Opportunity for Indian Tourism Industry from China

India has paltry share of .64% of total international tourist arrivals, though India probably has the richest repertoire of architectural monuments, diverse flora and fauna, more than 5000 years old culture, numerous languages and dialects, pantheon of gods, several sects, mind-blowing geographical landscapes etc. In this scenario, Indian tourism industry may hit a jackpot by attracting tourists from China.

China, as continuously high growth economy since decades, has grown into a booming tourist market, both inbound as well as inbound. As per the estimates, about 50 million Chinese people travel across the world spending roughly $40 billion per year. Out of these 50 million Chinese tourists, less than 1,00,000 travel to India on business and tourism.   

The recently released movie- Life of Pi, directed by Taiwan-born director Ang Lee, has been lapped up by the Chinese audience in China. The movie, shot in South Indian state of Puducherry (formerly known as Pondicherry), has generated lot of curiosity regarding India and Indian culture. Indian tourism industry is required to be warmed up to this kind of opportunity. India government can facilitate by creating world class infrastructure.

India has many things to highlight with concerted and well thought out promotion. India has lot more to showcase a guest on India tour like: gargantuan forts and palaces, golden desert of Jaisalmer, Buddhist sites like Sarnath, Bodh Gaya, Ajanta, Sanchi; architectural marvels of Khajuraho temples and Taj Mahal; Royal Bengal tigers in Ranthambhore and Bandhavgarh, temples of South India, spiritual capital of India- Varanasi, beaches of Goa and Kovalam etc. Post liberalization, Indian tourism industry has grown with galloping rate. Various kinds of India tour packages are offered by Indian tour operators, catering distinctive needs of the tourists.