The diversity of the Indian subcontinent is striking a chord with Australian travellers, according to Asia specialist Travel Indochina as it reported a significant rise in its numbers of travellers.
The operator reported growth in sales of small group journeys to India of 30% and in FIT product of more than 40% on the back of growing Australian interest in travel to the destination, according to marketing manager Bronwyn Cook.
“Indian Tourism data does show a continuing increase in Australian visitor numbers,” she said. “In terms of Travel Indochina more specifically, our travellers continue to look for more Asia options and are just discovering the diversity of India after travelling with us to South East Asia.”
Return travellers are also accounting for a substantial amount of sales with travellers realising one visit is “not enough” to take in the full breadth of experience the destination has to offer.
The rise has prompted it to add several new itineraries including a houseboat stay in Srinagar in Kashmir, the city of Hyderabad in central India and the vast ruins of ancient city Hampi.
“Also of note, we have created a double page of Golden Triangle itineraries which offer travellers easy options to add a romantic fort stay or a safari to their itinerary,” Cook said..
“Too many first-time India travellers do the popular Golden Triangle Delhi-Agra-Jaipur route without realising that a few extra days can add another dimension to their India experience.”
Meanwhile, the recent political stability in Sri Lanka combined with pent-up demand for travel to the destination has seen even larger growth in sales of Sri Lanka product, although off a much lower base. Sales of small group journeys increased “five-fold” as FIT sales doubled.
As a result, new itineraries have also been added there, such as the ocean beaches of the east coast.
Maldives product has been expanded with the addition of COMO’s Cocoa Island property and its soon-to-open sister property Maalifushi.
