With record arrivals in 2005, it appears India will jump the magical figure of 5 million tourists by the end of year 2006 with possible growth of about 15% over 2005. First time it will happen that arrival figure will cross 1 million targets in a year.
Foreign Exchange earnings too have shown positive growth with revenue earning figure reached US$ 5 billion in 2005 and may cross 7 billion by the end of the 10th Five Year Plan period (by 2007).
Similarly for the first time in many years, one could see lot of positive happenings in all tourism related areas: be it the airlines, airports, roads, hotels, or economy in general. Stable government, focused articles in the media leading travel magazine declaring India as one of the five top tourist destinations in the world, business like approach in our booths at international travel trade shows, focused advertisements all show commitments. Every where a scene of optimism is visible. There is improvement in the arrival of tourists from various traffic generating markets.
With the open “sky policy”, more and more airlines now got the right to operate to India. About Seven international carriers have added India to their schedule. Existing carriers have been allowed additional services. Charter policy has been liberalized, low cost airlines are now available and number is increasing. Domestic carriers have started operating to Kathmandu, Colombo, Bangkok, London, Chicago, and soon to go other overseas destinations. The fuel surcharges reduced, taxes withdrawn in respect of hotels, airport tax and taxes rationalized at many places by State Governments.
Airports are being upgraded – Plans have already been prepared and action initiated for improvement of airports. Delhi Airport look much improved and Mumbai Airport is getting a good face- lift. Many small airports are getting a facelift for operation of flights by no frill airlines Helicopter services also are being offered by private investors. There is a genuine eagerness to improve air transport facilities. Once these areas are improved, corporate traffic will be increased. They need fast movement facilities.
With the opening of Indian economy, lot of foreign investments are coming. This will bring progressive economic stability. Rupee is already stable and GDP is consistently moving upward (about 6%) much better than many countries. In fact in some of the areas, like IT, Business Processing, Medical, Biotechnology, Management studies etc., India stands on a sound footing. Lot of business movements are taking place on those accounts. Conferences are taking place in India in numbers for Medical topics, IT, Science and Research, Automobile, Engineering and infrastructure etc, etc. and good numbers of participants have come to attend those events. India has really made a mark as MICE destination with enchanting pre/post tours, conference facilities. These conferences are held not only in metropolitan cities but at many tourist places. New convention centre in Kochi, Chennai, Bhubnaswar are in demand.
One area where there is a big visible improvement is related to Highway developments. Work is already under way at many places. Once these are completed say in 4/5 years time the road networks with comfortable transport – systems (Quality cars are now available in India) are completed, there will be further boom in industry with improved infrastructure on highways. For the Highway Project nearly Rs. 40,000/- cores is being invested and work is progressing very fast. In the budget for 2006-07, higher allocation has been made again for highway project. This will bring, big boost to tourism specially domestic tourism will be prospering with lot of infrastructural facilities coming on the highway in the form of wayside amenities, shopping malls, petrol pumps etc. Thus lot of local employment will be created. This will open up many new opportunities in tourism related activities.
People have started valuing the importance of tourism and do not think it as an elitist activity. This has helped to get people’s support and people are more oriented toward tourism, People have become more tourism friendly. They welcome tourists with warmth and hospitality.
Our Ministry is also doing capacity building programme to educate porters, taxi driver etc. and they will add to the tourism image of the country. “Atthi Debo Bhavo” campaign is the right step create tourism awareness.
To boost tourism, now Taj can be seen in the moon light with the facilities made available recently by the Archeological Survey of India. Many dreams to see Taj by moonlight. Agra Vicinity has been kept clean and given a fresh look. Honeymoon packages are on offer combining “Moonlit Taj” viewing on Full Moon days. Cruise Tourism is a big business now. More & More cruise liners are coming at various Indian ports. They bring tourists in bulk. Many liners who have never used India as port of call are now touching Indian Sea Ports. Recently good number of international liners came to Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Kochi & USA and about 20 to 25 liner called on in 2005.
Ministry of Tourism has also actively promoted the concept of night bazaar. Delhi has extended timings for opening of bars at night, Goa operates casino: Mumbai & Delhi organize special tourism festival with night bazaars. International Marathon, Music & Dance festivals, Bollywood tourism package are on offer and these have become very popular. India will host Common Wealth Game in 2010.
Many tourism oriented festivals have been programmed for 2006 with dates announced quite in advance by each state. Many states have published calendar of events for 5/6 years. They are being properly packaged by our Tour Operators for overseas agents. Our trade members are actively promoting India overseas with support from Government. Our tourist offices overseas are actively promoting educational tours for agents. All these efforts are showing positive results. On return many of these tour operators have launched exclusive India packages by bring out exclusive India holiday brochures. Deccan Odyssey, new train is also now become popular along with the Palace-on-Wheels. These special tourist trains have become our new incentive products. Rajasthan Govt. has lunched new “Heritage on Wheel Train”.
But we should not go complacent with these achievements. Many things need to be stream lined to keep tourists flow continued. Government needs to rationalize taxes & not put pressure on tourism by over doses of taxes (as tourism is seen as milking cow to give revenue to Government).
All the more, some self control is needed about hygiene. Hotels need to control price hiking, municipality for over all cleanliness of city; Policing for security of tourists; control of beggars at tourist places; cleanliness inside the airport and crowd management outside. Proper signage’s at all places. Places need to be earmarked for paid parking. Properly illuminated road junctions ,If these can be done and done in time, one can see & feel the refreshing changes at all times in India. Tourists will always feel it a pleasure to come back and come back in numbers. Let us all cooperate with the Government for this favourbale transition and make India a dream holiday destination for all tourists.
