Tourism from SCO countries could easily be doubled: Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said only six per cent of foreign tourists in India are from the SCO countries, which could easily be “doubled” as he underlined the need to boost tourism among members of the grouping.

He was speaking at the restricted session of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit. Modi opined that increasing awareness of the shared cultures can help boost the number of tourists.

“India’s foreign tourism from the SCO countries just constitute for 6 per cent, which could easily be doubled. Increasing awareness of our shared cultures can help boost this number. We will organise a SCO food festival and a Buddhist festival in India,” he said.

The SCO currently has eight member countries which represents around 42 per cent of the world’s population and 20 per cent of the global GDP. Chinese President Xi, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani and Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain also participated in the event.