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SARS, Iraq war have positive impact on Indian tourism
New Delhi, June 05: They have come as a blessing in disguise for Indian tourism. While SARS and the Iraq war played havoc with the tourism industries of many countries, India has literally come out with flying colours - a SARS free destination and one which was miles away from the war scene.
New Delhi, June 05: They have come as a blessing in disguise for Indian tourism. While SARS and the Iraq war played havoc with the tourism industries of many countries, India has literally come out with flying colours - a SARS free destination and one which was miles away from the war scene.
The tourist arrivals are a pointer to that - an average growth over the year 2000 and much higher since 9/11 and the ensuing December 13 attack on Parliament.
"Compared to 254,000 foreign visitors in December 2001, around 281,000 foreigners came to India in December last year, followed by 278,000, 272,000 and 220,000 in the next three months," according to Yogesh Chandra, secretary general, World Travel & Trade Council (WTTC).
"There are always two faces of a coin. While SARS has badly affected the tourism industry of many Southeast Asian nations, non-SARS affected countries and those which have something to offer are going to benefit from it," says Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president, WTTC. "Infact, SARS and Iraq war have done exactly the same to India what 9/11 did to South African tourism. For decades, South Africa has been considered unsafe, but post WTC attack, it is perhaps the safest destination with occupancy rates in hotels as high as 87 per cent," notes Baumgarten.
"Most of the factors are in favour of India today and what the industry needs to do is just cash on those issues. India is a safe destination - with no risk of war or disease - and this would be enough to lure people away from even the most popular Southeast Asian destinations," says Nandini Verma, vice president, Jet Airways.
However, Himat Anand of Sita Travels feels, "This is not the right time for the industry to launch any initiative. SARS or non-SARS countries, people are not travelling anywhere." Chandra says the Indian tourism has fantastic potential to grow if proper measures are taken both by the industry and the government. Bureau Report
"Compared to 254,000 foreign visitors in December 2001, around 281,000 foreigners came to India in December last year, followed by 278,000, 272,000 and 220,000 in the next three months," according to Yogesh Chandra, secretary general, World Travel & Trade Council (WTTC).
"There are always two faces of a coin. While SARS has badly affected the tourism industry of many Southeast Asian nations, non-SARS affected countries and those which have something to offer are going to benefit from it," says Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president, WTTC. "Infact, SARS and Iraq war have done exactly the same to India what 9/11 did to South African tourism. For decades, South Africa has been considered unsafe, but post WTC attack, it is perhaps the safest destination with occupancy rates in hotels as high as 87 per cent," notes Baumgarten.
"Most of the factors are in favour of India today and what the industry needs to do is just cash on those issues. India is a safe destination - with no risk of war or disease - and this would be enough to lure people away from even the most popular Southeast Asian destinations," says Nandini Verma, vice president, Jet Airways.
However, Himat Anand of Sita Travels feels, "This is not the right time for the industry to launch any initiative. SARS or non-SARS countries, people are not travelling anywhere." Chandra says the Indian tourism has fantastic potential to grow if proper measures are taken both by the industry and the government. Bureau Report