India Travel Mission 2007 Roundup

Tourism Australia confident of receiving more Indians

India is becoming a strong market for inbound tourism from Australia with honeymoon, family, and the incentives segment on its radar. By Sanjeev Bhar in Jaipur

The recent India Travel Mission 2007 that was held from September 10-14 in Jaipur demonstrated that India ranks high for products like honeymoon, family and incentive destination as far as Australia is concerned. According to the latest results released by Tourism Australia, there were 7,000 visitors from India in July 2007, bringing the total for the seven-month to 55,400, an increase of nine per cent relative to the same period of the previous year. Maggie White, general manager (South, South East Asia & Gulf countries), Tourism Australia, said, "Last year, Australia received 83,000 Indians, a 23.2 per cent increase from its previous year, of which 50 per cent comprised leisure travellers. This year's result (till July) shows remarkable improvement and we are confident of reaching the 1,75,000-mark by 2010. The forecast for Indian arrivals is pegged at 3,82,000 in 2015 by the report."

Most tourism boards are going aggressive to promote their destinations to tap the growing trend of Indians showing interests in Australia. Heena Munshaw, managing director, Beacon Holidays, remarked, "Australia doesn't come with a baggage of history and hence, is preferred as a destination for tourists. It is increasingly becoming popular amongst family and honeymooners." Similarly, various tourism products from Tourism Tasmania and Tourism Queensland are targeting family, honeymoon and incentives with natural beauty, world heritage sites, beaches and MICE.

Supriya Correa, marketing manager (India), Tourism Queensland, said, "Destinations could be packaged differently to suit the needs of various groups. We are informing Indian agents to sell the destinations with different approach to leisure, FITs, honeymoon or family." Sudhir Warrier, executive chairman, Sydney Showboats & Majestic Cruises, has seen a lot more honeymooners and family arriving to Sydney and to his showboats.

On the other hand, Rochelle Gomes, project manager (global), Palazzo Versace, added, "Being the only fashion hotel brand in the world, Palazzo Versace resort attracts FITs, incentives and honeymooners with an experience of a lifetime. We have even incorporated lots of Indian cuisine like the distinguished Jain food owing to increased number of Indians. The hotel is also experiencing longer stays by guests."