Indian travel operators are combining forces with tourism ministry to heighten greater awareness of its vast offerings in the South-East Asian markets with an eye to promoting lesser-known exhibits and sights in the country.

A majority of travel agents in the region in question currently sell tours focusing on the Golden Triangle, the spectacular Himalayas, Rajasthan, stunning Ladakh and Kerala. But, according to a tour operator, more and more agents are growing interested in other places to visit in India round the year.
He shared: “With the new e-visa and fee reduction (for immigration), more and more people are now interested in coming to India. In September, we brought a group of 12 from Singapore to Ladakh, and now they’ve booked another tour next year for 22. They liked it so much that they’re bringing their friends and relatives.”

As interest in India rises, local operators are taking the opportunity to push more diversified products. For instance, Swagatam Tours is hawking authentic activities such as village visits and dining with a local family, and religious tourism specialist Lotus Trans Travel is spreading the word about luxury sleeper trains that traverse India.

To extend their outreach to South-east Asian agencies, these tour operators participated in an Incredible India trade roadshow that is currently making its rounds in Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok this month.

“South-east Asia is an important market for us because of its growing tourism (volume) and affluence in the past couple of decades. We want many more of (South-east Asian travellers) to travel to India,” shared Rupinder Brar, additional director general, MOT, Government of India.