Maxime Bernier, Minister of Tourism, Canada recently called on Union Tourism Minister K Chiranjeevi. Both sides resolved to strengthen cooperation in the tourism sector. It was also decided that both the countries will identify areas for working together and explore new opportunities in the tourism sector, especially in the field of human resource development, exchange of tour operators, investment in the tourism sector and exchange of information related to tourism. The possibility of signing an agreement/MoU between India and Canada was also discussed.
Furthermore, it was agreed that tour operators and travel agents of both the countries will interact with each other in order to promote two-way tourism between India and Canada. The possibilities of promoting more package tours in either of the countries could also be explored by the travel trade of two countries. In addition, both sides explored the possibilities of promoting joint venture investment in the field of hotel industry and tourism infrastructural sector. Now that hotels and tourism sector has been opened for Foreign Direct Investment up to 100 per cent on automatic routes, Canadian investment in tourism infrastructure in India could be one of the major areas of cooperation.
Canada is one of India’s primary source markets. Foreign tourist arrivals from Canada to India have increased considerably over the past few years. Both India and Canada can benefit greatly by sharing experience and know-how in destination management and management of heritage sites. India could benefit from the initiatives undertaken by Canada in the field of Adventure Tourism.
