There’s a lot to
celebrate in the tourism industry where policy and destiny are going to
engineer a bumper season in the inbound tourist traffic into India. There was
much cheering when new visa reforms were predicted to grow tourist inflow by
7.5% earlier this year. Now, after the rupee’s fall to an all time low against
the US Dollar, a rise in tourist influx by 15-20% is expected. Well into the usual peak season of October for
international tourists, the timing of a falling rupee couldn’t have been
better.
For an
international tourist coming into Mumbai, one of the most expensive cities of
India, the current dollar rate in Mumbai
against a weak rupee would make his/her money go a long way into extending his
stay in the country. With this surprise incentive of getting more out of each dollar spent ,
India will be a clear choice over other countries in South East Asia for a lot
of international travellers, as they pale against the sheer cultural,
geographical and historical diversity
which India has.
An approximate
4.3% drop in the rupee since China announced it’s devaluation is expected to
lead to double digit growth in incoming tourist traffic claim leading travel
agencies and online travel portals. With these best US Dollar rates in Mumbai, long stay travellers, typically from the Western Europe, UK and the US,
will find India a much more attractive destination. The current dollar rate in Mumbai would translate into cheaper
accommodations, food and discounted charter flights for the numerous East
Europeans who fly into Goa by the thousands every year. The best US dollar rates in Mumbai coming
up this season on online searches for most tourists will indicate a clear saving
of minimum 10% from initial estimates for India. In fact, the weak rupee is also expected to
divert domestic travellers from outbound destinations becoming more expensive
now, into the hotspots of India.
The timing seems
to be perfect for international tourists to pack their bags and head to India
to enjoy hospitality at its best and also get good value for their money.