Last year, without direct flights, Bali welcomed over 400,000 Indian tourists. This staggering figure underscores the immense potential for growth once direct flight routes are established, stated Ina H. Krisnamurthi, Ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in India.
“Thanks to initiatives like IndiGo’s direct connection to Jakarta and Vistara‘s efforts in establishing direct links from Delhi, we are now in a better position to encourage travel to Bali. The availability of these direct flights presents an opportunity to significantly enhance tourist inflow between our nations, as evidenced by last year’s influx of over 400,000 Indian visitors to Bali, a figure we anticipate will grow,” the ambassador said.
In terms of overall tourist numbers, Indonesia welcomed a staggering 11.67 million visitors in 2023, almost double the number in 2022. Bali alone received 5.23 million visitors, accounting for nearly half of Indonesia’s total tourism arrivals.
The ambassador further urged the Indian stakeholders to seize the opportunity presented by improved connectivity. She highlighted that despite the Indian populace expressing keen interest in Bali, their actual visitation numbers remain relatively low, primarily due to the absence of direct flights.
“While traffic from India may exhibit seasonal trends or focus on wedding-related travel, we must strategise on maintaining consistent demand and exploring new avenues for engagement,” she said.
Vistara Bombay-Bali to be a reality soon
Payal Mehta, Regional Manager Sales -North India at Vistara – TATA SIA Airlines Ltd. informed that the airline is also exploring options for flights from Bombay. “Vistara currently operates daily direct flights from Delhi, which is performing satisfactorily. Nevertheless, with the continued support and contributions from everyone involved, our flight operations are progressing well. Our next step involves introducing Boeing LR series aircraft to Bali, offering approximately 300 seats per departure. Plans for flights from Bombay are indeed on cards, pending bilateral approvals and support. Rest assured, we are actively working towards these goals and anticipate positive outcomes in the near future,” she told ETTravelWorld. “If all goes according to plan for strengthening our Delhi departures, we may introduce wide-body aircraft from Delhi in the future. Merger is on the cards with Air India and we are still assessing on how it opens or works out,” she added.
Mumbai remains a consistent frontrunner as the primary source city for South African Tourism in India. Reflecting this trend, inbound tourism from Mumbai saw a substantial 37 per cent year-on-year growth in 2023, contributing to the overall surge in leisure and business travel. Overall, for India, there has been a 43 per cent increase from previous year. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India, and South East Asia, South African Tourism shares more.
$10 tourist fee an investment in environmental conservation, not a deterrent
To conserve the cultural richness of Bali and to avoid the repercussions of overtourism, the Indonesian government had recently introduced a USD 10 levy on foreign tourists upon their arrival. This measure exempts domestic travellers, diplomatic visa holders, and citizens of ASEAN countries from the tourism levy.
“We all admire Bali, which is a sought-after destination for Indians. Indonesia, as a nation, is known for its warm hospitality and excellent services. However, tourism also brings about certain challenges, such as environmental damage and waste generation. Therefore, it’s crucial to address these issues by focusing on waste reduction at the source. Given that 80 per cent of Bali’s economy relies on tourism, it’s paramount to safeguard it,” said Sanjay Sondhi, Country Manager, Visit Indonesia Tourism Office India.
Acknowledging that the recent implementation of a tourist fee is a must to preserve the local culture and protect the environment, Sondhi said that it’s essential for the local community to feel involved and not suffer from the negative impacts of tourism.
“Bali boasts ancient irrigation systems, UNESCO heritage sites and picturesque paddy fields, offering unique experiences beyond urban areas. It also stands out for its cultural diversity, with over 20,000 temples and a rich Hindu heritage. Tourism specialists in India can tailor itineraries to showcase these authentic experiences and promote a harmonious coexistence with nature,” he suggested.
“The USD 10 fee should be viewed as an investment in environmental conservation rather than a deterrent, following the example set by other nations like Bhutan, where a USD 100 fee is imposed per person. As stakeholders from India, we should support these efforts to ensure sustainable tourism practices and protect Bali’s natural assets,” Sondhi expressed.
75 years of bilateral relations to foster tourism
Notably, Indonesia is also completing its 75 years of bilateral relations with India. Symbolising the enduring bond between the two nations, the ambassador referenced the shared values and historical ties represented by the special logo, adorned with colours reminiscent of both the Indian and Indonesian flags.
She said that a series of celebrations, showcasing Indonesia’s commitment to deepening cultural and economic exchanges with India have been planned this year. This includes cultural and dance performances, festivals, and sales missions across major Indian cities.
Echoing the sentiments through a popular quote- Bali is more than a place. It’s a mood; it’s magical. It’s a tropical state of mind, the ambassador remarked, “As a representative of the government, I am encouraged by the growing closeness between Indonesia and India, which is reflected not only in our symbolic gestures in the logo but also in tangible collaborations post-COVID-19,” she concluded.
[ad_2]
Source link
Addressing the nation in the union interim budget announcement today, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised that states taking up the comprehensive development of tourist centers will be incentivised, thereby boosting domestic tourist figures.
