India expects boost in foreign tourist arrivals in the Christmas-New Year season

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

India is expected to see a 10 to 15 percent increase in foreign tourist arrivals this December – New Year festival season, a silver lining for the country amidst growing fears about deepening economic slowdown in the country with several sectors facing demand slow down.

Tour operators and hotels and resorts across leading tourist destinations in India such as Goa, Kerala and Delhi have said they are seeing 10 percent and above increase in bookings already compared to the 2017 level.

Tour operators said the relatively weak rupee is expected to add to the increase in foreign tourist arrivals, especially from UK, Europe and the US.

Last year was extremely bad year for tourism in India, with devastating floods in Kerala and severe pollution in Delhi and neighbouring states, leading to large number of foreign tourists skipping their India visit plans.

“This year is looking much better in terms of both actual bookings and enquiries,” Pronab Sarkar, President, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), told.

Tourist arrivals in India have seen a 26 percent jump in October this year to 944,233 from 750,514 in the previous month, according to the latest data.

“With the reduction in visa fee and GST (goods and services tax), we expect a good increase in foreign tourist arrivals this Christmas-New Year season,” Sarkar added

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