Holiday mood boosts Indian travel and tourism industry

Updated on: Monday, February 20, 2012

In the last few years, with a higher disposable income, the Indian middle class has been exploring a range of holiday destinations. This has boosted the Indian travel and tourism industry. In fact, both the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) and World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) had predicted that Asia, specifically India and China, will drive the future of tourism.

The data released by ministry of tourism (MOT) and WTO has verified this prediction, according to which, tourism in Asia has witnessed a double-digit growth despite the worldwide economic slowdown . According to the data released by MOT, foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) to India during January 2012 was 6.81 lakh as compared to FTA of 6.24 lakh during January 2011 - a year-on-year (y-o-y ) growth of 9.2%.

Sandeep Kulshreshtha, professor and head, academics, and nodal officer , Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM), explains , "In 2009-10 the Indian travel and tourism sector took a hit due to the 26/11 terrorist attacks, H1N1 flu and the global economic meltdown. But in 2010, India's image transformed as a safe holiday destination due to the successful completion of the CWG games, world cup cricket finals and the IPL."

According to Kulshreshtha, a robust economy, enhanced standards of living and implementation of the sixth pay commission have led to a significant rise in the disposable income of Indians and has contributed to the fact that Indians are travelling more.

He says, "Tourism is concerned with disposable income; the moment disposable incomes flourish, tourism flourishes. We have a large outbound tourism. The streets of Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia are filled with Indian tourists. A large segment of Indian tourists are even going to Europe and Australia. Though still in its nascent stage, the tourism industry in India is expected to do well for the next 20-25 years."

Freshers can work with travel agencies, tour operators, airlines and hotels, after their graduation. The industry also offers a scope for entrepreneurship where professionals , after gaining an in-depth understanding of the markets, can start their own travel agencies or become independent tour operators or guides.

Application deadline for the IITTM Admission Test is February 26. Those with a valid CAT/MAT/C-MAT score may also apply by March 12 For details, log on to www.iittm.org

Times of India

More Education news

• Karnataka department of higher education to further strengthen protection to women students and employees
• Heads of government and private schools directed to keep a close watch on the behaviour of teachers
• Chairman of the National Commission for Minority Educational Institutions submits his report
• Everyone will be given due representation says Goa CM
• Pune Education Department to hold meetings with schools to ensure a smooth RTE implementation
• Health and Medical Education, Forest and Home departments within the ambit of Public Services Guarantee Act
• 'value education' courses in engineering colleges to inculcate better values and character building
• students challenge new NET gidelines
• Proposed multi crore edu city project nearing completion
• 21 engineering colleges affiliated to the Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University to seek accreditation
• MBBS and PG medical seats to be increased by 50% and 100% respectively from academic year 2013-14
• M S University's faculty of fine arts mired in controversy over a painting hurting religious sentiment
• IICA inks MoU with Bangalore-based National Law School of India University for forging academic partnership
• President asks private players to contribute in improving the standards of higher education
• First technical and medical university at picturesque Apatani Plateau in lower Subansiri district
• Prayas scheme to be extended to 4 more districts
• Jamia Millia Islamia Professor gets Japan Society for the Promotion of Science Fellowship
• Japans new government will not waive tution fee to pro-Pyongyang high schools
• Most Israeli high school students found accessing Mobile phone during class hours
• UGC notifies the procedure and criteria for declaration of result for NET to be conducted on 30.12.12