A parliamentary panel today expressed dismay at the Tourism Ministry's "failure" to give thrust to Chinese language so as to ensure "quality guides" to Chinese travellers and recommended that the government augments its efforts in this direction.
The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture, in its 229th action taken report, also recommended extension of 'Visa on Arrival' facility at all major ports of the country where cruise handling facilities are available.
"The Committee notes with dismay that the Ministry has failed to grasp the importance of the recommendation of the Committee to give thrust to the Chinese language. What the Ministry has submitted is a routine bureaucratic reply.
"The Committee further recommends that the Ministry should augment its efforts to provide quality guides to Chinese travellers. The Committee may be apprised of the efforts made by the Ministry to incentivise foreign language training courses," the report, tabled in Rajya Sabha today, said.
"The Committee also recommends that Visa on Arrival facility may be extended to all major ports of the country where cruise ship handling facilities are available," it said.
The panel also asked the Ministry to involve all north-eastern states in tourism promotion activities every year and sought clearing of bottlenecks in releasing funds for tourism promotion in these states.
