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World Bank to help boost Indian tourism

The World Bank is all set to support tourism sector in India. The Tourism Ministry, which is planning to set up a task force, will hold investment summit annually to boost tourism in the country.

 “We will assist and support investors for making India the tourist destination of their choice,” said Minister of State for Tourism and Culture Dr Mahesh Sharma.

Speaking at the valedictory session of the Incredible India Tourism Investors’ Summit (IITIS) 2016 organised in Delhi, Dr Sharma reiterated that his ministry supports and will assist investment projects. 

He referred to the tourist helpline in 12 languages and highlighted that a portal is being opened for inviting suggestions. “Let us join hands to give tourists a memorable experience,” he added. 

Meanwhile, the World Bank is supporting India’s Buddhist Circuit development and will provide aid for sustainable tourism development including through funds, said Cecile Fruman, Global Director, Trade and Competitiveness, World Bank. 

She further stated that the tourism sector is among the top sectors with potential to create jobs. 

“India must articulate a strategy across the country, build hard and soft infrastructure including IT, plan investments, build skills and undertake stakeholder dialogue to boost tourism”, she added.

The tourism ministry also announced that states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, and Chattisgarh exchanged 86 MoUs during the session and many more are in the pipeline, aggregating close to Rs 15,000 crores during Tourism Investor summit.  

“Many more projects and MoUs are in the pipeline,” the ministry added.  

The announcements made by Tourism secretary Vinod Zutshi included institutionalisation of IITIS to be held annually with the next Summit to be organized in September 2017; Setting up of a task force headed by Secretary, Tourism, with membership from relevant ministries, state governments, and industry associations to undertake strategic planning; Setting up of an investor facilitation desk to handhold investors and facilitate projects; and, organising investor meets in States with the support of Ministry of Tourism. 


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