Call for reforms to boost tourism

NEW DELHI: Even though India is among the world's biggest and fastest expanding tourism markets, with inbound, domestic and outbound travel setting new growth records in 2006, significant infrastructure limitations like clogged and creaking airports, ageing air traffic control systems and a chronic hotel shortage is threatening to slow down India's ascension, says a report on Indian tourism.

Thanks to India's consumption-driven economy, rapidly growing affluent middle class, increased Government focus on tourism promotion, powerful branding campaigns and on-going liberalisation of air transport policies that have contributed to India's emergence as a tourism powerhouse, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) in its 280-page report -- Total Tourism India-- has said that the country needs quick reforms to grow further.

According to the report, Indians are among the biggest spenders in the world and as international travellers they tend to take longer trips, often in large family groups and have a high repeat visitation to preferred destinations. International outbound trips by Indians swelled to 8.3 million in 2006 as compared to 7.2 million in 2005. Home tourism too has grown significantly, thanks to low cost carriers.

The domestic trips reached an all time high of 430 million in 2006 leading to a 13 per cent increase from 2005. The PATA report has called for a seven-point action plan to achieve full potential of tourism in India. The action plan includes expanding airport capacity, reforms in airline policy, adding budget hotel rooms, slashing taxes, cutting down on red-tape, boosting training and streamlining of visa processing, boosting human resources.