'Incredible India' roadshows in US to woo American tourists

Showcasing India as a "must visit" tourist destination, the Indian government organised roadshows in four US cities to woo American travellers and make them aware of magnificent holiday options in the country.

The 'Incredible India' roadshow was held in New York, Houston, Chicago and St Louis from June 18 to 22 during which American travel enthusiasts walked through various tourist destinations digitally and informed about travel options through experts and tour operators.

Minister of State for Tourism K J Alphons, speaking at a roadshow in Houston, said India would double the number of tourists from US within the next three years as visiting India is not just a vacation but a lifetime cultural experience that enriches mind and body.

"Last year 1.37 million Americans visited India and we had 1.25 million Indians visiting America so we want to double these numbers in three years. America is our biggest tourism partner," he said.

"India has everything that any travel enthusiast can dream about and explore; be that Himalayas, splendid architectural monuments, deserts, seacoasts, backwaters, royal trains trips, tropical forests, performing arts, paintings, trekking, cycling, rafting, paragliding, medical tourism, diverse cuisine and vibrant culture," he said.

Assuring the safety of tourists in India, the minister said, "India is one of the most secure countries in the world - unfortunately some media have the habit of exaggerating what's happening in a country of 1.3 billion people. You have stray incidents happen these are stray incidents. India is a very very safe country. The number of tourists visiting India is increasing and many of them, including women, are travelling alone."