Union Cabinet approves MoU between India and South Africa in the field of Tourism
The Union Cabinet has given its ex-post facto approval for a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India and South Africa for cooperation in the field of Tourism.
Decision in this regard was taken by the Union Cabinet Meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi. The MoU was signed in July 2016.
Objectives of the MoU
- Expand bilateral cooperation in the tourism sector.
- Encourage cooperation between tourism stakeholders, including hotels and tour operators.
- Exchange information and data related to tourism
- Establish exchange programmes for cooperation in Human Resource Development.
- Encourage visits of Tour Operators/Opinion Makers/ Media and tourists from both countries for promotion of two way tourism.
- Investing in the tourism and hospitality sector.
- Exchange experiences in the areas of education, promotion, marketing, destination development and management.
- Participate in travel exhibitions/fairs in each other’s country
- Promote safe, honourable and sustainable tourism.
Background
- South Africa and India share and enjoy warm and friendly bilateral relations. South Africa is an emerging tourism source markets for India.
- In 2015, India had received approximately 51922 tourists from South Africa. India has extended the Electronic Tourist Visa (eTV) facility for the South African Nationals.
- The eTV facility has elicited good response from travel trade. The MoU will be instrumental in increasing arrival from South Africa.
Month: Current Affairs - August, 2016