Pitching for accelerated development of the tourism sector, the Union Tourism Minister, Mr Subodh Kant Sahai, today sought active involvement of industry to achieve the target of increasing foreign arrivals to 11 million by 2016.

At present, India attracts nearly six million foreigners annually.

“Efforts are on to promote India as a 365-day tourist destination to attract tourists with specific interest and to ensure repeat visits by tourists and also diversifying the tourism products by developing and promoting the nascent and upcoming niche products of the industry,” Mr Sahai said at the National Tourism Awards 2010-11 ceremony here.

The President, Ms Pratibha Patil, gave away prizes to 78 awardees in over 50 categories.

Mr Sahai said, “The tourism sector is actively led by the industry and only facilitated by the government.”

Awards were given to States and Union Territories, hotels, travel and tour operators and private organisations among others in recognition of their performance in their respective fields and also to encourage healthy competition with an aim to promote tourism.

While Madhya Pradesh got four awards in different categories, Sikkim got three awards for tourism infrastructure and tourism related programmes.

Tourism industry being the dynamic sector, every year the categories of awards are reviewed with new categories being added to recognise excellence in diverse fields in accordance with the requirements of changing times.

In an attempt to encourage States and Union Territories to put in place effective mechanism for maintaining cleanliness at tourist destinations, a new category of award for ‘The Best State: Campaign Clean India' has been introduced this year.

In addition two more categories of awards for the Best Heritage City and Best Heritage walk have also been introduced this year.

Besides Madhya Pradesh and Sikkim, Rajasthan and Kerala also bagged tourism awards for 2010—11.

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Hyderabad was adjudged the best airport and New Delhi Railway Station got the award for best tourist friendly station in the country.

Earlier, in his welcome address, Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed said that tourism is an industry which works with synergy with all stakeholders putting in their combined efforts to achieve desired results.

He said the ministry looks forward to continued support from all stakeholders in ensuring that India occupies its rightful place as a leading destination in the world.

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