INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL INDUSTRY SHOWS KEEN INTEREST TO REVIVE TOURS
TO INDIA
A large number of world
tour operators have communicated to the Government of India that
they are very keen to revive tours to India and India would figure
as an important destination in their future programmes. In response
to the letter written by Secretary, Tourism Smt. Rathi Vinay Jha
as confidence building measure among International Travel Industry,
number of tour operators have come forward to announce that they
would start trips to India in upcoming tourism season. Stephen
Fallows from Australia says "Interpid Travel has every intention
of running trips in India in the upcoming season." Balan
Kolazhi of Service Longs Courriers, France has communicated "Our
first group is arriving in India again on August 4 and we shall
develop India as an important destination."
Although travel
to India has suffered due to negative advisories and issues relating
to travel insurance, tour operators have assured to step up their
promotional efforts. A number to familiarization trips of foreign
travel agents are also planned to educate the members of the travel
industry on the ground of realities and also uniqueness of India’s
tourism product.
Some suggestions
have been made by the foreign tour operators to maintain India’s
market share. These range from extensive use of media overseas
for reassurance, image building and product promotion to lowering
of hotel taxes and the entry fee at the monuments. Dick Cijffers
of Journeys Worldwide, Australia suggested a series of measures
to stimulate new business. These suggestions are being considered
for incorporation in the marketing strategy. The Secretary, Tourism,
Government of India, addressed leading tour operators in the main
tourist generating countries to allay the fears of tourists about
the region, and to assure tourists that India is a safe destination.
