Notwithstanding the terror strikes on Mumbai, India continues to attract tourists with a majority of them flocking Kashmir, a top Indian tourism official has said.
"India is a safe destination and Kashmir is absolutely safe. It is open for tourist traffic," director, India Tourism, UK, Jagdish Chander said at the First Incredible India 2009 Roadshow at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel in London on Tuesday night.
Kashmir is fully booked for tourists this summer, he noted.
Pranav Sarkar, Hon. secretary of Indian Associations of Tour Operators said tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand are flocking Kashmir.
India's high commissioner to the UK, Shiv Shankar Mukherjee, who formally launched the Road Show by lighting a lamp, said "It is really an incredible India, a land of vast diversity. The Incredible India Programme reflects the truth."
The Road show showcases hotels, airlines, attractions and tours.
"This year our road shows are bigger and better than ever before. Over 30 exhibitors participated in the Road show, raising awareness of their product among those working in the travel industry in the UK," Chander said.
Similar road shows will be held in Birmingham, Liverpool, Glasgow and Dublin.
It's a different scene in Bhutan: According to another report from Thimphu, with the global downturn showing no signs of slowing down and countries like the US and Japan among the worst hit, Bhutan has seen its tourist arrivals drop by over 30 per cent in just under a year.
Last year, the number of tourists visiting Bhutan was 5,355 between January and March. For the same period this year, the number dwindled to 1,480.
"The average duration of nights spent, which was an average of 12 in the past, has come down to about seven-eight nights now," said Yangphel Tours and Treks director Karma Lotey.
This year, Yangphel has seen about 260 visitors, in comparison to last year's 12,000 visitors. Under pressure, tour operators say they may have to downsize their employees or shut down soon.
Most tourists coming to Bhutan are from the US, followed by Europe and Japan.
Text: PTIImage: An Israeli tourist rests in hammock on a house boat in Nigeen Lake on the outskirts of Srinagar. | Photograph: Danish Ismail/Reuters
