By Bernama
Beijing : India has invited Chinese entrepreneurs to be part of its efforts to develop high standard tourism infrastructure in the country, Press Trust of India (PTI) reported.
“We are aiming to put in place high standard tourism infrastructure across the country. Hereto, we feel there is ample scope for participation of Chinese entrepreneurship,” Union Minister for Tourism Ambika Soni said here.
She also said India and China would hold festivals in each other’s country in 2010.
Soni was speaking here at an “Incredible India Evening” of Indian classical dance and exquisite Indian cuisine, organised as part of India’s aggressive campaign to woo Chinese tourists.
India launched its tourism office in Beijing Monday. A week-long Indian Food Festival by master chefs specially flown in from India is also underway till April 14.
Noting that last year alone, more than half a million visitors were exchanged between the two countries, she said these numbers in “a relative sense are statistically insignificant” when the combined population of both countries were over 40 percent of the world’s population.
“But new beginnings have been made; there will be increasing participation of our entrepreneurs from the travel trade industry in travel marts and road shows,” Soni said.
A fusion of Bharatnatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Mohiniattam, Manipuri, including its martial art form Thang-ta and Odissi categories, choreographed by eminent danseuse Leela Samson, cast a spell on a large number of Chinese and other foreigners present among the audience.
Indian ambassador Nirupama Rao was present at the event compered by actor Kabir Bedi and Chinese photographer Rita Zhao.