 |
|
India's first Oceanarium proposed in Coastal Konkan
MORE
[+] |
 |
|
Karnataka Tourism's Website Ranks Sixth, Says Studies
MORE
[+] |
 |
|
Foreigners Allowed to Invest Directly in Equities
MORE [+] |
|
| |
| 07. TOURISM UPDATE |
|
|
| The Hindu Business Line: October 28, 2011 |
Bengaluru: As a brand and destination, Karnataka's popularity has grown, according to two recent tourism-related surveys. A study conducted by global hospitality services firm, HVS, to measure marketing effectiveness on Internet, puts Karnataka Tourism's Web site in the sixth position in the country, from last year's 13 {+t} {+h} rank.
On the other hand, the India State Ranking Survey 2011, Karnataka is now ranked fourth as a tourist destination in India.
In 2009, the State was ranked 12 {+t} {+h}. “The State's growth as a brand and destination is being attributed to greater exposure in established and growing tourism markets across the world,” said a press note from the state tourism department.
HVS study
The HVS study also attributes the success to the brand's online presence.
According to Mr Viswanatha Reddy, Director - Department of Tourism, Government of Karnataka, the State managed to achieve this with merely two short bursts of mass media communication.
As a direct result of these bursts of communication, compared to just about 20,000 site visits between April and August 2010, September to March saw more than 5.5 lakh visitors to the Karnataka Tourism Web site, he pointed out.
Global attraction
By creating awareness about the cultural heritage, natural resources and tradition of Karnataka, the State aims to open a whole new horizon for the international traveling community to reach out to.
And that makes Karnataka, in the coming years, a destination to reckon with, the release said.
|
| More overseas tourists now prefer to drive in India |
| The Hindu Business Line: December 19, 2011 |
New Delhi: The popularity of India as a driving destination seems to be on the rise, with car rental firm Avis citing a 60 per cent rise in foreign tourist arrivals with self-drive packages in 2011.
Avis, the only such agency with a self-drive car fleet in India, says that the segment has doubled to around 10,000 bookings this year. Up to 40 per cent of the demand is from inbound tourists.
“Around two-thirds of the inbound tourists are foreigners, while the rest are non-resident Indians. People are taking longer trips now, with most of the higher demand coming from the cities of Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore,” Sunil Gupta, CEO, Avis India, told Business Line.
The company is present in 17 cities and has 1,400 vehicles, most of which are available for self-drive.
An industry expert said that overseas tourist arrivals with plans to drive could have risen as road infrastructure has improved in the country and many routes are now mapped on GPS-based navigation devices.
Also, the variety of holiday options in India makes it an exotic destination for foreigners with tight budgets, especially when the rupee is weak.
Avis' advantage is its global network and presence in the European and North American markets (170 countries in all).
This makes it easier for tourists from these regions to book vehicles in India through their local branch. Also, through global tie-ups with hotel chains and travel agents, it can offer complete holiday packages.
“Oberoi (joint venture partners) is a high quality brand, as viewed by corporates, and they offer exotic vacation packages. So we have a strong clientele stream coming from there. With travel agents like Yatra.com, we have the whole chain working with us.
The Avis brand is also well recognised globally, which helps,” Gupta said.
However, Gupta lamented that the overall inbound leisure traffic is yet to come back to 2008 levels because of the global slowdown.
|
| Mysore Palace is among the world's 31 must-see places |
| The Economic Times: October 22, 2011 |
Bangalore: If Madame Tussauds in London attracts the maximum number of tourists from across the world, the majestic Mysore Palace ranks a close second in the list of the most-visited places on the globe. In yet another affirmation of its drawing power, the New York Times recently listed it as one of the 31 must-see places on Earth for two consecutive years.
The palace plays host to an average 2.5 million tourists each year. Going by the growing tourist footfalls, Karnataka tourism department officials say it could well be the numero uno soon.
Feedback from tourists from the UK, Spain, France and other countries suggests that the palace has mesmerized visitors. Many wonder why Buckingham Palace has been considered magnificent for so long when the Mysore Palace can boast of superior construction.
In 2010, Mysore Palace had a domestic visitor footfall of 3.1 million and another 70,000 from abroad. Other places in Mysore played host to 7 million domestic and 12,000 international visitors. The first nine months of 2011 have seen 2.4 million domestic visitors and 60,000 international visitors touring the palace. The city, on the other hand, received a whopping 6.75 million domestic and 25,000 foreign tourists till September.
"The Mysore Palace and the city attract a large number of tourists to the state. Hardly does Mysore get left out of a tour itinerary involving either Karnataka or south India," says a senior official of the tourism department.
Tours that start in Tamil Nadu and end in Bangalore enter Karnataka from Wayanad through Nagarahole, Mysore or Hassan before reaching Bangalore. for onward departures.
A lot of tours enter Karnataka coming through Ooty, Bandipur and Mysore and conclude at Bangalore.
"Mysore generates a handsome revenue for the state," senior tourism officials said. It's evident by the fact that three new hotels are coming up in a big way to cash on the growing business. Readying their infrastructure are Radisson Blu Plaza (170 rooms), Sheraton Mysore Hotel (220 rooms) and the Country Inn Suites (130 rooms), all expected to start operations in one year.
"The fact that Mysore is also popular as a hub for wellness, yoga and meditation, among other things, contributes in a big way to bring good revenue for the state," says Vinita R of Windflower Spa and Resorts in Mysore.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
