The Ministries of Tourism and Civil Aviation today signed an agreement here to work together for promoting tourism in India and abroad.

The MoU was signed by the Joint secretaries of both the ministries in the presence of Tourism Minister Subodh Kant Sahai and Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh.

Conversion with Civil Aviation Ministry is very important for developing tourism in the country and abroad. This will help in effectively branding India as a major tourist destination," Sahai said.

Speaking on the occasion, Singh said "aviation is a major driver for development of tourism and both the ministries have decided to work together towards the common objective of brand positioning and effective promotion for enhancing tourism in India and abroad."

He said tourism has to be an integral part of the growth of civil aviation.

The MoU aims at promoting tourism by leveraging the promotional opportunities provided at airports and aircraft. As per the agreement, the Airport Authority of India would provide space at various airports for 'Incredible India' branding by Ministry of Tourism at nominal cost.

Branding space would be offered at prominent locations in the arrival hall, near the luggage belts in the arrival lounge and in the departure hall, in different sizes, in consultation with Ministry of Tourism.

Instructions would be issued by Civil Aviation Ministry to foreign and Indian carriers for screening 'Incredible India' promotional films on their flights, after take-off and before landing on both inbound and outbound flights. Tourism Ministry would provide the films to the airlines.

The Indian carriers would have to display 'Incredible India' logo on all their aircraft for which the Tourism Ministry would provide the design.

Both the Ministries would participate in the road shows and events organised by each other.

The Tourism Ministry would undertake marketing and promotion for promoting some of the newly upgraded airports like Aurangabad, Udaipur, Varanasi and Madurai.