The UK traditionally has sent the maximum number of travelers to India. A shared history, nostalgia and Indophiles amongst the Brits have made sure the fascination for India hasn’t waned. But these are changing times. Old alliances are giving way to new. Keen interest in contemporary India among American clearly goes beyond the much discussed nuclear deal. According to recent stats released by India’s department of tourism, Americans have emerged as India’s number one inbound group. The number of visitors from the US touched 7.99 lakh, out of the total 50.81 lakh foreigners who came to India last year. The UK came out second best by a wafer thin margin, for once, sending 7.96 lakh visitors in 2007.
Indiais now nearly as popular a destination for Americans as Spain, according to reports emanating from the US. One can partially put this down to the still strong Dollar against the Rupee, as opposed the Dollar’s declining fortune vis-à-vis the Euro. Travel to India from the United States increased 10% between 2006 and 2007, on the back of an 8% rise the year before. More Americans visited India last year than traditionally popular destinations such as Ireland and Thailand.
And even the profile of the travelers has changed a fair bit. It is no longer just the backpacker who took to India on the heels of the Beatles trip to Rishikesh. Indian mysticism remains a strong draw, but it is the new variety of tourist who is feeding the boom. This variety includes business travelers, professionals of Indian origins and wealthy American who travel club class. Hope into swish spas and heritage properties!
A bullish economy, improved infrastructure, emergence of low cost carriers, an aggressive marketing campaign by the Indian Tourism Ministry and emergence of internet have fueled this surge. The improved penetration of internet has meant hotels in India have paid due attention to creating websites with quality photography, thus reaching out to a global audience. Top spas and heritage properties such as ‘Ananda In the Himalayas’ & ‘Devigarh Fort Palace’ have only enhanced India’s image. Open any reputed travel site and you are likely to read favorable hotel reviews of Indian hotels.
