Govt's 100-day plan to boost tourism

As part of its efforts to boost the sector, the Tourism Ministry has decided to announce policy initiatives for promotion of innovative programmes like 'caravan' and 'heliport tourism' in its 100-day agenda.

Besides, new policy guidelines would be announced for promotion of 'wellness tourism' in India, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said.

She said new policy guidelines for promotion of caravan tourism and facilitating infrastructure for the project would be announced soon. "It will be developed as a niche tourism product."

Under the project, tourists will enjoy the countryside on a caravan -- a home on wheels complete with bed and attached bathroom. The government will formulate a policy to license such vehicles. It can be rented at Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000.

"The project would be successful in places where there is good and well-maintained road network and restaurants," Selja said, adding, at present they are targeting on Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, the Western ghats and hilly areas to promote caravan tourism.

Tourists can plan their overnight stay at places that have facilities for charging and replenishing water stock. The tourism minister said, the Ministry would release the Incredible India campaign in electronic media to promote domestic tourism.

Taking about reforms in hospitality education, she said decentralisation of counselling process in the government-owned Institute of Hotel Management's is underway. Besides, the academic calendar of the institutes would be converted into two semesters for each year.

She also said the Ministry has initiated schemes for certification of skills of those service providers working in the hospitality sector.