core sector communique

Subodh Kant Calls for Strengthening Tourism Cooperation with Mauritius

Union Tourism Minister Shri Subodh Kant Sahai has called for strengthening cooperation in tourism sector between India and Mauritius. He said this when the Minister for Tourism of Mauritius Mr. Yeung Sik Yuen called on him in New Delhi today. The Minister said both the countries have tremendous scope to develop tourism infrastructure with mutual help. Recalling the age old historic and cultural ties between both the nations Shri Sahai said it would be appropriate if we strengthen our ties by promoting bilateral tourism. He suggested that India and Mauritius could consider exchanging experience in destination management and may consider participation in Tourism events of each other. Shri Sahai said faculty exchange programmes can be organized between the Human Resource Development Institutes in India and Mauritius. He said a special programme can be organized wherein the HRD experts from India and Mauritius can visit some of the Institutes in both the countries and interact with the teaching faculty through conferences and seminars. The Union Tourism Minister was of the opinion that tour operators and travel agents of both the countries may interact with each other in order to promote two way tourism between India and Mauritius. He said the possibilities for promoting more package tours in either of the countries could also be explored by the travel trade of two countries. Shri Sahai said both the countries may like to explore the possibilities of promoting investment in the field of hotel industry tourism and infrastructural development. India allows 100% FDI in Hotel sector on automated basis, the Minister added. Mr.Yuen expressed the hope that more and more tourists from both the sides will visit each other’s country. He said both the countries have enormous potential to strengthen bilateral ties by promoting tourism. He was of the opinion that tourism can be linked with overall cooperation between both the countries. Approx. 18,000 tourists from Mauritius visited India during 2009 which rose to more than 21,000 in 2010. India Tourism Office located in Johannesburg is responsible for promoting India as a tourist destination in Mauritius.