Taking a cue from Italy and Saudi Arabia, which are flocked by huge number of pilgrims annually, the Centre is working out on a plan blending spiritualism with tourism wherein holy places and heritage monuments will be developed in different parts of the country to woo tourists.
“If you look at spiritual tourism throughout the world, it is very big. There is a huge footfall in Rome at Italy and same is the case of Mecca Medina... In a similar fashion we should also explore our rich potential aspects comprising epics and spirituality,” Tourism and Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma said on Friday. He was launching E-Ticketing for Taj Mahal in Agra and Humayun’s Tomb in New Delhi besides a 24x7 Incredible India Tourist Helpline along with Special Welcome Cards for foreign tourists arriving at nine International Airports.
launching a slew of schemes for promoting tourism and cultural sites, he said, “The Prime Minister has earmarked Rs500 crores for development of five tourist circuits such as Ganga, Krishna, Buddha, northeast and Kerala. This apart, development of seven pilgrimage destinations including Gaya, Amristar, Mathura and Velankanni would be developed.” About Rs100 crore have been earmarked for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive, besides a scheme for Heritage City Development has also been started, he said.
Speaking about the ‘Tourist Visas on Arrival’ initiative, Sharma said over 3000 visas were issued for tourists from the USA and 1,500 tourists from Australia. Elaborating on various proposals to boost tourism, he said the ministry is planning to offer end-to-end tourist services for international tourists, including GPS enabled taxis and helicopter services.
An official from the Tourism Ministry said that the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has identified 25 monuments to be developed as Model monuments. leh Palace at leh, Sravasti and Sarnath in UP, Humayun’s Tomb, Red Fort and Qutub Complex in New Delhi, Vaishali-Kolhua in Bihar and MP’s Khajuraho are among 25 monuments which will be provided with necessary tourist facilities including wi-fi, security, signages, encroachment free area and interpretation centres.