The Hindu Business Line : Centre plans to promote shopping tourism

Kolkata, Aug.18 The Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) plans to promote shopping tourism in a move to develop the handicraft and cottage industry sector and also create a market for artisans and craftsmen.

“We are targeting new products to attract different segment of tourists. One such initiative is shopping tourism which will help promote the handicraft and cottage industry,” Ms Ambika Soni, Union Minister for Tourism & Culture told newspersons here today at the 57th Travel & Tourism Fair (TTF).

Locations identified

The Ministry has already identified Noida in Uttar Pradesh, Shilpagram near Hyderabad in Andhra Pradesh, Bhubaneswar in Orissa and Aurangabad in Maharashtra, where it plans to promote shopping tourism. On whether these places will be duty-free zones, Ms Soni said the ministry was currently evaluating different options to promote this concept.

According to her, the MoT will also provide financial assistance upto 25 per cent of the project cost for large tourism projects including shopping tourism.

Besides, the ministry also plans to introduce visa-on-arrival scheme to facilitate inflow of tourists during the Commonwealth Games in 2010 to be held in Delhi. “It is estimated that by 2010 India may receive close to 10 million foreign tourists. There is a requirement of about 1,50,000 hotel rooms because of the Commonwealth Games. Keeping this in mind, we have proposed to the Home Ministry to introduce visa-on-arrival scheme,” Ms Soni said.

Now visa-on-arrival is not granted. Foreign travellers from 18 countries are granted long-term visas with multiple entry options. According to Ms Soni, the ministry expects the number of foreign travellers to India to touch five million in 2007 .