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Expressing
concern over the fact that almost five million Indian outbound
tourists account for a revenue outflow of Rs 25000 crore annually,
the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India (ADTOI)
is working with various airlines and state tourism departments
to formulate incentives for the domestic travellers. The association
has already approached Indian Airlines and Air Sahara for
the tourist packages within the country.
The
association is also planning to approach Jet Airways and Air-India
soon.
Supporting this endeavour ADTOI is looking at launching a
travel pass for tourists that would cover various routes and
circuits. The travel pass will enable a tourist to travel
with discounted fares.
While giving details, Jyoti Kapur, President, ADTOI said,
“We are trying to coin the idea that our infrastructure
is well in place and that there are various unexplored destinations
particularly in the newly formed state. Hence, we are working
with various agencies to formulate measures to promote domestic
travel. We are bothered that increase in outbound tourism
is amounting to huge cash outflow. We are coordinating with
states and airlines to work out reasonable packages to offer
a fillip to domestic tourism.”
Kapur is happy with the response received from Air Sahara
and Indian airlines. “We have already initiated talks
with Jammu and Kashmir, Uttranchal, Chhattisgarh and Mizoram.
The response is very favourable from the state tourism boards.
We hope that by March 2003 we should be able to put these
plans into practice,”stated Kapur. The packages are being
worked out in the lines of hotels, which offer a complimentary
stay to children or senior citizens etc. “We are emphasising
on the cost-effective packages conducive to growth. We plan
to market these packages under the slogan, ‘See us now’.
Many states have already agreed to float competitive packages
which are being worked upon currently,” he added.
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