The Minister of State for Tourism, Sultan Ahmed presenting the Chef Award 2009 (PHD CC) to a charity PHD in New Delhi.

The Minister of State for Tourism, Sultan Ahmed said that tourism plays an important role in developing as well as developed countries. The sector accounts for 11% of the GDP and 8% of employment globally. Leading Tourism Organizations, including WTO and WTTC have declared Indian tourism as the fastest growing at a rate of about 8%.
While speaking at a Chef Award 2009 function and presentation of cheques to the two charity organizations Plan India and PHD Family Welfare Foundation (PHDFWF) in New Delhi today, he said that India’s performance in tourism sector has been quite impressive. During the period 2002 to 2009, India witnessed as increase in the Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) from 2.38 million to 5.11 million. Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEEs) from tourism increased from 15,064 crore in 2002 to 54,960 crore in 2009.
Mr Ahmed said that the number of domestic tourist visits to the States/ Union Territories during 2009 was 650 million as compared to 563 million in 2008 and 527 millions in 2007. Hotel and Hospitality sector plays an important role in the growth and sustainability of tourism sector in the country.
He said that the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved broad basing hospitality education. Vocational schools, polytechnics, universities and colleges would be involved to meet the growing demand of trained manpower in hospitality sector. Revised guidelines for the Scheme of Assistance to Institute of Hotel Management and Food Craft Institutes have also been issued. He said the Ministry intends to set up 19 State IHMs and 25 State FCIs in the 11th Plan Period.