Union Minister for Tourism K J Alfons has said that Mumbai should become the Tourism Hub of India in view of all the foreign cruise liners and other shipping calling into this port. However, cruise tourism numbers need to be increased and around Rs 25 crore has been spent on building a cruise terminal here that would cater to all incoming cruise liners and ship-bound tourists, he said.

Describing OTM 2019 as the Gateway to India’s travel markets, Alfons — while addressing a gathering of delegates, travel agents and officials at the OTM 2019 – pointed out that 1,71,000 Indians went on cruise tours while 169 cruise ships visited to India. “Not many know that 73% of the Himalayas are in India, or about our scenic locations for filming, river rafting, skiing, trekking etc. The best way of discovering them is though travel and our Indians are spending  quite a lot– per capita—in doing that,” he said.

Emphasizing India’s status at number three in power and performance while deriving US$ 234 billion in tourism revenues — of which 87% came from domestic tourism and Rs 177 lakh from foreign tourist arrivals, the Minister said “I want to ensure that our figures double in the next three years where tourism income and employment is concerned.

Replying to questions, he said the Indian government would provide clearance in the shortest time possible for film shooting and cinema projects on locations in India. “The film Sound of Music touched me so much that I chose to visit Austria, which is the location of the film,” he said, while adding that movies have an incredible effect on viewers, as could be seen from countries like China whose population know much about the film “Dangal” and PM of India.

Urging for states like Himachal Pradesh and others to have a liberal outlook, he said construction of log huts should be allowed there to facilitate adventurers and trekkers in taking rest. India needed sustainable tourism but without damaging the universe as both needed to work together, he said..

India’s number of foreign tourist arrivals is four times the global tourism growth rate, but there is a need to work with other countries in increasing incoming tourist figures, Alfons emphasized while also releasing the OTM 2019’s Cine Tourism Report and the OTM 2019 directory. He also presented the OTM 2019’s Best Tourism Pavilion award to Mauritius and the award was received by The Mauritius Tourism Minister.

The Minister said that about 82 million people are employed in the Indian tourism industry and the last four years had witnessed creation of 13.9 million jobs for people including school dropouts, less educated and others. “We need around 100 million toilets in India though today 97% of the population has access to toilets. Also, today not a single Indian is without banking access and about Rs 5.40 crores has been transferred to these accounts, while 16 million houses have been given to the needy, besides 26 million power connections being given – though please note that it is FREE electricity connection – and not FREE electricity.”