While Americans and Europeans are cautiously downsizing their holiday plans, Indians — buoyed by a booming economy — are travelling abroad more than ever before.
As upwardly-mobile Mumbaikars draw out plans for foreign holidays this summer, a new wave of European countries is laying out the red carpet for them. While regulars like Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France are renewing their efforts to woo cash-rich Indian travellers, countries like Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, which were earlier happy enough with tourists from their rich neighbouring countries, are now reaching out to the Indian tourist for the first time.
Much of this attention comes due to Europe’s fluctuating economic fortunes. While Americans and Europeans are cautiously downsizing their holiday plans, Indians — buoyed by a booming economy — are travelling abroad more than ever before.
“European countries are looking for newer markets, as their traditional markets are facing a tight situation,” says Vijaya Hariharan of Travel Consultants. He adds that an average Mumbai family spends nearly Rs5 lakh on a European holiday.
Leading the European charge is Switzerland, which has registered a 100% increase in the number of Indian tourists in the past five years, and is aiming for more. Swiss regions like Lugano, which were earlier open exclusively to Westerners, are now wooing Indians too.
“We have almost doubled the number of such Swiss tourism partners from 12 last year to 22 now, indicating the growing importance of the Indian market,” says Ritu Sharma, deputy director of Switzerland Tourism. She adds that this effort is also helping the Indian traveller explore new regions in Switzerland.
Similarly, Austria has registered a 43% rise in the number of Indian tourists last year alone.
Close on the heels of these countries, newcomers have also planned a series of events and promotions through this month to woo Indian tourists. “For the Czech Republic, India currently ranks among the top focus markets in Asia, and we’re offering an array of pull factors for those who want to explore new destinations,” says Radka Neumannova, director of Czech Tourism, which has registered a 40% increase in Indian tourists after setting up a dedicated India office just over a year ago.
Meanwhile, Indian tourists are comfortable with their new-found globetrotter status. “It’s no longer about getting a stamp on the passport or taking a whistle-stop tour of a dozen countries in as many days. Indians know exactly what they want and where they want to spend their money,” says Hariharan.
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