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Foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in the country have helped the tourism industry rebound from the recession-hit phase of the last two years.
There has been a 11.5 per cent increase in inbound arrivals for the first five months of this year compared with the same period last year, according to data from the Union Tourism Ministry. FTAs during the period January-May 2011 were 25.23 lakh compared with 22.63 lakhduring January-May 2010.
FTAs during May 2011 were 3.69 lakh compared with 3.45 lakh during May 2010 and 3.05 lakh in May 2009. There has been a growth of 7 per cent in May 2011 over May 2010 compared with a growth of 13 per cent registered in May 2010 over May 2009.
In terms of outbound travel, last year recorded more than 12.5 million departures. Going by the current trend, the industry expects a 25-30 per cent growth.
Local travel
“Close to 450 million Indians travelled within India last year and we feel that this market is also booming.
Among the domestic favourites are Kerala, Goa, the North East, the hills stations, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In terms of international destinations, there are UK, Switzerland, France, Canada and the US in the long haul segment.
In the short haul it is Dubai, Malaysia and Thailand. Macau has recently picked up as well,” Mr Peter Kerkar, Director, Cox and Kings Ltd, told Business Line .
Increasing disposable income of Indian travellers has led to a phenomenal growth in the travel and tourism industry.
“Holidays are now being looked upon as a necessity to de-stress and unwind leading to a rising trend of multiple holidays and weekend getaways. These trends have resulted in considerable increase in outbound tourism with the industry witnessing a considerable growth rate,” said Ms Kashmira Commissariat, Chief Operating Officer, Outbound Division, Kuoni India.
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