Commonwealth Games 2010, domestic tourism top agendas on Kumari Selja, Union Tourism Minister’s list

Preparations for the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010 and to give a boost to domestic tourism will be the top agendas for Kumari Selja, Union Tourism Minister. Acknowledging the work done by her predecessor, Ambika Soni, Selja while assuming charge of her Ministry said that while preparations for the Games were on in full swing, work will have to be fast-tracked. According to a report in Times of India, recognising the dip in foreign tourists, Selja said, “We are expecting about one lakh tourists during the Games and steps are underway to cater to their needs.”

Admitting the drop in foreign tourist arrivals in recent months, she said due to the Mumbai terror attack and the economic slowdown not many foreigners are visiting the country. The number of foreign tourist arrivals in April 2009 was 3.71 lakh as compared to 3.84 lakh in April 2008 and 3.51 lakh in the same month in 2007. “We have to launch a vigorous campaign to attract foreign tourists. It is also a major a source of foreign exchange earnings,” stated Selja. The number of domestic tourism was 527 million in 2007 covering adventure and cultural sites, pilgrimages and wildlife parks. Selja