Working out a multi-pronged strategy, Tourism Ministry has set a target to attract one per cent share in global tourist arrivals for the next year.
Speaking at 'Make in India' national workshop here today, Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said that to achieve the target a multi-pronged strategy is being worked out.
"The focus of the government is on improving the cleanliness, hospitality and safety aspects of tourism," he said adding "the synergy of the three Ministries - Tourism, Culture, and Civil Aviation - will be improved substantially to take tourism to new heights."
Highlighting the aspect of accessibility,Sharma said good connectivity to tourist destinations is the key factor for improving tourism and the Ministry has allotted Rs 500 crore for the development of theme based tourist circuits.
Accordingly, the Ministry has drawn plans for the development of five important circuits - Ganga circuit, Krishna, Buddha, North East, and Kerala circuits.
Elaborating the new initiatives, Sharma said that a 'Cruise plan' will be ready for implementation soon.
He also said a comprehensive plan will be prepared with the Ministry of Environment and Forests for promoting the wild-life tourism.
Referring to hygienic aspect, Sharma said that since Dhabas along the highways are very popular among tourists, the owners will be trained to provide hygienic food to tourists and travelers.
Similarly, the souvenir industry should be developed to give fillip to local skills and craftsmanship.
Among the steps taken recently, the Government has identified 25 monuments for Adarsh Smarak Campaign, in which they will be developed as model monuments.
The initiative of E-Ticketing at monuments has already begun with the launch of the facility for Taj Mahal at Agra and Humayun's Tomb at Delhi.
Sharma said that his focus will be to promote both foreign as well as domestic tourism.
