Chennai: It’s a problem of plenty hemmed in by the inability to exploit the available opportunities. The exponential growth in the domestic tourism market has opened many avenues for the travel trade sector, which sees scope for good business in the coming days. Not wanting to be left out, the Travel Agents Federation of India has planned to work out a strategy to help tap the huge domestic tourism market potential for its members.
India had received over 69.7 lakh foreign tourists during 2013 while 1.663 crore Indians set out to explore exotic foreign destinations during the same year. The foreign exchange earnings through tourism for the country last year was pegged at a whopping Rs 1,07,671 crore.
“The more the number of international visitors, all the more will be the revenue for India through foreign exchange. Also, the scope for domestic tourism is likely to increase with several initiatives of the government,” a senior tourism official here said.
During 2012, the number of foreign tourists visiting India was estimated to be around 65.8 lakhs while 1.492 crore Indians had visited foreign destinations. Foreign exchange earnings through tourism in India during 2012 had been Rs 94,487 crore.
The new Managing Committee of TAFI, which assumed office recently after the elections at its 20th Annual General Meeting at New Delhi has resolved to work towards reducing the financial burden on travel agents and find solutions for numerous issues faced by them. As far as weekly payments to airlines are concerned, Zakir Ahmed Kalarikkal, president of TAFI, said that his organisation was trying to convince both airline companies and IATA that the Indian market is not ready for that.
“Domestic tourism is growing exponentially and we will guide our members as how to capture that growing market,” said Praveen Chugh vice president.
