CHANDIGARH: The British government is expecting a 10 pc increase of Indian travelers to the country in 2010-11. A weaker pound, increase in

business travel and more overseas students are attributed as the reason for the increase.

According to the British tourist authority, Visit Britain, country head, Paramjit Bawa the growth of visitors was inevitable. “The pound has weakened by 10-12 % vis a vis the Indian currency even as there is no tariff change in hotels and other institutions in Britain. Also, we expect student visas to increase this year,” he said.

With the UK immigration announcing a ban on applications from students in North India Mr Bawa said that it was temporary closure and he expected things to be relaxed eventually. “The peak period when students apply is between June and July and we should hope that genuine students are no affected,” he stated. According to him from 10,000 student visas given to Indian students in 2005 the number has increased to more than 28,000 in 2008 and was bound to increase further.

As per him the number of Indian visitors traveling to Britain was at 3.80 lakh in 2009, which was an increase of about 4% over the previous year. From 2000-2006 there had been an increase of more than 25-25% in Indian tourist, which was hit by the global recession and stringent visa rules. The visitors included leisure tourist, business, students and visiting friends and family tourist. “Our long term goal is to achieve one million visitors from India per year within the next 8-10 years,” he said.

Chandigarh based Ekido Travels, managing director, Kapil Malhotra informed that with more than 150 flights in a week from New Delhi International airport air fare had reduced by 15% varying from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000 making its accessible for even the middle class.

The primary source market of Indian travelers to Britain is from West India (Maharashtra and Ahemdabad) followed by north India (New Delhi and Punjab). The government apart from focusing London is popularizing destinations like Liverpool, Yorkshire, wale and Manchester this April season. “With the Queen's Baton handing over ceremony in the Delhi commonwealth games to Scotland which will be hosting the 2014 commonwealth games we will be showcasing the country’s rich cultural side and promoting it for tourism,”added Mr Bawa.