NORTH HOT TOURIST SPOT
FOR 07 CHRISTMAS: ASSOCHAM

Over five lakh tourists are likely to visit various tourists destinations such as Jaipur, Udaipur, Massourie, Nanital, Shimla, Kullu-Manali, Kashmir valley, Goa, Mysore and Trivantapuram during forthcoming Christmas, beginning 21st December onwards.

According to the estimates made by the ASSOCHAM based on feedback received from various tour operators, bookings for Christmas celebrations have begun and the above identified spots are emerging as top priorities for tourists in various pockets of India.

As a result of economic boom and rising hotels tariffs in large metro's and larger townships are the primary factor for shift of tourist choices to secluded places in states like Rajasthan, Uttranchal, Himachal Pradesh, J&K, Kerala and Karnataka, in which the tourist destinations could be best enjoyed with budgeted pockets, says the ASSOCHAM President, Mr. Venugopal N. Dhoot.

The tourist operators and agents that appraised the ASSOCHAM emerging trends for the tourist during forthcoming Christmas include, Angad Travels India, India Tour Guide , Indian Travel, North India Tours etc., added Mr. Dhoot.

During last Christmas, Goa happened to be highly congested tourist spot, for tourist belongings to not only western part of country but equally for central and south India because it provided tourism opportunities at competitive tariffs. This year, the trend is more towards tourist spots that are comparatively cheaper as tariffs for hotels accommodation have jumped up by nearly 35-40% with food and beverages cost also going up by nearly 20-25% in larger towns and metros, said Mr. D S Rawat, Secretary General ASSOCHAM.

Tourist spots that provide for cheaper cost have become the preferred destinations and tourist would like to enjoy the beginning of crisp winter in smaller places like Massourie, Nanital, Shimla, Kullu Manali.

Massourie and Nanital are also emerging as the best tourist destinations for North Indians as tourists can attain twin objectives their - one is that of site seeing and another of religious tourism as both Haridwar and Rishikesh are nearer to Massourie and that of Nanda Devi close to Nainital.

It has been observed that the identified places for Christmas holidays are best India suited for all kinds of tourism including rural, cultural, eco-tourism, spiritual, sports and adventure. The tourism industry encompasses accommodations, travel, transport, leisure and entertainment and offers immense employment potential at almost all levels.

Also, India's tourist industry is booming due to a rush of foreign tourists and increased travel by Indians to domestic and overseas destinations.With the great potential available and the development initiatives taken by the government, Indian inbound Tourism has shown a substantial growth in 2006-07.

However, India has to struggle to market itself to the world tourists. For a long time, tourism has been treated as a leisure activity of the rich and somewhat unnecessary destruction for the poor in India. Hence, no concerted efforts were made to develop tourism as an industry in the country.

Now, the story is different as the government is making tourism as a lead industry because of its immense potential for higher revenue realization and i.e. campaign like incredible India was launched in recent times.