Centre will set up Medical Tourism and Wellness Board on the occasion of World Tourism Day on 27th of this month. <br/>Participating in Public Speak Programme of All India Radio last night, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Mahesh Sharma said, the government will give a new shape to medical tourism keeping in view its importance in the country. <br/><br/>Replying to listeners' queries, Dr. Sharma said, the Centre has accorded high priority to the safety and security of foreign tourists, particularly the women. <br/><br/>Tourist Police has been deployed at tourist destinations with the help of States' police to ensure the protection of foreign tourist. <br/><br/>Dr Sharma said, the government has also started a tourist helpline 1363 to provide assistance and information to tourists.<br/><br/>In reply to another query, Tourism and Culture Minister said the government will achieve the target of granting E-Tourist Visa to 150 countries by December this year. <br/><br/>He said, the facility has been extended so far to 113 countries including United States of America, Germany, Australia and China to attract more foreign tourists to India.<br/><br/>Dr Sharma also said, the government has taken cognizance of fake tourism offices operating in various parts of the country and action is being taken against them. <br/> <br/>Replying to another question, Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi said the Centre is making efforts to promote eco-tourism in the country with the help of States. <br/><br/>He said, it is linked with the rural areas of the country and will generate more employment opportunities to the people of these areas. <br/><br/>In reply to another question, Mr Zutshi said, Toruism Ministry is also promoting lesser known tourist destinations to attract more tourists at these places through theme-based tourist circuits like Swadesh Darshan Yojana. <br/><br/>

Centre will set up Medical Tourism and Wellness Board on the occasion of World Tourism Day on 27th of this month. <br/>Participating in Public Speak Programme of All India Radio last night, Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Mahesh Sharma said, the government will give a new shape to medical tourism keeping in view its importance in the country. <br/><br/>Replying to listeners' queries, Dr. Sharma said, the Centre has accorded high priority to the safety and security of foreign tourists, particularly the women. <br/><br/>Tourist Police has been deployed at tourist destinations with the help of States' police to ensure the protection of foreign tourist. <br/><br/>Dr Sharma said, the government has also started a tourist helpline 1363 to provide assistance and information to tourists.<br/><br/>In reply to another query, Tourism and Culture Minister said the government will achieve the target of granting E-Tourist Visa to 150 countries by December this year. <br/><br/>He said, the facility has been extended so far to 113 countries including United States of America, Germany, Australia and China to attract more foreign tourists to India.<br/><br/>Dr Sharma also said, the government has taken cognizance of fake tourism offices operating in various parts of the country and action is being taken against them. <br/> <br/>Replying to another question, Tourism Secretary Vinod Zutshi said the Centre is making efforts to promote eco-tourism in the country with the help of States. <br/><br/>He said, it is linked with the rural areas of the country and will generate more employment opportunities to the people of these areas. <br/><br/>In reply to another question, Mr Zutshi said, Toruism Ministry is also promoting lesser known tourist destinations to attract more tourists at these places through theme-based tourist circuits like Swadesh Darshan Yojana. <br/><br/>