In a major boost to tourism, India and France, which is one of the top tourist generating markets for the country, on February 20 signed an agreement to promote each other's destinations and share market research for the purpose.

In an MoU signed in New Delhi between Tourism Minister Ambika Soni and visiting French Minister for Tourism Leon Bertrand, both the countries decided to promote human resource development in tourism and will contribute to the development of new products, particularly through the promotion of natural and cultural heritage.

Signed in the presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and President of France Jacques Chirac, the MoU says both the countries will cooperate in tourism administrations and management by exchanging expertise, human resources development and product development.

Besides helping each other in marketing of tourism and sharing market research, India and France will also cooperate in the area of trade and tourism investment, travel related services as well as training programme between the respective private sectors.

France is one of the top tourist generating markets for India with year 2005 witnessing a growth of about 35 per cent in arrivals from France.

India has a tourism office in Paris to look after tourism promotion activities there and organise various promotional events to promote Indian destinations.

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