BASED on the number of visas issued by the Indian missions, about 215,000 people from the Middle East region visited India last year compared with 172,600 in 2007.
The number of visitors from the UAE grew to 78,400 from 60,800 in 2007. From Saudi Arabia, the numbers grew from 19,502 in 2007 to 26,730 in 2008. Oman, Iran and Turkey were the other key markets last year, followed by Kuwait, Bahrain and Yemen.
The Gulf and Middle East region is one of the important markets for the Indian travel industry. The Ministry of Tourism wants to strengthen the spirit of Indo-UAE partnership for trade development and cultural exchanges between the two regions. "India’s centuries old multi-faceted ties with the Arab world, its geographical proximity, long standing cultural and trading ties between the two nations will help take our partnership to newer heights," said Manmohan Sadana, regional director India Tourism.
"India was always an interesting destination with fascinating diversity but now it is on the top of the list for tour operators and others in the $26.1 billion by 2010. I am confident that the tourist arrivals from the UAE and neighbouring Gulf countries will contribute significantly to the growth."
An improved infrastructure, accessibility and marketing have helped Indian tourism in achieving high growth. Further, travellers who visit India in 2009 will have a chance to sample the country’s exotic adventure tourism and eco, rural and wellness tourism in 2010 and 2011. The move is among many incentives offered to encourage repeat visitors to India.
The Visit India 2009 scheme launched in April continues until December. The government of India has announced various incentives such as value additions offered to foreign tourists visiting the country during this period.
India Tourism’s Dubai office has carried out a number of campaigns to encourage summer visitors to India, including road shows in Muscat and Bahrain, Indian food festivals in Ankara and Dubai, plus branding of Incredible India on buses in Dubai, Muscat, Bahrain and in Salalah, Oman, according to C Gangadhar, assistant director India Tourism.