India eyes 12% more Middle East tourists

This was echoed by top government officials of Government of India on the first day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) in Dubai on Monday at a news conference. It was addressed by Devender Singh, Economic Advisor, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India; TP Seetharam, Ambassador of India to the UAE; Manas Pattanaik, director India Tourism, among others.

Devender Singh, T.P. Seetharam and Manas Pattanaik addressing the Press conference on Monday.

They said India offers a lot to tourists as they can find the destination or product of their desire in India, be it heritage sites, forts, beaches, backwaters, lakes, mountains, adventure, wildlife, culture, festivals, medical, wellness, MICE, religion or shopping.

There has been a consistent and positive growth of foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) from the region to India over the last three years. India reported more than four per cent growth in FTAs from the region in 2012 as total tourists visited India touched 290,000. Last year data is not available, but the figures were compared to 2012, they added. Talking about the current targets, they said: “We expect 10-12 per cent growth from this region.”

Tourism in India has been increasing steadily over the years. In 2013, the total FTAs to India stood at 6.84 million as compared to 6.57 million in 2012.

As part of its participation under the “Incredible India” banner, the immense tourism potential of the country — both business and leisure travel — is on show during the ATM. Total 28 participants from India, representing the diversity of heritage, nature, culture and wellness tourism are participating in the India Pavilion set up by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.

The theme chosen this year by Ministry of Tourism for ATM 2014 is “Find what you seek”. One of the highlights of the ‘Incredible India’ showcase at ATM 2014 is the depiction of India as a multi-faceted tourist destination for luxury, wildlife, and wellness and medical tourism. India has evolved as a round the year destination and all efforts are being made to develop niche products like wellness and medical tourism; adventure and wildlife tourism; film tourism; monsoon tourism; golf, polo and sports tourism and MICE tourism, while at the same time adding value to the cultural and heritage products of the country.

The India Pavilion has participants representing the State Tourism Boards of Kerala and Meghalaya along with Air India, IRCTC highlighting the luxury train the ‘Maharaja Express’, a number of tour operators, travel agents, hoteliers, wellness, spas and ayurveda centres, who would be showcasing their innumerable products on ‘Incredible India’.

— abdulbasit@khaleejtimes.com