Indian tourist arrivals in the Sultanate of Oman breached the half-million-mark last year, reaching 610,057 visitors—it is the highest recorded figure to this day. Oman’s hospitality has been a significant draw for Indian travellers, complemented by various factors fuelling its increasing popularity in India, including accessibility from all corners of the country, streamlined visa procedures, and availability of similar cultural influence. Highlighting the good relations shared by Oman and India, the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman, stated, “We are excited to witness the overwhelming response from the Indian travellers, thanks to Oman’s plethora of attractions, including its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality,” said Saada Abdullah Saif Al Harthi, Director, Business Development Department, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism, Sultanate of Oman. “This milestone reflects the collaboration between Oman and our Indian partners. We wish to strengthen the relations between Oman and India, boost Oman brand visibility and drive increase interest among premium luxury Indian travelers in the years to come.” Oman boasts a diverse array of jaw-dropping tourism attractions contributing to its appeal among Indian travellers. From forts to ancient ruins to the stunning natural landscapes encompassing deserts, mountains, and pristine beaches, Oman offers a captivating tapestry of experiences. They are the main reasons for the unprecedented surge of Indian tourist arrivals to Oman. Adventurous activities such as desert safaris, scuba diving, and trekking in the picturesque mountain ranges of Oman provide an opportunity for exploration and discovery. The colourful festivals and events held throughout the year offer detailed insights into the Sultanate’s vibrant traditions and heritage thereby enticing the Indian travellers to delve deeper into its wonders. The Sultanate’s appeal to Indian travellers lies …

The formal collaboration between the Cambodia Oknha Association (COA) and the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) has formally given way to the establishment of the India-Cambodia Joint Business Council (ICJBC). Cambodia’s tourism ministry revealed that Cambodia welcomed 68,836 Indian guests last year, a jump of 102%.

HRAWI recommends reform in GST framework for restaurants within hotel premises. “The sudden jump in GST from 5 per cent to 18 per cent when room rates exceed ₹7500/-, creates uncertainty for guests and places hotels at a disadvantage. We have submitted a representation to the Government,” said Pradeep Shetty, President, HRAWI.

Malaysia moves ahead to become the 4th largest source market for inbound travel in India as per the PATA report. It will climb to the 4th spot in 2024 from 7th rank in 2019, beating Australia. In mild scenario, International Visitor Arrivals (IVAs) from Malaysia to India is expected to go up by 176.7% in 2024.  

Thailand is pushing for a long-term reciprocal visa-free scheme for Indians as the country is all set to become world’s third-largest economy by 2027. The current temporary visa exemptions for Indians have boosted the business for both countries. By 18 February 2024, almost 258,269 tourists travelled to Thailand.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said, “The boom in outbound travel from India is driven by the growing middle class. In 2020, only 37 million households had annual income between $10,000-$35,000, but owing to rapid economic growth, by 2030 it will rise to 177 million households.”

Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy of the Republic of Indonesia, said, “Last year, India ranked 2 in terms of tourist arrivals in Bali. This year, our global target exceeds 14 million tourists, with an aim to attract 700,000 from India alone, owing to increased direct flights.”

Homa Mistry, CEO, Trail Blazer Tours India said, “New routes are launched because new airlines and airports are coming in but they do not stay there for long. It becomes a real demand and supply issue and promoting a destination becomes a problem. Thus, continuity and commitment are important for inbound.”

70 per cent of Indians travelling overseas choose nearby destinations, with one-third choosing destinations in the Middle East, as per booking.com and McKinsey report. The UAE is the top choice in the Middle East for outbound visits, followed by Saudi Arabia. Around 1.9 million Indians visited Dubai in first 10 months of 2023.

To accelerate wedding tourism in Rajasthan, the state tourism department has announced to provide the luxury train, Palace on Wheels, for destination weddings. It will be available for pre and post-wedding shoots. This will increase revenue for the train and will create new opportunities in the tourism sector.