The Hindu Business Line : Kalam for integrated approach to boost tourism

The President, Mr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, being welcomed by the Minister for Tourism, Ms Renuka Chowdhury, as the President, World Travel & Tourism Council, Mr Jean Claude Baumgarten, looks on at the 5th Global Travel & Tourism Summit in the Capital on Friday. — Ramesh Sharma

New Delhi , April 8

INDIA and China are expected to be among the top 10 fastest growing countries in the tourism business. According to the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) report, the global tourism industry is likely to generate $6.2 trillion of revenue this year. "Global tourism will grow 5.4 per cent this year, and at a 4.6 per cent annual pace between 2006 and 2015," it said.

The decline in tourism to the tsunami-hit countries of Thailand and Sri Lanka may cost the travel industry $3 billion in lost revenue and lead to the loss of 250,000 jobs, said Mr Richard Miller, Executive Vice-President, WTTC.

Among the 170-odd countries surveyed, India is expected to have an annualised growth rate of 8.6 per cent for the 2006-2015 period, while China is estimated to grow at 9.2 per cent. Similarly, tourism is expected to create about 1.8 million jobs in India, much lower than China's 14 million jobs. The report forecast that 2005 is expended to bring stronger travel and tourism demand.

Inaugurating the 5th Global Travel and Tourism Summit, the President, Mr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, said that an integrated approach as well as development of regional tourist circuits in SAARC and ASEAN would boost tourist arrivals in the country. He said that focused attention to the question of regional tourism as opposed to a country-oriented tourism, should be explored. Besides this, he added that an integrated approach by developing the aviation, roads and health sectors would help in making India an attractive destination.

Meanwhile, the Tourism Minister, Ms Renuka Chowdhury, has asked the industry to invest liberally in this sector. The Government had facilitated a 100 per cent foreign direct investment in tourism and hotel sectors.

Marriott chief bullish about India

THE Chairman and CEO of Marriott International Inc, Mr J. Williard Marriott, Jr, is bullish about India. On his first trip to the country, Mr Marriott said that that the group is planning to set up hotels in Hyderabad, Chennai and Bangalore.

It is also planning to add 270 rooms to its existing property in Mumbai. Not mentioning any specific investment figures, Mr Marrriot said that his company would look at the high-end hotels and not the budget hotels.

He said that India provides a huge potential and the open-skies policy of the Government would help both in-bound and out-bound travellers.

Concern over fuel prices: Soaring fuel prices is a major concern to airlines all over the world. Speaking to Business Line, Mr James Hogan, President and Chief Executive, Gulf Air, said, "Rising fuel prices are robbing airlines of their profitability." He said that internationally, the airline has been charging a fuel surcharge.

Speaking about the Indian operations, Mr Hogan said that the airline was looking to add more destinations. "We would like to fly to Hyderabad, Ahmedabaad, Amritsar and Kozhikode. The Indian market is getting highly competitive with several airlines now operating to the country."

On the performance of Gulf Air, he added that the airline broke-even in 2004. It had registered losses of $50 million in 2002 and by the end of 2004 it has managed to wipe these out.

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