ind 3-4 jun19 16/6/09 17:21 Page 52
knowledge india & indian ocean
ttglive.com
Islands’ prospects
es
a Maldiv
Div
Calm on the horizon?
As Britons tighten their purse strings and stay closer to home, you might expect the Indian
Ocean to have nose-dived this year. April Hutchinson looks at the region’s ups and downs,
and asks how recent instances of political unrest have affected UK arrivals
T
he year may have got off to a slow TransIndus managing director Amrit Singh MAURITIUS.
start for the Indian Ocean, but adds: “The political unrest has had some seri- STATS: Total arrivals grew by 7% in both
specialists to the region are ous effects on the region with bookings from 2006 and 2007, and UK visitor numbers were
sounding optimistic notes for the the UK down as much as 25% for some parts. up by almost 1% in 2008. This year has seen
rest of the year, albeit based on last-minute The good news is that both in India and Sri a slight decrease.
bookings and heavily negotiated rates. Lanka, the situation has been resolved and
According to Sunset Faraway Holidays, the region is stable once again. We now offer TOURIST BOARD: The Mauritian government
bookings for Indian Ocean destinations have some of the lowest prices for years.” has earmarked €4.3 million in its
risen more than 16% in 2009 and, with Sri Madagascar also made its way on 2009 budget to enable the Mauri-
Lanka once again open for business, the to the Foreign Office’s “don’t go” tius Tourism Promotion Authority
region is set for a good summer. list too, just as the hit cartoon to step up its promotional cam-
But hotels in India have been slow to react Madagascar 2 hit the cinemas earlier paign. In the UK, MTPA’s travel
to the global economic slump, with offers this year. But as Acacia Adventure training programme through
to tempt business relatively few and far Holidays points out, a new visa
onlinetraveltraining.co.uk now has
between, according to David Carlaw, Premier waiver scheme will make it easier for 1,500 agents and there are plans
Holidays’ head of Faraway product. wildlife lovers to get back on track. to enhance the site. A Mauritius
“India is catching up after a slow start, but Tourists staying less than 30 days and Showcase Roadshow visited key
A
unlike for other parts of Asia, we’re not seeing travelling before the end of the year MTP cities around the UK and will now
a huge amount of hotel offers out there.” will not have to pay for the £45 visa. Mauritius is at TTG’s roadshows extend to Dublin at the end of
52 19.06.2009
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