There are indications that the Indian travel industry would be doing a turn around in 2010 after a somewhat bleak season in 2009. This is also in line with the changing global scenario, which is slowly recuperating from the worldwide economic slump. In 2009, global travel markets dipped by as much as about 15% and India could not escape completely unscathed from the scenario. However, as of now, there are many positive projections. In fact, there have been estimates that the travel industry would grow by 5-6%, which is a shade higher than the predicted global average growth of 4.5%. Earnest government efforts are also highly likely to boost the travel industry. A case in point is the successful completion of Terminal 3 in the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
This terminal is now said to be the sixth largest in the world with a capacity to handle 37 million passengers every year. Billions of pounds went into its construction. The terminal spans more than four square kilometres and has 78 aerobridges, 97 automated walkways, and 168 check-in counters. It would not be unreasonable to assume that many airlines would increase the density of flights to India as the country is now better equipped to handle more visitors. With the opening of this terminal, India can now also play host to the Airbus A 380, the biggest passenger carrier in the world. Besides the completion of the new terminal, 2010 will also see Delhi hosting the Commonwealth Games.
It is anticipated that over 3.5 million tourists would be converging upon India to witness this sporting extravaganza. This automatically implies that the travel industry would be doing brisk business. Here again, the government has left no stone unturned to gear up for this event. In fact, the entire city of Delhi is being given a major face lift. Some industry observers have even gone on to say that India in general and Delhi in particular might become one of the top travel destinations in the world. This assumption is based on the surge in Sydney’s popularity after the Commonwealth Games were hosted there. Overall, the year 2010 seems to be the harbinger of better times for the India travel industry.
Everybody is eager for a share of the pie. Travel companies are falling over each other to offer the best possible deals to lure tourists. This in itself is prompting more and more bookings. Be it hotels, car hires, or airlines, 2010 would be one of those years when one may expect unbelievable travel deals. Even domestic carriers like Go Air are offering irresistibly lucrative fares on online ticket booking. All said and done, the fact of the matter is that the travel industry is viewing 2010 with keen anticipation.