VARIOUS initiatives encouraging spiritually enhancing, culturally enriching, physically invigorating and mentally rejuvenating experiences are currently underway according to India Tourism Dubai’s regional director KL Das.
Tourism has been one of the largest net earners of foreign exchange for India. Foreign tourist arrivals have increased by 78 per cent in the last five years and foreign exchange earnings during the same period have grown by 122 per cent.
The year 2006 saw an increase of 13 per cent in foreign tourist arrivals (4.41 million) over 2005 with arrivals of 3.9 million. The first seven months of 2007 saw an increase of 11.9 per cent with an arrival of 2.76 million as compared to the first seven months of 2006 with an arrival of 2.47 million.
India Tourism has launched a bed and breakfast scheme, common in Europe. Under the scheme, the house owners can offer up to five rooms or 10 beds with good comfortable beds working space, air-conditioning facilities as well as attached western toilets.
Budget category spare rooms are also available. Various house owners in have had classified their facilities as Incredible India Bed & Breakfast Establishments, under ‘old’ or ‘silver’ category.
This facility makes rooms available at affordable cost for the tourists, who wish to visit India. It also gives them an opportunity to stay with Indian families and experience the Indian culture.