Ambika Soni to open China National Tourism Administration

Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni will inaugurate the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) office here today.

New Delhi, Aug 20 : Union Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni will inaugurate the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA) office here today.

The inaugural ceremony will be held in presence of CNTA Chairman Shao Qiwei.Qiwei arrived here on a week-long visit on the invitation of Soni. The visit is in line with the action plan of 'India-China Year of Friendship Through Tourism 2007'.

The two sides will also attend the joint meeting, which is being organised by China-India Tourism Forum, later in the day, to promote cooperation in tourism between the two countries. The meeting will be attended by 120 delegates from the two countries.

India tourism views China as an important market for its inbound tourism. To tap China's outbound market, India is aggressively promoting India in China.

In 2005, India received 46, 805 tourists from China while 6,29,947 Indian tourists travelled to China during the same year.

Buddhism continues to be huge draw. Besides the above, yoga, and Bollywood are other major attractions.

India Tourism has already taken initiatives to showcase India's Buddhist attractions in China by launching advertising campaign termed 'Walk with Buddha'.

India Tourism is further strengthening its promotion and marketing initiatives in the Chinese markets.

ANI