Around a lakh tourists expected to visit Delhi during games

Government on Friday said it was expecting around one lakh tourists during Commonwealth Games to be held here in October this year.

“2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne had attracted 90,000 visitors and it is expected that around one lakh visitors would come to Delhi for the games this year,” Minister of State for Tourism Sultan Ahmed said in a written reply to Lok Sabha query.

He added that through the Ministry’s overseas offices, promotional campaigns were undertaken for promoting Queen’s Baton Relay and the Commonwealth Games-2010 in Commonwealth countries.

“These activities include advertising, participation in travel fairs, exhibitions, road shows etc. So far, the campaign has been undertaken in the UK and South Africa along with incredible India campaigns,” Ahmed said.

He said the government has recently introduced visa on arrival for five countries, including two Commonwealth countries - Singapore and New Zealand.

Ahmed added that there was no proposal to grant concession in visa fees for the games. The Games will be held from October 3 to 14.