Chinese delegation meets Tourism Min ahead of Modi's visit

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to China, a high-level delegation from Guangxi Autonomous Region of China met Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma here today to promote bilateral cooperation in tourism.
Governor of Guangxi, Chen Wu, who is heading the delegation, said, efforts will be made to promote the Chinese tourist flow to India.
Modi is slated to begin his China visit from tomorrow and a bilateral agreement on tourism is to be signed between the two countires during the visit.
Sharma said that there is a huge gap between the inbound and outbound tourist flow between India and China.

Last year 6,76,000 Indians have visited China, while only 1,74,000 Chinese had visited India in the same year, which shows a huge gap between inbound and outbound tourist flow between the two countries.
Sharma also mentioned that India is in the process of developing various circuits out of which Buddhist Circuit and Himalayan Circuit can be of great interest to the Chinese tourists coming to India.

India is also organising an exhibition of contemporary art in Shanghai in November this year.
"By taking such initiatives, both countries can promote cultural ties to help boost the growth of tourism," the Minister said.

2015 is being observed as a 'Visit India Year' by China and 2016 will be 'Visit China Year' by India.
"All these developments should encourage the people from China to visit India for tourism purpose," Sharma added.
With the aim of attracting more Indian tourists, Chen said Guangxi is a beautiful region with a unique natural beauty and an interesting coastline.
Sharma assured the delegation that the government will surely put Guangxi on the tourist map and help promote tourism to the region.
Guangxi Zhang Autonomous Region is located in South-Central China.
The delegation included Mo Gongming, Secretary-General of the People's Government of Guangxi Zhang Autonomous Region and Yao Jing, Minister Counselor, Embassy of China and senior officials of Tourism of Guangxi among others.