ID :
168210
Tue, 03/15/2011 - 07:28
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/168210
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INDIA'S LEADING TOUR OPERATOR VIEWS MALAYSIA AS A VERY PROMISING DESTINATION
By Manik Mehta
BERLIN, March 15 (Bernama)-- India's leading tour operator, the Travel Corporation of India (TCI), views Malaysia as a very promising destination.
It also found that the number of Indians visiting Malaysia under its programme for Southeast Asia is rising.
Vishal Suri, TCI's Gurgaon-based chief operating officer told Bernama in an interview at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) here, that India's proximity to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, made such visits very popular amongst outbound Indian tourists.
"Of the growing number of global leisure travellers from India estimated at 1.5 million according to one count, some 25 to 30 per cent headed for Southeast with Malaysia a popular destination," he said.
He also sees a visit to Southeast Asia as the "first step" in global tourism for Indian tourists.
"Besides, Southeast Asia offers very big incentives for travel from India.
"Malaysia is a good destination while Singapore happens to be the
most-planned destination. Thailand, on the other hand, is highly popular with incentive groups," Suri observed.
Another trend observed was that, repeat travellers from India also ventured into Indonesia, Vietnam and, lately, even China.
"In effect, I would say that visits to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau would be the first step.
"Having been to Malaysia, I personally find it a great destination. It would also greatly help Malaysia's tourism if the visa-on-arrival system is reinstated.
"This would be a big attraction for Indian tourists who are drawn, for example, to other destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong, because of the visa-on-arrival facility available to them," he said.
Indian travel and tour operators, who mingled with Malaysian tour operators and hoteliers at the show, were at a loss to understand why Malaysia had visa restrictions when Indian tourists brought in good revenue for multiple segments of the country's tourism industry.
When told that the restrictions were aimed at preventing Indians from overstaying and illegal immigration, Anand Goswami, who works for an Indian tour operator responded: "How many illegal immigrants can afford to visit Malaysia?
"And even if they had an intention to overstay, their number is a very small. Why punish the majority of genuine visitors who only want to spend their holidays, enjoy their visit and return home?
"Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong are more welcoming, in that respect."
BERLIN, March 15 (Bernama)-- India's leading tour operator, the Travel Corporation of India (TCI), views Malaysia as a very promising destination.
It also found that the number of Indians visiting Malaysia under its programme for Southeast Asia is rising.
Vishal Suri, TCI's Gurgaon-based chief operating officer told Bernama in an interview at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) here, that India's proximity to Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, made such visits very popular amongst outbound Indian tourists.
"Of the growing number of global leisure travellers from India estimated at 1.5 million according to one count, some 25 to 30 per cent headed for Southeast with Malaysia a popular destination," he said.
He also sees a visit to Southeast Asia as the "first step" in global tourism for Indian tourists.
"Besides, Southeast Asia offers very big incentives for travel from India.
"Malaysia is a good destination while Singapore happens to be the
most-planned destination. Thailand, on the other hand, is highly popular with incentive groups," Suri observed.
Another trend observed was that, repeat travellers from India also ventured into Indonesia, Vietnam and, lately, even China.
"In effect, I would say that visits to Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Macau would be the first step.
"Having been to Malaysia, I personally find it a great destination. It would also greatly help Malaysia's tourism if the visa-on-arrival system is reinstated.
"This would be a big attraction for Indian tourists who are drawn, for example, to other destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong, because of the visa-on-arrival facility available to them," he said.
Indian travel and tour operators, who mingled with Malaysian tour operators and hoteliers at the show, were at a loss to understand why Malaysia had visa restrictions when Indian tourists brought in good revenue for multiple segments of the country's tourism industry.
When told that the restrictions were aimed at preventing Indians from overstaying and illegal immigration, Anand Goswami, who works for an Indian tour operator responded: "How many illegal immigrants can afford to visit Malaysia?
"And even if they had an intention to overstay, their number is a very small. Why punish the majority of genuine visitors who only want to spend their holidays, enjoy their visit and return home?
"Singapore, Thailand and Hong Kong are more welcoming, in that respect."
