Take Skift
In recent years, India has focused on developing tourist destinations. As part of its plan to diversify its offering to attract different types of travelers, adventure tourism is meeting a growing demand.
Bulbul Dhawan
The Indian government is looking at adventure tourism as a way to promote destinations across the country. For example, earlier this month, the new tourism minister, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, went skydiving in Haryana on the occasion of World Skydiving Day.
It may or may not have been effective in promoting the sport in India, but he took the opportunity to announce that the government was focusing on developing Goa and Madhya Pradesh as skydiving hubs.
This week, in the Indian Parliament, Shekhawat said the government is encouraging adventure tourism as part of its efforts to promote Indian destinations and has also formulated national strategies for adventure tourism.
Adventure Tourism in India: Although still a little explored area, adventure tourism in India is gaining momentum.
- Adventures in the sky: Bangalore and Himachal Pradesh offer skydiving enthusiasts.
- Adventures on land: Mountaineering, skiing, rock climbing, bungee jumping and caving are among the adventure tourism activities developed across the country.
- Water adventures: India has a strong inland water system and a long coastline, making it suitable for rafting, canoeing, kayaking, scuba diving, surfing and river cruises.
The government is also focusing on Ladakh as an adventure tourism destination, with activities like mountain biking, trekking, rafting, ice trekking, Bactrian camel riding, rock climbing and camping.
Financing for the development of tourist circuits: India is developing tourist circuits in Northeast India and Jammu and Kashmir, and is including adventure tourism destinations like Tawang, Ladakh, Darjeeling and Sikkim in these circuits.
Between 2014 and 2019, the Government of India allocated a cumulative amount of INR 8.16 billion (USD 97.5 million) for the development of tourism circuits in Northeast India, of which INR 7.83 billion (USD 93.5 million) was released.
The government has allocated Rs 5.88 billion ($70.2 million) for the development of tourism circuits in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of this, Rs 5.18 billion ($61.9 million) has been released.
Indian budget focuses on tourism in Bihar and Odisha
The Government of India announced the full budget for the 2024-25 financial year on Tuesday. While the Travel industry executives' hopes As the targets were not met, the government announced plans to establish a Vishnupad temple in Gaya and a Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya in Bihar to boost spiritual tourism.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also said that a comprehensive development initiative would be launched to develop Rajgir, a key religious destination in the state of Bihar.
The government is also focusing on developing Odisha as a major tourist destination by developing and promoting its temples, monuments, wildlife sanctuaries, natural landscapes and beaches.
Young people account for 80% of Airbnb bookings made by Indians in Thailand
Airbnb data showed that bookings in Thailand from Indian guests increased by 60%, with the increase largely driven by younger travelers: Gen Z and Millennials account for 80% of Airbnb bookings from Indian guests.
India is one of Thailand's largest source markets, and Southeast Asian nation hopes to attract 1.7 million Indian visitors This year. Until May of this yearOver 842,000 Indians visited Thailand, making India the fourth largest source market to date. This figure represents an increase of over 39% over the same period last year.
Airbnb data showed that during this year's Holi and Easter long weekends in March, searches for stays in Thailand increased by over 200% among Indian travellers.
Thailand has made visa-free entry for Indians till November this year and also assesses whether this facility could be extended permanently to Indian travelers.
Air India to deploy A350 on New York, Newark routes
Former national carrier Air India will deploy its flagship A350-900 aircraft on Delhi-New York JFK and Delhi-Newark routes. While the A350 will start flying on the Delhi-New York sector from November 1, the aircraft will operate on the Delhi-Newark route from January 2.
The deployment of the aircraft will also mark the introduction of the airline's Premium Economy cabin class on these routes, Air India said in a statement. Apart from this, the aircraft will also have Business and Economy cabin classes. The airline already operates the three-class configuration on flights between India and San Francisco.
MakeMyTrip and the rise of the middle class
India's growing middle class and rising disposable income has boosted spending on discretionary services, while growth in the lower middle class has boosted domestic travel, said Rajesh Magow, Group CEO, MakeMyTrip, during an earnings conference call on Tuesday.
Magow highlighted the impact of younger generations who have brought about a cultural shift towards more frequent breaks. He also noted a positive long-term outlook for outbound travel from India with a growing number of first-time tourists, especially to emerging destinations like Turkey and Kazakhstan, which have seen a significant increase in Indian tourists.
MakeMyTrip recorded its highest quarterly levels of gross bookings, revenue and adjusted operating profit, with gross booking value exceeding $2.4 billion, representing a growth of 22% YoY in Q1 FY25. Adjusted operating profit increased by 30% YoY to $39 million for the period ending June 30, 2024.
“We recorded these good numbers despite the late resumption of the leisure travel season due to the general elections in April,” Magow said.
Port Blair seaport now open for e-visa holders
The Port Blair seaport in the Andaman Islands is now an official entry point for Indian e-visa holders. The development would allow e-visa travellers to enter India by yacht, superyacht or cruise via Port Blair.
Until now, only regular visa holders issued by the Indian Embassy in their country could travel to the Port Blair seaport by yacht or cruise. This has led many visitors to give up visiting the Andaman Islands.
The move is expected to boost tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. data shared by the Union Territory Tourism DepartmentLast April, more than 175,000 tourists visited the archipelago. Of these, only 5,500 were international tourists.
