Tourism Minister Renuka Choudhury Monday urged the Planning Commission to request all ministries to set aside a part of their plan expenditure for developing tourist infrastructure.

"Tourism has to be the priority sector for the country and it is essential for it to be recognised for its importance as a driver of economic growth," Choudhury told a meet organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

She urged the Planning Commission to request each ministry of the central government to set aside a "certain portion of their plan-expenditure for upgrading tourism-related infrastructure".

The returns from investment in tourism have a ripple effect that permeates the economy and benefits a large cross-section of society, she said.

Noting that India had become the world's fifth most preferred tourist destination, Choudhury said if there was proper integration between various ministries dealing with infrastructure, tourism would benefit immensely.

The tourism ministry had taken three major initiatives, including training of guides and general public on dealing with tourists and promoting involvement of women in the industry.

"The third and an important initiative was the need to integrate functioning with other ministries to create infrastructure that will attract foreign tourists," she said.

Calling for development of a vision statement for Indian tourism for the next five to 10 years, the minister said this meant looking at problems like road connectivity, issuing visas and making tourists feel welcome.