Domestic tourism gets a boost

The Gateway of India & behind the famous Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai

Many Indians are choosing to travel within the country rather than venture abroad. High costs and the depreciation in the value of the rupee against the US dollar is driving domestic tourism, as weak rupee makes travelling abroad costlier, and India has become a more attractive destination for dollar wielding foreign tourists.

Jagannath Temple in Puri, Orissa 

Foreign tourists find India an attractive option, as they get more purchasing power due to the weak local currency than the other South East Asian countries. After a bad summer, with tourists choosing to stay away as the media flashed the rape cases during the period did not help too. But things are finally looking up for the domestic tourism and hospitality industry with rising demand in winter holidays. Apart from the traditional spots such as Goa and Kerala, tourists are making for Khajuraho and Udaipur as well. 

Bon Jesus Church in Old Goa

Tourists also seem to prefer off-beat and less explored locations like Gwalior, Varanasi, Hubli, Sasov Gir and other South, East and Northern India.

During the year-end holidays, a growth of 30-35% has been recorded in the inbound travel segment. About 76% of the travelers preferring to take their holidays within India as compared to destinations such as Goa, Kerala and out of the mainland India, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Vivekanand Rock Memorial

While Indians are now opting for shorter holidays abroad, the fluctuating currency has contributed to the surge in Indian travelers within India. This year the Christmas and New Year period is showing an increasing demand from domestic travelers. ‘Three hundred additional room-nights have been booked by Indians this year than last year, a growth of 18% said Kapil Chopra, President – Oberoi group of hotels.

Kedarnath temple in Himalayas

In a way, the fall in the rupee dropped foreign travel, but has boosted Indian tourism. It has reduced the number of Indians travelling abroad, and it has added opportunities in domestic markets, an unexpected boost for the industry that is grappling with the economic slowdown. It is also helping all tourism related industry, like hotels, handicrafts, etc. The arrival of foreign in-bound tourists is expected to 

Murdeshwar temple in Karnataka

rise in the next couple of weeks along with local tourists taking advantage of the airlines quoting low and very competitive fares. It has never been so good for local tourist places and business. Apart from this, the year 2014 has many weekends, and that's good news.

Red Fort in Agra

Tirupati temple in Andhra Pradesh

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