106 new projects to attracts tourists

To attract more tourists to India, the government would develop 106 new projects in the country at an estimated cost of Rs.398.33 crore (Rs.3.98 billion), Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said Thursday.

Informing the Rajya Sabha, the minister said that although the identification and development of tourists spots are undertaken by the state governments, the union tourism ministry does provide financial assistance for tourism projects - depending on the availability of funds.

'During the current financial year, 106 tourism projects have been cleared in the country and Rs.398.33 crore have been sanctioned for them,' she said.

The development of these tourist spots includes 17 projects in Jammu and Kashmir. They will be developed at an estimated cost of Rs.34.92 crore.

Till October this year, about 4.02 million tourists visited India. The figure saw a seven percent dip as compared to last year in the like period.

In 2008, about 5.37 million tourists had visited India.

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