Mr Prakash Jajoria,
Regional Director, West Asia & Africa,
India Tourism, Dubai
India’s position as a stellar tourist destination is now, on a spree of consolidation. Furthering the upward trend of international tourist arrivals, the year 2004 saw a steady increase with an all time high of 3.27 million. Just an indication of the good times ahead.
Indian tourism has grown aggressively in 2004 with foreign exchange earnings in Indian Rupees crossing the 21,000 crores mark (USD 4,810 million).
The Ministry of Tourism and Culture has been focused in its endeavor to promote tourism into the country.
With the objective of positioning `India as a unique and preferred destination for tourism, the ministry had rolled out a `multi-million dollar’campaign under the uniform positioning banner of "Incredible India" in Europe, the Asia Pacific region, the Middle East and the US.
To substantiate the efforts, the Tourism Department of India has launched special initiatives to achieve its goal of making India the world’s number one tourist destination. Specific focused initiatives have been undertaken to promote the magical allure of India across the world Wellness Tourism.
Health tourism was set to give impetus to the increase of tourists. The variety that India offers within one geographical stretch is beyond comparison. India is fast emerging as a centre of medical excellence which would bring international travelers to this country in large numbers. The allure is endless…be it ayurveda,yoga, meditation, rejuvenating spas, or high-tech healing.
As well as spiritual and health tourism, the Tourism Department has been focusing on the other multi-faceted offerings of Incredible India - adventure trails, the backwaters of Kerala, beaches of India, eco-tourism, health resorts, hill stations and rural tourism to name a few. Destination specific promotions are also being carried out to communicate the splendor of the magical land and efforts are continuing to maintain the growth achieved in tourist inflows in recent times. Another key segment that is in focus is promoting India as an ideal honeymoon destination.
The Indian economy is on a buoyant note, the public mood is on the upswing and an upbeat feeling prevails. Even nature seems to keeping in step in all her many-hued glory. There really wouldn’t be a better time to plan your trip to this heady getaway |