Tag Archives: Outbound tourism

Indian tourist arrivals in the Sultanate of Oman breached the half-million-mark last year, reaching 610,057 visitors—it is the highest recorded figure to this day. Oman’s hospitality has been a significant draw for Indian travellers, complemented by various factors fuelling its increasing popularity in India, including accessibility from all corners of the country, streamlined visa procedures, and availability of similar cultural influence. Highlighting the good relations shared by Oman and India, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, stated, “We are excited to witness the overwhelming response from the Indian travellers, thanks to Oman’s plethora of attractions, including its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality,” said Saada Abdullah Saif Al Harthi, Director, Business Development Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman. “This milestone reflects the collaboration between Oman and our Indian partners. We wish to strengthen the relations between Oman and India, boost Oman brand visibility and drive increase interest among premium luxury Indian travelers in the years to come.” Oman boasts a diverse array of jaw-dropping tourism attractions contributing to its appeal among Indian travellers. From forts to ancient ruins to the stunning natural landscapes encompassing deserts, mountains, and pristine beaches, Oman offers a captivating tapestry of experiences. They are the main reasons for the unprecedented surge of Indian tourist arrivals to Oman. Adventurous activities such as desert safaris, scuba diving, and trekking in the picturesque mountain ranges of Oman provide an opportunity for exploration and discovery. The colourful festivals and events held throughout the year offer detailed insights into the Sultanate’s vibrant traditions and heritage thereby enticing the Indian travellers to delve deeper into its wonders. The Sultanate’s appeal to Indian travellers lies …

The formal collaboration between the Cambodia Oknha Association (COA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has formally given way to the establishment of the India-Cambodia Joint Business Council (ICJBC). Cambodia’s tourism ministry revealed that Cambodia welcomed 68,836 Indian guests last year, a jump of 102%.

Thailand is pushing for a long-term reciprocal visa-free scheme for Indians as the country is all set to become world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The current temporary visa exemptions for Indians have boosted the business for both countries. By 18 February 2024, almost 258,269 tourists travelled to Thailand.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “The boom in outbound travel from India is driven by the growing middle class. In 2020, only 37 million households had annual income between $10,000-$35,000, but owing to rapid economic growth, by 2030 it will rise to 177 million households.”

70 per cent of Indians travelling overseas choose nearby destinations, with one-third choosing destinations in the Middle East, as per booking.com and McKinsey report. The UAE is the top choice in the Middle East for outbound visits, followed by Saudi Arabia. Around 1.9 million Indians visited Dubai in first 10 months of 2023.

“To maximize the benefit, TAT divides the allotted incentive budget for the MICE group into tier II and tier III cities along with tier I cities,” Siriges-A-Nong Trirattanasongpol, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand, responded when asked about the initiatives Thailand is taking to attract MICE groups to the country.

Björn Bender, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman, Rail Europe, highlighted during his visit to India, stating, “In 2023, India has become our second largest source market after the US. We saw a 65 per cent recovery from India in 2022, and currently, the company is growing at 75 per cent of pre-2019 levels.”

Addressing the dignitaries and alumni at IHM, Mumbai, Amitabh Kant, G-20 India Sherpa, said, “With India set to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2027, there will be a surge in Indian travellers globally, leading to more opportunities and responsibilities for the hospitality sector.”

Manta Air announced the commencement of its first international flight between Dhaalu Airport in Maldives and Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on 1 March, 2024. This new route will save 4-5 hours of tourists’ time as they can avoid the overtly crowded Velana International Airport of Maldives.

Morocco Tourism will organise an exciting webinar to showcase the destination to the travel trade today at 11:30 am. Attendees will learn about Morocco’s rich tourism assets and its experiential offerings for the Indian traveller. For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532 to register.