NEW DELHI, APRIL 21: Promoting India as a destination for golf tourism is on the cards, when Japanese prime minister Junichiro Koizumi visits the country next week. India is likely to hardsell the golf angle, to attract Japanese tourists, it is learnt.

Japanese are known for flying to regions in South-East Asia, mainly Malaysia and Thailand, during weekends to play golf. According to a source in the ministry of tourism, just like South-East Asia, India could also be promoted as a golf destination, keeping in mind the Japanese interest in the sport. The ministry is in the process of chalking out a roadmap, to promote India as a golf tourism destination.

Even as golf is a very popular sport in Japan, space for golf courses is limited there. Also, golf club membership fees are very high in Japan. That explains why Japanese like to take chartered flights to South-East Asia for weekend golf.

Besides golf, plans are also being drawn to attract Japanese tourists to the Buddhist circuit in India. Cities in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar fall in the circuit. A pilgrim’s passage through the places immortalised by the Buddha is referred to as “the Buddhist circuit".

The Japanese PM will visit India, Pakistan, Luxembourg and the Netherlands from April 28 to May 3. The Japanese delegation is likely to focus on improving bi-lateral ties between the two countries. Mr Koizumi would meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and other Cabinet ministers. Meetings with corporate leaders of the country would also take place.

Among other issues, the two sides will deliberate on cooperation in information technology and entertainment.