India's first Incredible India Tourism Investors' summit witnessed 86 agreements worth Rs 15,000 crore being signed. Additionally, several major announcements were made to boost investment in the country's tourism sector.
Henceforth, the summit will be organised every year to boost the tourism sector. "We will assist and support investors for making India the tourist destination of choice," Mahesh Sharma, the tourism and culture minister, said in a statement.
The Tourism and Culture minister has assured the support and assistance of the ministry for investment projects. Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Chattisgarh signed 86 agreements during the tourism summit, which aggregates close to Rs 15,000 crore.
Gujarat exchanged Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) worth Rs 9,000 crore; Karnataka inked agreements worth Rs 2,600 crore, Rajasthan exchanged MoUs worth Rs 1,000 crore, Uttarakhand signed agreements worth Rs 500 crore and Chattisgarh inked deals worth Rs 12 crore, the ministry said in the statement.
Sharma referred to the tourist helpline in 12 languages and highlighted that a portal is being opened for suggestions,. "Let us join hands to give tourists a memorable experience," he added.
Tourism secretary Vinod Zutshi made announcements during the tourism summit. These include, Institutionalization of IITIs to be held annually with the next summit to be organised in September 2017, setting up of a task force headed by the secretary, tourism, with membership from relevant ministries, state governments and industry association to undertake strategic planning.
In addition, organising investor meets will be held in states with the support of the Ministry of Tourism.
The Incredible India Tourism Investment Summit (IITIS) 2016, which was held from September 21 yo 23 comprised meetings, seminars for various stakeholders such as travel agents, investors and the government.
The tourism ministry has conducted investor road shows in the US, UAE, Thailand, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Gujarat and Mumbai in a bid to attract potential investors.
