New Delhi, Sep 27 (IANS): Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday criticised the erstwhile Congress-led UPA government for ignoring tourism industry and advocated the need to frame policies to help the sector.

"I regret to say that former governments didn't make policies which could have enhanced tourism in the country. In fact, they formed such policies which made tourism sector weak," Jaitley said after laying the foundation stone for the new building of tourism ministry.

He said India has the huge potential to attract tourists but at the same time there is a need to frame policies in such a way which will help the industry in the future.

"The country has the longest sea shore, huge forests, religious places and culture which have the capacity to attract tourists," he added.

Besides, Jaitley said, there was a need to build more infrastructure, especially airports.

"India should increase its airline capacity from 5 to 10 percent to cater to more foreign tourist in the country," he added.