New tourism policy on anvil, says Khurana

PATNA, Oct 23: A new tourism policy to be announced soon will lay special emphasis on development of coastal tourist spots, pilgrim centr...

PATNA, Oct 23: A new tourism policy to be announced soon will lay special emphasis on development of coastal tourist spots, pilgrim centres and promotion of adventure and health tourism, Union tourism minister Madanlal Khurana said here today.

He told newsmen that the draft tourism policy alongwith a concrete action plan has already been sent to the Cabinet for its approval by this month end or early next month.

The minister said his department had already prepared a special package to attract foreign tourists, particularly non-resident Indians, during the Visit India Year’ beginning from April one, 1999 to March 31, 2000.

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Khurana said at the initiative of Prime Minister AB Vajpayee, a permanent coordination committee headed by him (Tourism Minister) and comprising Union ministers for Civil Aviation, Railway, Culture, Surface and Road Transport and the deputy chairman of the Planning Commission had been constituted to devise means for promoting tourism.

He said India earned over Rs 12,000 crore inforeign exchange through tourism during the last fiscal alone.