BEIJING,7 Apr: Union Tourism and Culture Minister Smt. Ambika Soni has said that the Stakeholders in tourism sector must explore the possibilities of making tourism innovative and affordable. She was addressing a select gathering in Beijing Today after inaugurating the India Tourism Office. She said the India tourism Office in Beijing has been set up as per agreed plan of action for India-China Friendship Year Celebrations during 2007. She said the office would further increase people to people contact between the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations between India and China further. The Minister asked the tour operators and local travel agents and Airlines representatives to increase the volume of traffic from China to India as India has several tourism products to offer to them such as special trains to Buddhist sites, new luxury trains and some exciting lesser-known tourist destinations.
The Indian Ambassador in China, Smt Nirupma Rao, and Shri Arun Anand, Vice-President Indian Association of Tour Operators also spoke on the occasion.Smt Ambika Soni also inaugurated a photo-exhibition by Ms Rita Zhao, the Chinese photographer who visited India during the Friendship Through Tourism Year.
To mark the opening of the office, the Ministry of Tourism has planned an Incredible India Evening wherein the best of Indian Culture and Cuisine will be showcased. This event will be held on 7th April 2008 in Beijing where the Chairman, China National Tourism Authority, Mr Shao Qiwei, will be the Chief Guest.India Tourism Office in Beijing is the 14th Overseas Office of India Tourism Department and is presently being headed by Acting Director Mr.R.S. Meena.The Ministry of Tourism is also supporting the inauguration event with a branding exercise by advertisements in the outdoor media.