India and Japan want to strengthen cooperation in tourism
New Delhi, Feb 12 : India and Japan today resolved to strengthen cooperation in tourism sector with the two countries
expressing their intention to sign an MoU.
An understanding to this effect was made at a meeting
between the visiting Japanese Senior Vice-Minister of Tourism Hiroshi Kajiyama and Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi at his office here.
The two leaders also said both the countries will identify areas for working together and explore new opportunities in tourism sector, especially in the field of human resource development, exchange of tour operators, investment in the tourism sector and exchange of information related to the sector.
India and Japan were important tourism markets to each other. Japan was one of the top 10 tourist generating markets for India as far as inbound tourism is concerned.
The Tourism Ministry had hosted a total of 25 hospitality guests in 2009-10, 15 guests in 2010-11 and 14 guests in the year 2011-12 from Japan.
This year, so far 9 guests have visited India under hospitality scheme. The guests include TV teams, Travel Agents, Tour Operator and media representatives.
There is a strong interest of Japanese Tourists in places connected with Buddhism in India. Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has offered a loan of 7,331 million Japanese Yen (about Rs 300 crore) for Development of Ajanta Ellora Conservation and Development Programme -- Phase II.
India will be holding roadshows in Tokyo on February 18 and Osaka on February 20.