India’s travel industry to expand 5-6 % in 2010

According to InterGlobe Technology Quotient, a leading global travel and technology distribution company, India’s travel industry is likely to grow at 5-6 % 2010, a little higher than the expected global average of 4.5 %.

ITQ CEO J B Singh said, “We expect a steady growth of close to 5-6 per cent for the travel industry of India. A bit above the expected global average of 4.5 per cent”.

He said that the Commonwealth Games in October would drive travel volumes both, inbound and intra India and also boost India’s image as a travel destination.

Singh said that 2009 was a year of many changes in the travel economy for India as overall global markets went down by as much as 15 per cent due to the economic downturn.

Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) in January were estimated 4.91 lakh, an increase of 16.4 per cent over the year ago period. Overseas arrivals had contracted by 17.6 per cent in January 2009 compared to the same month last year.

According to Mr. Singh, adoption of technology is an important factor, which can also help the growth of the Indian travel business. “In 2010 alternate booking solutions via new technologies like mCommerce and taking the travel agent online will have a great impact,” he said.

Singh said the enhanced capacity with aircraft induction as well as reconfiguring of aircraft to full economy would provide greater production in the domestic space. The growth in budget hotels in the organised sector would be another stimulant for the travel industry, Singh said.

Commonwealth Games a big opportinity for India

New Delhi: Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja has described the forthcoming Commonwealth Games in Delhi as a big opportunity to showcase India's beauty and its rich cultural diversity.

Inaugurating the newly renovated Hotel Janpath in the Capital, the Minister said, "Commonwealth Games is a big opportunity for all of us in India. Thousands of athletes and tourists from all over the World will come to India during the Games and witness the country's rich cultural diversity and its beauty."

Addressing reporters at the inauguration of the hotel, which has been designated as the Games family hotel, the Minister, however, said all stakeholders involved in the Games had to pitch in for timely completion of the infrastructure pertaining to the Games.

"All the stakeholders have to pitch in for timely completion of tourist infrastructure for the Games" Ms Selja said.

Makeover of Hotel Janpath

• Hotel Janpath has undergone an extensive makeover, to bring it on par with global quality standards, to host the international delegates of the upcoming Commonwealth Games.
• The newly inaugurated hotel now boasts of 148 renovated rooms including 20 suites, which are functional yet luxurious.
• The lobby of the hotel has been completely re-designed to give an impression of a lavish entrance, and is reminiscent of Lutyen's architectural theme.
• To give a grand look, the double height lobby has been adorned with massive imported crystal chandeliers from Czech Republic and Italian marble flooring which adds to the hotel's exuberance.
• The entire look of the hotel has been designed to project Indian extravagance. While the original structure of Hotel Janpath is intact, several contemporary additions have been made to appeal to the world traveler.
• The hotel exterior has been adorned with tinted glasses to give a classy appearance to the entire façade.

To appeal to a global palette, Hotel Janpath will now offer extensive cuisines ranging from Italian and Mediterranean to Mangalorean and North Indian.

The renovation of Janpath Hotel is part of the endeavour by the India Tourism Development Corporation to renovate the state-run hotels Asoka, Samrat and Janpath to create a world class ambience to cater to the foreign tourists expected to throng the city during the International sporting event, scheduled to be held in October.

Talking to UNI on the occasion, Director (Commercial and Marketing) Rajiv Makkar said a total budget of of Rs 100 crore has been earmarked for the renovation of the three hotels.

The target date for completion of the renovation process is March 31, 2010, he said.