WHATEVER the views industry leaders may have on inbound travel to India, at least they are united on the outbound front, agreeing that it is booming.
While an accurate figure is not available, it is estimated that close to four million Indians travel abroad every year, as opposed to 2.3 million arrivals to India every year. Little wonder several countries are vying for the Indian traveller. In recent years, travel has become much easier, with a liberal foreign exchange allowance for business and leisure travel.
British Tourism Authority (BTA) India representative Prem Subramanium has succeeded in convincing Indians to combine business with leisure.
Australia also considers India an emerging market, with 38,000 Indian arrivals this year - 30 per cent up over last year. ATC manager India Nidhi Sharma hopes the Olympics will be a boost to sentiment later on in the year.
The yield from Indian visitors in 1998 was AUS$156 million, up from the AUS$84 million of 1997.
Traffic to the Seychelles was rising, up from 400 in 1995 to 1000 in 1996, 2000 in 1997 and 2700 in 1998. But the withdrawal of the Air Seychelles flights would hit traffic, says Tourist Board of India representative Virat Bhalla.
Singapore expects a 10 per cent growth from India, with more destination travellers, rather than just stopovers. India sends 250,000 to the Lion City every year.
The cruise traffic from India is growing, says Discover the World Marketing's Gautam Chadha Delhi Express is also upbeat on cruises. Star Cruises expect to do well in Indian shores.
South Africa, Mauritius and Nepal are also looking at Indian travellers.
This year, big players such as Kuoni SOTC, Cox & Kings, Thomas Cook, SITA, TCI are offer ing various incentives and discounts to lure Indians to the US, Europe and south East Asia.
SITA World Travel joint managing director and Travel Agents Association of India president Neeraj Ghei feels that this has helped enlarge the market base, although it may not have been the best for bottom lines.