Visit India 2009 Plan

In an effort to boost the confidence of visitors and tourists after the Mumbai attacks, the Union Ministry of Tourism, India is launching a new scheme 'Visit India 2009' offering various incentives to foreign tourists and tourism industry. These value addition services will be offered to tourists visiting the country during the period April 2009 - March 2010.

The proposed incentives would offer one complimentary international air passage for traveling companion, one night complimentary stay in the hotel booked by the traveler, complimentary sightseeing in any one city of their choice and a complimentary rural eco holiday. The idea is to provide one additional service for every service paid for, by the tourists with the help of top airlines and organizations like Hotel Association of India (HAI) and Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO).

All three major airlines of the country — Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher —have joined this endeavor of the government by providing the additional air passage for traveling companions. Furthermore, all member hotels of the HAI will be offering the service of complimentary night stay in the hotel booked by the tourist. Members of the IATO, an organization recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, will offer one complimentary local sightseeing tour in any one of the cities visited by the tourist.

The Department of Tourism also has plans to organize road shows in countries like Singapore, Canada, UK, Japan and Australia, in joint venture with the IATO. The ongoing year will see a rise in the advertisements and marketing through trade fairs and exhibitions to draw the attention of foreign tourists from across the world. Moreover, there are possibilities of constructing helipads in various places to introduce the helicopter services for the tourists.