"We are very keen on getting Chinese tourists to visit India," G Venkataraman, regional director (East Asia) of India Tourism, said at the 'Beijing International Tourism Expo 2006'.
At the exhibition, Indian tourism operators hope to introduce the country's unique culture to Chinese tour operators and potential clients, he said. For the first time, the tourism departments of Goa and Karnataka are taking part in the expo and are receiving a good response, Venkataraman said.
He noted that during January-March this year, the growth in number of Chinese tourists arrivals in India was 120 per cent over the corresponding period last year.
Goa Tourism deputy director Pamela Mascarenhas said the state was venturing into China for the first time, considering the huge potential in tourism cooperation.
"Since Goa could be a possible destination for Chinese tour groups, we decided to take part in the exhibition and educate Chinese tour agents about Goa, already a well-known tour destination in other parts of the world," she said.
According to Karnataka tourism director G Kumar Naik, the state pavilion has been flooded with business visitors, who wanted to know more about "products" other than information technology, which the state could offer.
Along with some prominent tour operators, the Karnataka government delegation, including Secretary for Kannada and Culture, Information and Tourism, I M Vittal Murthy, is confident the state could woo more Chinese tourists to enjoy the scenic and historical splendour of Karnataka.
Cicada Resorts marketing manager, Priya Jacob said that going by the initial market assessment, there should be high tourist traffic between the two countries.
However, more marketing efforts are needed to promote Indian tourism products in China, she said. India Tourism Regional Director Venkataraman said that it
was cooperating with China Central Television and a prominent Chinese travel agency to organise an event in November commemorating Chinese traveller Xuan Zhang's voyage to India.
The event would also coincide with India's promotion of the Buddhist pilgrimage with the catchy slogan, 'Come to India, walk with the Buddha.'
Venkataraman said he had been assured by Chinese authorities more Chinese airlines would operate direct flights to New Delhi and Bangalore this year.
The introduction of more direct flights between India and China would be a boon to tourists and the travel industry, especially as the two nations are celebrating 2006 as 'India-China Friendship Year'.
