To push tourism sector in Delhi further, the AAP government will kick-start new initiatives on World Tourism Day including a cycle tour around the historic sites in Mehrauli area here.
Tourism Department has decided to celebrate World Tourism Day on September 27 and will organise bouquet of activities to propel tourism sector in Delhi, a senior official said.
"We will organised cycle tour around the historic sites in Mehrauli area, which will also cover Qutub Minar and other historical monuments," Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said.
Cycle tour will cover seven-kilometre area and will see participation of around 200 cyclists on the day of launch. Kapil Mishra along with other government officials will peddle to cover 12 tourists attractions included in the tour. The government has decided to make it a weekly event.
Delhi government will also start free Wi-Fi service at Dilli Haat in south Delhi making it first Wi-Fi hub under the Delhi government's populist scheme announced in the AAP's poll manifesto.
"First 20 minutes will be free for the people visiting Delhi Haat. Usually tourists stay here for maximum of two hours. We will closely observe Wi-Fi usage pattern and analytics based on which it will be further implemented at other tourist sites," Mishra said.
On World Tourism day, Delhi government will also offer free rides to handicapped travelers in Hop-On Hop-Off (HOHO) bus. Even tourism department sites will remain free throughout the day.
The government is planning to welcome international tourists with garland at Delhi airport on tourism day.
"On World Tourism day we are planning to welcome international tourist coming to Delhi airport with floral garland. The average stay of a tourist in Delhi is very low at 1.2 days as compared to an average of 4.95 days in Bangkok, 2.7 days in Paris and 4.2 days in London. Delhi is at the bottom of the spectrum and we need to increase this number by giving more tourism option," he explained.
To give an overall boost to tourism, we have asked students of Delhi Institute of Hotel Management at Lajpat Nagar to host a street food festival. This will give an option to citizen of this city to enjoy lip smacking delicacies at reasonable price, Mishra added.
