Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat underlined the role of tourism as a major contributor to India's economy, emphasising that the sector has immense scope for further growth. Speaking at the 12th Annual Convention of the Indian Heritage Hotels Association (IHHA) at Castle Kanota on September 6 he said, "Tourism already contributes 5-6% to India’s GDP, compared to nearly 10% globally. With our cultural richness and diversity, the sector can further boost the economy."