`Privatisation must to boost tourism'

bangalore: an institute of hotel management was opened on sheshadri road on saturday. the institute will be the first of its kind here and will cost a whopping rs 5 crore before it is completed in 2003. indian tourism was lagging behind and needed to catch up with tourism in south east asia, which had emerged as the most favoured tourist destination in asia, expressed minister for culture and tourism h.v.ananthkumar, who was speaking at the inaugural of the institute. he said while a tiny nation like singapore attracted 7 million tourists in a year india could only manage 2.7 million. he called for reduction in the rate of taxes on the hospitality industry. he also expressed concern at the lack of infrastructure and said there was a shortfall of 1.26 lakh hotel rooms in the country. he also expressed hope that the investment in infrastructure should improve and bridge the shortfall. the chief minister s.m. krishna said,``privatisation was the only answer to improve tourist revenue. the private sector must participate in improving tourism and providing the requisite infrastructure.'' the karnataka minister for tourism and wakf r. roshan baig said,``service upgradation and well trained personnel were necessary in the tourism sector.''