The discovery of India by its citizens seems to be gaining momentrum.From Jammu and Kashmir to Assam and from Orissa to Karnataka; almost all States are reporting an increase in Indian tourist arrivals.
The increase in domestic tourist footfall comes even as foreign tourist arrivals during 2009 fell 3.3 per cent to 5.11 million.
If it was the early snowfall in October-November last year that helped J&K almost double its monthly domestic tourist arrivals to 59.000 in December, then Assam has much to thank the Centre for amending its rules and allowing leave travel concession to its employees that saw the State welcome tourists in large numbers from Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Punjab last year J&K is tying up with Spice Jet to offer discounted airfares to passengers who book their tickets to the State in advance .Going by domestic tourist trends, the State is hoping to have arrivals equal to if not more than the 1988 record of 800,000,said Mr. Shamin Ahmed, J&K Tourism Development Corporation.
And more people are also trying to discover their own States.” Domestic tourists keep us going. We are also seeing an increasing trend of people from the State traveling within the State.
Bangalore is a major hub for such people. Besides we also get tourists from Kerala and Tamil Nadu,” said Mr. Vinay Luthra, managing Director, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation.
The State recently started seasonal charter flights to Hubli from Bangalore , Hyderabad and Chennai for the Hampi festival.Orissa is now looking at Buddhist tourism in a big way to attract not only more domestic but also international tourists, said the Director-Tourism,Mr T.Ao.
In 2008, tourist visits was provisionally recorded at 565 million against 527 million in 2007.
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