From correspondents in Delhi, India, 06:31 PM IST

To increase the flow of tourists from China to India, the government has given approval to open a tourism office in Beijing, the Rajya Sabha was informed Tuesday.

Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni said there were a 'negligible' number of Chinese travellers who visit Goa.

She said the government has given approval to open the India Tourism Office in Beijing and hoped this would enable Chinese visitors to see the country.

The minister said development and promotion of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the state governments. But the government was playing the role of a facilitator and catalyst to promote tourism in different parts of the country, including Goa.

The activities undertaken by the government include providing financial assistance to states concerned for tourism-related projects, co-ordination with various central ministries, undertaking centralized media campaigns, participation in fairs and exhibitions, printing and distributing brochures.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)