India to showcase lesser known tourist spots during F1 gala

New Delhi: With the inaugural Indian Grand Prix set to draw huge foreign and domestic crowds, the Tourism Ministry has decided to showcase the lesser known destinations during the here.

The Ministry has finalised a blueprint to utilise the Formula One route to promote more than 50 destinations in an aggressive `Incredible India` campaign. Besides, the Ministry will also be launching `Know your City`, a new mode of media campaign for F1 enthusiasts. "We are utilising the Formula One event to promote our lesser known destinations including beaches, monuments, mountains, sand dunes, festivals and cuisines in a big way," a senior Tourism Ministry official, involved with the Incredible India campaign, said. Beginning from October 28, the three-day gala motor event is generating a lot of interest among the racing enthusiasts and is expected to draw about 1.5 lakh crowd, including 50,000 foreigners. "Though some of our well known destinations like Taj Mahal, Qutab Minar and other tourist spots in Kerala and Goa will feature in the campaign, our focus will be on to highlight the lesser-known attractions during the event," the official said. The country will witness for the first time the Formula One race at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, 24 km from Delhi. The event is expected to attract many Bollywood actors, foreigners, politicians, ambassadors and business tycoons among others. There will be posters, hoardings and information kiosks along the F1 route. "There are several tunnels along the F1 route and Incredible India hoardings will be put up in these tunnels," the official said. Besides, Tourism Ministry will also be launching `Know Your City` campaign to capture the Formula One fever. "The Know Your City campaign is a new mode of campaign and it will be launched on October 16 in the electronic media and continue till October 30," the official said. PTI