India and Italy have strengthened their tourism ties in a meeting of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Culture of Italy Shri Francesco Rutelli with the Minister of Tourism and Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni held in India.

During their half an hour meeting both the leaders discussed matters of mutual understanding and cooperation in the fields of Tourism and Culture. It was noted by both the leaders that India and Italy share similarities in their tourism product with both the countries being looked upon as cultural destinations and the scope for interaction is enormous. Both countries have ancient glorious civilisation, monuments artefacts and rich legacy.

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika Soni said that Italy has much to offer to India in the areas of managing cultural patrimony including architectural restoration to tourists services and infrastructures. She said the Bilateral Tourism Cooperation Agreement between two countries was signed in June, 2000 in Rome.

As a follow up of to the agreement, the first working group meeting was held in New Delhi on 5th November, 2002. She desired that Italy should finalise soon the dates of next round of Working Group Meeting to be held in Italy to further strengthen the cooperation between the two countries. Both the leaders agreed for the need of better flight connectivity between the two countries which has improved considerably over the past years with ALITALIA introducing more flights from Milan to Delhi.

During the meeting visa problems being faced by Indian tourists like delay in obtaining Italian visa were also figured. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister assured the Indian side that VISA Issue System is being streamlined in his country. The visiting guest informed the host that during the Rome Film Festival in October, 2007, India will be one of the focus country. He invited Minister of Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika Soni to visit Italy.

Italy is one of the top ten tourists generating markets for India with eighty thousand plus tourists are coming to India from Italy annually.