Rural India offers a "unique experience"

Gour Kanjilal, the executive director of the Indian Association of Tour Operators, has said that rural villages in India can offer tourists diverse cultures and "the tranquillity of nature".

Mr Kanjilal adds that rural areas and villages have "unique" selling points, offering a wide variety of food, crafts and languages, reports Express Travel World.

The executive director's comments follow the news that the Indian government has targeted tourism as an important element of helping to create jobs and assist economic development at a local level.

As part of a new scheme, 50 villages will receive funding to allow them to target an increasing number of long haul tourists.

Commenting on the initiative, Rakesh Mathur, of Welcom Heritage, told Express Travel World: "India, traditionally, is a long haul destination and provision of rural tourist destinations in its basket of destinations will go a long way in showcasing and marketing India in a better perspective."

It was reported recently that Visa International has joined with India's ministry of tourism to promote the country as one of Asia's top destinations, reports India's Afternoon Dispatch and Courier.

Posted by Just the Flight, 18 March 2006 16:22

News tags