Akihiro Ohta, Minister for Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) of Japan recently called on Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism and Culture. During the meeting both sides discussed the matters related to tourism sector to further strengthen the bilateral relations between India and Japan, and agreed to organise the Joint Working Group Meeting on Tourism at the earliest.
Naik said that India gives high importance to its relations with Japan and regular high level political exchanges have given a new maturity to the relations between the two countries. Recalling the recent visit by the Prime Minister of India to Japan in August 2014, the Minister noted that the visit has given further impetus to bilateral relations and has strengthened the bonds of friendship between the two countries.
He added that Japan is an important source market for India Tourism. During 2013 India received 2.2 lakh tourists from Japan. India also provided visa on arrival facility to the Japanese tourists since January 2010.Tourism, he opined, is an area which provides huge potential for cooperation for mutual benefit to both the countries.
Naik expressed India’s interest to learn from the Japanese experience in the field of tourism. There is huge potential for collaboration between the two countries in areas of tourism infrastructure and hotel industry, in particular budget hotels. Japan may consider investing in the hotel sector, as the same has been opened up for 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment on automatic basis.
According to Naik there is a strong interest of Japanese tourists in places connected with Buddhism in India. Japan may consider investment especially in the Buddhist Circuits. He noted that a world class facility has been developed at Ajanta and Ellora in the state of Maharashtra with the assistance of JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency).
The Minister stated that, since tourism is mainly an industry driven by the private sector, a regular interaction between the tour operators is a must. The Indian tour operators and various State Governments have been regularly participating in the Travel Fairs held in Japan every year. He added that India would also like to invite the Japanese tour operators and tourism industry to participate in tourism related events in India as this will help opening of new avenues of cooperation in this area.
