India's Festival
of Lights Every year in October,
Northern India comes alive as the traditional
Festival of Lights illuminates the nation. Indians
of all ages and background enjoy this national
celebration, known locally as Deepavali. The day
marks the homecoming of Rama and Sita, star-crossed
lovers whose story is told in the legendary Hindu
epic, the Ramayana. The children are especially
excited about Deepavali as they exchange sweets and
make merry in a frenzy of outrageous fire crackers
and twirling sparklers while decorating their homes
with more subdued candles and lamps. It is a most magical time
to visit India. Intrepid Travel operate a
great variety of trips to India in October 2003 and
those lucky travelers who join us will experience a
fantastical festival they will never forget.
Consider exploring India's northern valleys on the
15 day Mountains and Mystics trip, or experiencing
camel safaris and ancient desert palaces on the 22
day Rajasthan Adventure. Alternatively, you may
enjoy cruising Slowly Down the Ganges for two weeks
or exploring India in style on the 10 day Premium
India adventure. Whatever style of travel or part
of India appeals to you, Intrepid Travel has
something to offer. For more details on these
and many more India adventures to choose from,
visit http://www.intrepidtravel.com/H Jen Bird International Marketing
Manager jenb@intrepidtravel.com Tel: +61 3 9473
2616 Fax: +61 3 9473
4426 PATA
RELEASES BENCHMARK INDIA OUTBOUND
REPORT The Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) announces the release of the
PATA India Outbound Market Report. The study,
written by Travel Research International for PATA,
assesses outbound tourism consumption trends in an
economy which has been growing in excess of five
percent a year for more than a decade. The report gives in-depth
coverage of destination growth rates, emerging
holiday preferences, length of stay differences,
new expenditure patterns and even outbound
opportunities arising from India's thriving IT
sector. It also offers a detailed assessment of air
services, mass media and the considerable impact of
"Bollywood." The 92-page report analyses
the role of travel agents and tour operators and
the social kudos which the Indian middle class
gains from fashionable trips such as cruising in
Alaska, visiting new countries in eastern Europe,
or taking adventure holidays in New
Zealand Indian government figures
show that around four million Indians travelled
abroad in 1999. Of these, an estimated 35 percent
had leisure as their primary travel motivation. The
report states that the socio-political conditions
in the country seems ripe for further economic
growth. "India has become a more open and
international economy and society, through a
combination of liberalisation, greater exposure to
international, social and cultural influences, and
an increasing interest on the part of multinational
companies in investing in India. These elements,
together with a progressive removal of restraints
on the availability of foreign exchange, have
fuelled demand for international travel, especially
in the leisure sector." However, the report also
warns that selling to the Indian middle class is
"complex and requires closely targeted and
selective efforts among Indiaís travel
trade, its key regions and urban areas, particular
economic segments, social classes and occupations."
For example, average per capita incomes in states
such as Delhi, Goa and Punjab are five to six times
those of Bihar, Tripura or Orissa. PATA Managing
Director-Strategic Information Centre, Mr. John
Koldowski, said: "Due to dramatic economic, social
and geographic disparities, you cannot treat India
as a single market. Everyone wishing to understand
India or participate in its outbound tourism boom
needs to dig deep beyond the surface
statistics." The PATA India Outbound
Report costs US$175 for members and US$350 for
non-members. To order a copy contact Ms. Khanitha
"Pook" Jarukirati at pook@pata.th.com. Fax: (66-2)
658-2010. Or order online at
www.pata.org
