Ministry of Tourism & Bengal govt to collaborate
The ministry of tourism in collaboration with the West Bengal government is planning to set up a joint task force, Tourism Security & Facilitation Organisation (TSFO), by the end of this fiscal to boost security and safety mechanism of the country.
The tourism sector had been one of the worst hit after the November 26 attack in Mumbai.
In order to address such security threats arising out of militant attacks or terrorist activity, a task force comprising ex-servicemen and ex-army personnel will be formed.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the 72nd Travel and Tourism fair, Sujit Banerjee, tourism secretary, Government of India said, “The Centre, in association with state governments, is planning to set up a Tourism Security & Facilitation Organisation this fiscal. The finer details have not yet been finalised by the ministry.”
The task force will be a 50:50 joint venture between the state and the Centre for the first three years. For the next three years it would be 75:25, state giving 75 per cent and rest coming from the Centre, he said.
More From This Section
“We need full cooperation from the state governments and hope West Bengal will take the initiative,” he added.
This apart, as part of the UPA government’s 100-day agenda, the ministry has taken up skill upgrade and development programme for all school drop-outs or pass-outs, standard VIII upwards.
Basic hotel management skills will be imparted to the students and a stipend will be provided for 14 weeks.
“Training will be imparted in batches of 25-30 at all the 21 institutes of hotel management and catering run by the ministry of tourism and culture. We have already initiated the programme in the 100day agenda. The deadline for application is on July 21. Already, we have recieved some 200 applications,” said Banerjee.
This apart, the ministry is looking at promoting caravan, ayurveda or wellness tourism, helipad tourism in places which do not have road connectivity in a big way this fiscal.
The ministry is counting on innovative tour packages and focused marketing to increase foreign tourist arrivals which has shown signs of improvement since February.
“Caravan tourism has great scope and its very popular in Western countries. It is a niche product where we want to promote the concept of adventure. We will be looking at 25-acre plus properties. A land bank has to be created by states, and infrasructure funding can be done by the Centre. We hope to start it off this fiscal,” said Banerjee.
In West Bengal, a plot had been identified in the Dooars, informed a state ministry official.