Rising outbound Indian tourists heading towards Malaysia, S'pore, Thailand, Dubai: ASSOCHAM paper

Aggressive tour operators offering packages for as low as Rs 25,000-Rs 30,000 combined with rising aspirations of the upper middle class families to travel abroad has led to a robust increase of 29 per cent in outbound Indian tourists this summer with Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai and Maldives emerging as the top and affordable destinations for the better-offs, an ASSOCHAM study has pointed out.  Excessive heat in most parts of the country, particularly in the North, coupled with attractive packages for nearby countries like Dubai, Singapore, Thailand ,Malaysia, Europe etc are wooing the well-off middle class to opt for such destinations, highlights the ASSOCHAM Tourism Development Council (ATDC) paper.Despite the economic slowdown and currency fluctuations, India’s outbound tourism market has increased by 29% this year as compared to last season (20%), reveals the associated chamber of commerce and industry of India (ASSOCHAM) findings.The ease of travelling has also gone up- right from hotel booking, airlines booking and transfers from and to hotels are all available on a click of a button", said Mr D S Rawat ASSOCHAM Secretary GeneralThe tour packages are available as low as Rs 25,000-30,000 for outbound trips. In fact some of the overseas destinations like Thailand are working out cheaper than the domestic destinations like Kerala for Delhiites, tempting the families to go abroad for holidays, adds the paper. The sectors like aviation and tour operators are doing brisk business this summer season.  According to the paper, international tourist destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Dubai, Maldives, China and South Africa will be Indian travellers’ favorites this summer.

European countries, which for long remained favourite for tourists from India are being replaced by cheaper destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore etc. interest in cruise packages too has increased. Honeymooners enquire about Morocco, Spain, Portugal and prefer Kenya for wildlife etc, adds the paper.

The growth in the Indian travel and tourism industry is driven by a combination of rising income levels and changing lifestyles, development of diverse tourism offerings, and policy and regulatory support by the government authorities, said Mr. Rawat.

India is one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets in the world, said Mr. Rawat. India offers enormous potential for future growth in outbound travel. Whether to meet a relative settled abroad, a shopping trip, a global sport event or just for leisure, Indians are increasingly travelling abroad. Personal and Official Travel for holiday/ leisure, business are the most significant contributors for growing outbound travel.

As per the prior estimates, India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020. While business travel and holiday dominates outbound volumes, people are also opting for niche products like sports tourism, luxury travels, honeymoon packages and cruises.

Countries like Indonesia, Philippines, Mauritius and Egypt are also seeing an increase in influx of Indian tourists. Increased promotional activities by travel agents will further drive outbound departures to many new destinations in the years to come.