The Hindu Business Line : Olympics is just not cricket for Indians!

GRANTED that 2004 is the centenary year of the Olympics. And it is returning to Greece, the historic country where it all began 100 years ago. Despite this, the Indian traveller is not much enthused. After all, it's not cricket.

Although the Olympics in Greece is less than three months away, domestic tour operators are reporting, at best, a lukewarm response from Indian travellers.

"Awareness for the Olympics as incentive travel for corporates is as yet in its nascent stages and there is not much demand for this niche product. However, we have been receiving a few inquiries and will customise packages to cater to the specific requirements of the customer or client," the Chief Operating Officer, SOTC, Mr Mahesh Shirodkar, told Business Line.

Sources indicated that an average package to the Games will cost about euros 2,000-3,000 (roughly Rs 1 lakh to Rs 1.5 lakh) for three nights per person. This will include hotel accommodation in central Athens, breakfast, transfers and a ticket to a `Type 2' event in which are included sports like volleyball, archery and water polo. This apart, travellers will have to spend another Rs 35,000- 40,000 for the airfare, although there will be a host of international airlines to choose from, sources indicated.

While conceding that there was no great demand in the market among Indians for the Olympics at present, the President of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), Mr Balbir S. Mayal, expressed confidence that many would want to travel closer to the time the Games open.

"The charm of Greece as a country, combined with the opportunity to witness the Olympics, will see many Indians travelling to witness the event. We expect to see anything between 8,000 and 10,000 Indians travelling to Greece," Mr Mayal said.

However, on one thing, there is unanimity among captains of the travel trade and sport commentators. They feel that it is unfair to compare the Olympics with other sports such as cricket and motor racing.

On final count, how many Indians will be part of the thousands of nationals from different parts of the globe as history unfolds in Athens, only time will tell.

More Stories on : Sports | Travel & Places | International Travel

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page

Stories in this Section
Re slides to 44.53 on global market blips

ICICI Bank net jumps 35 pc in Q4

FIIs eyeing MF route to gain more exposure — Bid to get around sectoral limits

What's in a name? Lots, says SEBI

Olympics is just not cricket for Indians!

Urban coop bank directors nudge Finance Ministry to lift loan ban

Cartoon