Hope to boost India's cultural heritage and diversity: Govt

New Delhi: Aiming to metastasize the cultural heritage and diversity of India, MoS Tourism and Culture (I/C) Prahlad Singh Patel urged for better coordination between Centre and States during the one-day National Conference of Tourism here on Tuesday.

Addressing the programme, the minister emphasised, "We need to change the perception of India in the mind of foreigners which will result in the optimistic promotion at the tourism sector."

On the same day, the Central government also launched a Hindi version of the Incredible India website — the mega portal of tourism in the country. The ministry also announced that the website will be launched in three other international languages- Arabic, Chinese and Spanish, sometime next month. A communiqué added, "The new Incredible India website was launched on June 14 last year. Whereas, since then it has attracted 85,84,928 total visitors including 65,31,722 Unique Visitors as on July 31 this year."

Moreover, tourism ministry launched the Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Certification portal during the programme. Citizens of India can now learn about tourism in a stipulated time, space, path and pace. The minister urged that all states and UTs follow the norms of UNESCO while making proposals for Heritage sites with the help of ASI.

During his address, Patel asserted that India has a great potential in adventure tourism, to attract more tourists. Recently, the ministry updated the Incredible India website with pictures from Jim Corbett National Park, Ranthambore National Park and other national parks. It previously featured pictures and videos of mostly monuments and tourist spots; and now showcases landscapes, waterfalls and tiger reserves. The new theme is said to be based on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appearance in Discovery channel's wildlife adventure show 'Man vs Wild'.

In another major move towards increasing the number of foreign tourists, the e-visa fee is to be reduced between USD 10 and USD 80, with a validity of 30 days to five years for 160 countries, the minister Prahlad Singh Patel also said.

However, there will be no visa fee for tourists from 14 Pacific Island nations belonging to FIPIC. This has been announced in consideration with both the MEA and MHA.

Tourism ministers and secretaries of 19 states and UTs attended the conference in the national capital and all states and UTs have been asked by centre to organise a survey program to assess the perception of foreign tourists on India.