April 22--NEW DELHI (The Statesman/ANN) -- An urgent makeover is needed in India's tourism and hospitality sector, which includes extending visa-on-arrival to tourists from more nations and better safety, industry body Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) said yesterday.

"The growth of the tourism and hospitality sector in India is critical to achieve overall inclusive growth of the country, owing to the immense potential of this sector to generate jobs and circulate the economy," CII Northern Region chairman Jayant Davar said.

The employment generation in the tourism and hospitality sector is many times more than the manufacturing sector, he added.

There is a need to take steps to improve the present scenario of tourism that includes extending facility of visa-on-arrival to tourists from more countries, simple tax rules and ensuring safety of tourists, the traders' body said.

There is a need for better marketing and brand strategies to promote the sector, it further added. CII said creating an enabling environment for the sector's growth would lead to rise in foreign tourist inflows and foreign exchange earnings, thus contributing to economic growth.

Besides, it said this would lead to creation of additional jobs in the sector, which would create opportunities for all sections of the society and in turn lead to attaining an all-inclusive development, said Davar.

CII has planned to organise a mega event "CII Tourism Fest" in December in Chandigarh to bring all critical stakeholders like states' chief ministers, officials of the ministry of tourism, hoteliers, hospitals, tour operators and travel agents on one platform.

"India has the potential to be amongst the world's best tourist destinations. What is needed is effective and aggressive marketing; and branding strategies to let the world know what we have on offer," CII said.

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