New Delhi, Nov 1 (IANS) India’s share in international tourism is very low and the focus is on striving hard to increase it to at least one percent, Tourism Minister K. Chiranjeevi said Thursday after taking charge of the ministry.
The actor-turned-politician said India has a vast tourism potential with its variety of flora, fauna and monuments which is yet to be exploited to its maximum.
Referring to the three0fold increase in the 12th Plan outlay for tourism, Chiranjeevi said this will go to a great extent in providing jobs for 2.5 crore people in the country.
“The present share of India in international tourism is very low and we should strive hard to increase it up to at least one percent,” he told reporters.
India’s share of inbound tourism in international market is 0.65 percent.
The minister said that with his 30 years of experience in cinema, he will seek the cooperation of cinestars in promotion of “Incredible India”.
He said he will discuss bottlenecks and constraints in the development of tourism infrastructure with various other ministries.
Chiranjeevi floated his Praja Rajyam Party and won 18 seats in 2009 Andhra Pradesh assembly elections. He merged his party with Congress last year and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April this year.
