India to sign a fresh agreement with China to boost tourism

India had signed a MoU on tourism cooperation with China in 2002 which expired in 2012.

On the eve of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday discussed signing of an agreement with the country to give a boost to the domestic tourism.

“One of the agendas discussed was building tourism relationship with China," said a top government source.

Modi is likely to sign a fresh Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China on his three-day visit, which begins on Thursday.

 

India had earlier signed an MoU in 2002, which expired in 2012. Modi might also announce e-visa facility to Chinese tourists, the person added.

“It is the PM's prerogative to take a decision on this," the source said.     

According to official estimates, China tops the list of highest spenders ($165 billion) on international tourism.

Although the share of Chinese tourists to India in total foreign tourist arrival has stood at 2.5 per cent in 2014, only 0.18 per cent of the total outbound Chinese tourists visit India.

Civil aviation ministry sources said Modi might also announce additional flights to China.

At present, only Air India flies to Shanghai. SpiceJet had closed its operation to Guangzhou and Jet Airways had stopped flying to Shanghai a few years ago.