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Vimala Vasan

ABU DHABI, Sept. 14

PROMOTING India as a major MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) destination and promotion of popular Indian holiday resorts to Gulf tour operators are expected to give a boost to the Dubai-based Government of India Regional Tourist Office in maintaining its target of two per cent growth in Arab tourist arrivals to India this year, over 2001.

Mr Gour Kanjilal, Regional Director, told Business Line that the peak period between May and September was relatively positive in terms of Arab tourists flow to India, given the overall downturn witnessed in tourist traffic to India this year.

"We are hoping to achieve at least a five per cent positive growth during July-September and hope to add more visitors during October-December, and end the year with around one to two per cent growth and not a total negative growth,'' he said.

One of the thrust areas included promoting India as MICE destination. Being very strategically located the country could take big exhibitions and conferences from both the East and the West.

It was also well-connected by air services from various parts of the world, Mr Kanjilal said.

"We are bringing out a special MICE supplement to boost India as a conference and convention destination, with golfing holidays, spa holidays and luxury rail tours as adding value to such packages. The focus will be on IT companies, MNCs and large groups and we plan direct marketing, as well as mail kits and attractive offers.

"We will try to establish contacts with the leading exhibition organisers in the region and present the opportunities in India for specific exhibitions on IT, health, education, interior design, building products, automobiles and accessories. We have planned to participate in the AIBTM in Bahrain to establish a strong presence in the MICE segments,'' he said.

A synergised approach with the industry and trade bodies to promote India as a corporate incentive destination had also been worked out in the national tourism policy, he said.

The official indicated that with the change in travel patterns, India was now putting more emphasis on intra-regional tourism and dependence on the neighbouring friendly countries in the Gulf as source markets for inbound tourism into the country.

"There will be also be a good number of buyers from the Gulf for the India International Tourism Mart in New Delhi, and a big delegation of non-resident Indians and persons of Indian origin for Pravasi Bhartiya Divas celebrations from January 9 to11, 2003,'' Mr Kanjilal said.

The regional tourist office also planned to participate in the West Asia travel fair in Cairo this month, travel fair in Iran in October and hold a special India evening in Kuwait next month.

The immediate focus was on boosting tourist traffic to India during the forthcoming Eid holidays, the official said.

He admitted that budgetary constraints have put a spanner on more promotions. Another aspect to be addressed, he said, was the over pricing of tourist packages and high taxation in India compared with Far East countries.The latter have fared better in attracting tourists from West Asia as a result

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