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Robust rupee affecting overseas tourist inflow
Tuesday, 13 November 2007, 20:30 IST
New Delhi: The rising rupee against the US dollar has affected foreign tourist inflow to India and the issue has been taken up with the finance ministry, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said here Tuesday.
"Appreciation of rupee has created some problem for tourists. They are now getting less rupees against a dollar," Soni said.
"I have received complaints from the hotel industry, tourists and travel agencies. I understand their problem. After discussing with my ministry officials, I have conveyed this to finance minister," Soni said on the sideline of a healthcare summit.
The minister however did not give details of the number of tourists hit by this economic phenomenon.
Indian rupee has appreciated 12 percent in comparison to the US dollar in the last six months. Currently one dollar is around 
39.50.
Soni said $6.5 billion investment is in the pipeline for medical tourism. The government is also planning to build around 150,000 hotel rooms through the public-private-partnership model.
Of the total rooms coming up, 100,000 would be budget rooms and the rest would be premium rooms.
The minister said the tourism ministry will train over 150,000 people to manage tourists through the bread-and-breakfast scheme.
In this scheme, tourists will have the option of staying at ordinary residences to get a feel of Indian lifestyle and culture.
"We are planning to impart training ranging from one week to three weeks to these people to handle tourists better," she added.
Source: IANS
39.50.
Soni said $6.5 billion investment is in the pipeline for medical tourism. The government is also planning to build around 150,000 hotel rooms through the public-private-partnership model.
Of the total rooms coming up, 100,000 would be budget rooms and the rest would be premium rooms.
The minister said the tourism ministry will train over 150,000 people to manage tourists through the bread-and-breakfast scheme.
In this scheme, tourists will have the option of staying at ordinary residences to get a feel of Indian lifestyle and culture.
"We are planning to impart training ranging from one week to three weeks to these people to handle tourists better," she added.
Source: IANS