“States will be encouraged to undertake the holistic development of iconic tourist centres, with a focus on branding and marketing them at a global scale. A framework for rating these centres based on the quality of facilities and services will be established to ensure excellence in visitor experiences,” she said.
Sitharaman shared that long-term interest-rate loans will be provided to states for financing these development projects on matching basis. This, she added, is to address the emerging fervour for domestic tourism.
Additionally, projects aimed at enhancing port connectivity, tourism infrastructure, and amenities in Indian islands, including Lakshadweep, are on the agenda. These initiatives, expressed by Sitharaman, are anticipated to not only spur employment opportunities but also attract investments, thereby fostering economic growth in these regions. Notably, the recent visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Lakshadweep has paved the way for enhanced development initiatives in the region, signalling a renewed focus on island tourism and infrastructure enhancement.
Further highlighting the burgeoning aspirations of the middle class to explore and travel, the Finance Minister underscored the vast opportunities for local entrepreneurship within the tourism sector, including spiritual tourism. The notable boost for spiritual tourism was following the recent inauguration of Ayodhya‘s new Ram Temple, where about 5 lakh visitors visited the city just on the congregation day.
She also reflected on how hosting the high-profile G20 meetings across 60 locations in India showcased the country’s diversity to the world. “Our economic strength has made the country an attractive destination for business and conference tourism,” the minister acknowledged.
Among the sectors with high expectations is the Indian travel and tourism industry, which is advocating strongly for industry and infrastructure status, policy reforms, and taxation benefits to support infrastructure development. In light of this, industry leaders have shared their wishlist for the budget with ETTravelWorld, highlighting key areas for transformation and growth.
Speaking about the aviation sector, Sitharaman highlighted the remarkable strides made over the past decade. “The aviation sector has been galvanised in the past 10 years. The number of airports has doubled to 149, with 517 new routes added and a staggering 1.3 crore passengers served. The ambitious UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, aimed at enhancing air connectivity to tier two and tier three cities, has witnessed widespread implementation, further democratising air travel access across the country,” she added.Indian carriers, she said, have also demonstrated proactive intent by placing orders for over 1000 new aircraft, indicative of the sector’s robust growth trajectory.
“Efforts to expand existing airports and develop new ones will continue expeditiously,” she said, ensuring that the aviation infrastructure keeps pace with the burgeoning demands of the industry, while also attracting credible investors.
Highlighting India’s attractiveness to foreign investors, Sitharaman noted that FDI inflow during the period from 2014 to 2023 amounted to 596 billion USD, marking a golden era of sustained foreign investment. This figure represents a significant leap compared to the inflow witnessed from 2005 to 2014, underlining the confidence of global investors in India’s economic prospects and policy environment, she stated.
[ad_2]
Source link
In Lakshadweep, comprising a total of 36 islands, including ten inhabited ones, the administration has recently proposed additional tourism projects.
Government-led tourism activities, managed by SPORTS (Society for Promotion of Nature Tourism and Sports), include the iconic Paradise Island huts. A new proposal under the Smart City initiative aims to introduce a 90-room hotel.
In the private sector, India’s first water villa project, initiated by an Indian group, stands out as a major endeavor. The archipelago gained attention for its natural beauty, particularly after Prime Minister Modi’s recent visit.
On January 2, PM Modi visited the Union Territory of Lakshadweep and shared several pictures, including an ‘exhilarating experience’ of him trying his hand at snorkelling.
Several Indian celebrities have strongly criticized derogatory remarks by Maldivian leaders against India and expressed support for promoting Indian beach tourism . This comes amid the row over derogatory and ‘anti-India’ remarks made by Maldives minister, leaders and other public figures after Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the union territory of Lakshadweep.
In a series of posts on X, PM Modi shared pictures of the white beaches, the pristine blue skies and the ocean and tagged them with a message that read, “For those who wish to embrace the adventurer in them, Lakshadweep has to be on your list.”Former Member of Parliament from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Bishnu Pada Ray, condemned the unjust criticism from Maldivian ministers.
“Recently, Prime Minister Modi visited Lakshadweep, an island located far from the Maldives. During Congress’s era, despite being represented by the Prime Minister and Speaker, the region saw limited development. PM Modi’s visit to Lakshadweep highlighted the potential for tourism development. What the ministers of our neighbouring country, the Maldives, said about PM Modi is not correct. This led to the suspension of three Maldivian ministers by the President. By uttering these words, plenty of damage has been done to your country’s tourism. Consequently, negative opinions about Modi are impacting tourism. People are cancelling their tickets. Today, people across India, including film stars, cricket players, and other patriotic individuals, are not expressing positive opinions about you in the media. I also oppose these actions. In the future, with Modi’s efforts, Lakshadweep is going to become a tourist destination surpassing even the Maldives” he said.
This surge in tourism development signals an exciting phase for Lakshadweep’s travel landscape.
[ad_2]
Source link