'PM's foreign visits have boosted tourism'

New Delhi, July 8: Prime Minister rendra Modi’s visits to other tions have led to a rise in foreign tourists travelling to India, union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma said on Wednesday.

 Modi’s visits, there has been a 10.3 percent increase in tourists from the US, 13.7 percent rise from Brazil, 5.7 percent rise from Germany, 7 percent rise from Cada, 49 percent rise from Uzbekistan, and 30 percent rise from Myanmar. “It has been the vision of our Prime Minister rendra Modi to see tourism as the backbone of the economy of the country,” Sharma said, adding that a tourism proposal will soon be put forth, which will boost tourism further. The minister said that at the 31st annual IATO convention in Indore on August 20-23, any changes to the tourism proposal that would be suggested by the convention will be incorporated. Sharma also said the IATO, the tiol association of tour operators, plans to develop tourism in Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep. (ians)