New Delhi, Aug 3 - Seeing the immense tourism potential of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the tourism ministry is organising a number of roadshows abroad to attract travellers, Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said here Monday.

'The Commonwealth Games in India next year will be an important event, especially from the tourism point of view. Teams that will arrive here can take the opportunity to explore India thus giving a major boost to tourism,' Selja said at the inaugural function of the two-day meet of the ministry's overseas tourism officials and the private sector.

Selja said that thanks to the ministry's efforts of organising various roadshows abroad to promote India as the ideal destination for tourists, there was a 0.2 percent positive growth in the tourist arrival to India.

Post the global meltdown, the foreign tourist arrival from January to June this year fell by 9.3 percent as compared to last year.

Talking about the roadshows, joint secretary of tourism ministry Leena Nandan said that special roadshows will be organised in London to attract people to explore India when they come here for the Commonwealth Games.