Centre pushes for promoting tourism to defeat terrorism

RAIPUR: In a bid to dispel the "negative perception" about India of foreign tourists and to "defeat terrorism with tourism", the Centre has initiated efforts to attract visitors by promoting infrastructure, cleanliness, security and hospitality in the country.

Concerned with the safety of foreign students, the Centre is also planning to start a toll-free number service for them, which can be used for the round-the-clock assistance.

"Sometimes message goes out (in the world) that India is not safe due to incidents like rape, terrorist and naxal activities. We are making new attempts keeping in view to defeat terrorism by promoting tourism. We believe tourism will put an end to terrorism," said Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Mahesh Chandra Sharma.

He was speaking to reporters after attending the opening ceremony of an aerobridge here at Raipur's Swami Vivekanand airport.

Sharma said his ministry was planning to launch some projects in this regard on the occasion of 'Sushasan Diwas' on December 25.

"These (projects and plans) will change the perception of tourists that it is not that India which was used to be earlier, it is not that Chhattisgarh which was used to be earlier," he said.

Sharma said the Tourism ministry wanted to focus on key issues like infrastructure, cleanliness, security and hospitality to attract tourists in the country as well as in Chhattisgarh.

Expressing concern over safety of foreign tourists, the minister said, "the department will start a toll-free number service for the international tourists visiting India, which can be used for round-the-clock assistance.

"Besides, a proposal had been taken up with the Home Ministry to enact a strong law so that nobody touches a foreign tourist or creates any problem (with them)," he added.