The maiden South Asian countries’ Tour Operators Conclave convened by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Government of India today in New Delhi urged countries in the region to set-up a joint forum to promote tourism. The event was attended by over 30 participants from eight countries of the region, including policy makers and private stakeholders of the tourism industry.
The conclave deliberated ways to promote travel within the region by removing the current entry barriers. Inaugurating the conclave, Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister for Tourism, Government of India highlighted the diverse range of destinations and products the region has and the “immense growth potential” the region possesses for tourism. However, Sahai said that this potential has not been utilised so far. “If it could be fully utilised, the SAARC region has the potential to steer the economy of the world. In fact, most of the SAARC nations have already realised this potential at individual level, but with a concerted effort, the success achieved would be manifold,” he said. He added that the MoT will be holding the International Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi in September 2012 wherein scholars and tour operators of the region will be invited to participate. At the conclave there were also presentations by representatives from Afghanisatan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, etc. Addressing the delegates, Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India informed that constant deliberations are required within the regional partners to improve travel within the region. “We have to improve connectivity, both air and by road within the region. Air connectivity does not mean just adding more flights, it should be made affordable travel possible as well,” he added. He said that visa on arrival facilities for travel within the region should also be looked. “We have to act as one nation,” he concluded. Speaking on behalf of Indian travel fraternity, Rajiv Kohli, Vice President, IATO, said that the countries in the region are culturally very close, but very far when it comes to travel relations. He believed more open border policies will enhance travel within the region. “If we do that, we need not to look at Europe for tourism arrivals,” he said.
Click here to see the original article>The conclave deliberated ways to promote travel within the region by removing the current entry barriers. Inaugurating the conclave, Subodh Kant Sahai, Minister for Tourism, Government of India highlighted the diverse range of destinations and products the region has and the “immense growth potential” the region possesses for tourism. However, Sahai said that this potential has not been utilised so far. “If it could be fully utilised, the SAARC region has the potential to steer the economy of the world. In fact, most of the SAARC nations have already realised this potential at individual level, but with a concerted effort, the success achieved would be manifold,” he said. He added that the MoT will be holding the International Buddhist Conclave in Varanasi in September 2012 wherein scholars and tour operators of the region will be invited to participate. At the conclave there were also presentations by representatives from Afghanisatan, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, etc. Addressing the delegates, Sultan Ahmed, Minister of State for Tourism, Government of India informed that constant deliberations are required within the regional partners to improve travel within the region. “We have to improve connectivity, both air and by road within the region. Air connectivity does not mean just adding more flights, it should be made affordable travel possible as well,” he added. He said that visa on arrival facilities for travel within the region should also be looked. “We have to act as one nation,” he concluded. Speaking on behalf of Indian travel fraternity, Rajiv Kohli, Vice President, IATO, said that the countries in the region are culturally very close, but very far when it comes to travel relations. He believed more open border policies will enhance travel within the region. “If we do that, we need not to look at Europe for tourism arrivals,” he said.