Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed stated that the country will spend more than Rs 275 crore in order to endorse its destinations, art, ethnicity and custom to magnetize more vacationists out of the country.

Mr. Ahmed said that the plan was to spend around Rs 275 crore in 2010 as against Rs 240 crore in 2009.

India creates consciousness about its different products, which includes various destinations through the much awarded Incredible India drive.

In the year 2008, India spent around Rs 220 crore on the campaign, whereas it stood at Rs 169 crore in the year 2007.

Mr. Ahmed said that the ministry carries out various activities for endorsing tourism including printing and distribution of literature, contribution in travel fairs and road shows, advertising, promotions with stockowners in the markets abroad through its 14 offices overseas and through the Incredible India campaigns.

The tourism ministry also organizes road shows in vital tourist generating markets abroad, arranges familiarization tours for tour and travel operators and attracts international travel writers.

The minister said, "The impact of the 'Incredible India' campaign is seen in the increase in the number of international tourist arrivals from 2.38 million in the year 2002 to an estimated 5.11 million in the year 2009." (With Inputs from Agencies)