Travel industry slips into despair

New Delhi: The terror attacks in Mumbai are expected to severely hit the inflow of foreign tourists in the next three to six months, an indication of which is the move by foreign airlines to cut flights from Mumbai.
Around 20 per cent of foreigners use the Mumbai airport.
Travel advisories have been issued by countries such as the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Thailand and Canada. Travel agents may avoid the risk of bringing foreigners in the next two months.
“This time terrorists specifically attacked foreign travellers. This will definitely send wrong signals. Travel agents will have a tough time getting tourists here,” said Tarun Thukral, chief operating officer of Le Meridien, New Delhi.
Already, the tourism trade is reeling under the impact of the global financial crisis, which curtailed travel spending.
An official in the ministry of tourism said, “We have been trying to revive constant interest in tourists through our Incredible India campaign, but such terror strikes are bound to impact our effort.”
October to March is the peak season for foreign tourists arrivals.
The country received around five million foreign tourists last year. The tourism industry aims to double the figure by 2010-2011. Goa, a favourite destination of foreigners, has already seen a 20 per cent drop in arrivals, beginning October.
30/11/08 Jayati Ghose & Garima Singh Neogy/The Telegraph

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Categories: Indian Aviation- In General Dec 2008