AMN / NEW DELHI

President Ram Nath Kovind today said greater tourism opportunities can help the country eradicating poverty. Speaking after giving away National Tourism Awards for the year 2015-16 on the occasion of World Tourism Day in New Delhi, Mr Kovind said, Tourism generates better employment opportunities.

The President said, tourism can also help improve economy of the country. President Kovind said there are immense opportunities in sports and adventure tourism. He called upon people who are part of tourism industry to do more efforts to improve tourism destinations in India.

Speaking on the occasion, Tourism Minister K J Alphons said India has registered substantial growth in the tourism sector during the last three years. He said, more than 60 lakh foreign tourists have visited to different parts of India between January to August this year.

President Kovind also launched Incredible India 2.0 campaign on the occasion of World Tourism Day. The campaign promotes different heritage sites and tourism destinations of India.

The President also launched “Adopt a Heritage Project” which has great potential to make India’s rich and diverse heritage monuments, tourist-friendly. He hoped that the project will help in the maintenance of country’s heritage with a partnership of the public and private sectors.