Union Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons on Thursday said the tourism industry needs to improve its hospitality services as they give India an edge over other countries.
Presenting the National Tourism Awards, the Minister said tourism is the cornerstone of India’s economy and a major source of employment and foreign exchange.
“…hospitality offered…is the distinguishing feature of India… It is the responsibility of every citizen to build the image of the country as safe for anyone to travel,” he said.
Flood-hit Kerala is now ready to receive tourists since hotels and tourist sites are operational, he added.
The Minister also announced that India will be the host country for the official World Tourism Day celebrations for the UNWTO in 2019.
Tourism app
The Incredible India mobile app was also launched at the event.
“The app has been designed keeping in mind preferences of the modern traveller, and follows trends, technologies of international standards,” an official release said.