INDIA tourism is already on the rebound following last week’s bomb blasts in Mumbai, the Maharashtra state capital.
The Leela Kempinski, Mumbai general manager, Biswajit Chakraborty, told TTG Asia e-daily that bookings were returning following last week’s incident, and that “cancellations at other Leela hotels across India were negligible”.
The hotel had cancellations for 250 roomnights in the immediate aftermath of the blasts, amounting to an estimated US$785,200 (3.5 million rupees) in losses, including from F&B.
Indian Association of Tour Operators president and India Vision Tours & Travels president, Vijay Thakur, confirmed that no tourists were affected by the terrorist act. “The incident had hardly any effect on inbound travel. Our interaction with countrywide members revealed that there were no cancellations at all,” he said.
Thakur explained: “Travellers have now become tough and understand this kind of syndrome happening worldwide.”
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra state government is taking steps to improve security in Mumbai. Maharashtra chief minister, Prithviraj Chavan, said that improving communication systems and expediting the purchase of surveillance equipment would be his top priority.
By Anand & Madhura Katti
