As Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah visits India, there is a growing expectation that talks will go beyond religion, trade and employment and touch upon other aspects of bilateral interest including tourism.
While India's 150 million Muslims look toward the Kingdom as Islam's home to the two holy cities of Makkah and Madinah, Indians expect Saudis to look more toward their country for travel and tourism aside from business and education.
The Kingdom's nearly 1.6 million Indian expatriates have been influencing Saudis and their families to vacation in India, which is endowed with a rich tourist and cultural heritage. Indian Muslims have also been visiting the Kingdom for the annual Haj and year-round Umrah, and their number continues to increase.
Visitors from India have evinced interest in touring some of the Kingdom's places like Madain Saleh, Taif and Abha, in addition to places of attraction in and around the three major cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam.
India has been attracting Saudi tourists, businessmen and students but their numbers have been below the expectations. With the country emerging as the world's major economic power and knowledge destination, the country also expects to improve its tourist figures from the world over, including the Kingdom.
While India's "golden triangle" comprising Delhi (capital), Agra (Taj Mahal) and Jaipur (Pink City in Rajasthan) have been a major draw among Saudi vacationers, they have also shown their interest in visiting other tourist places in and around Bombay (commercial capital), Hyderabad that still has traces of the legacy left behind by the great Nizam, and the southern Kerala state which abounds in greenery and natural health care treatment.
In fact, India, a nation with 5,000 years of civilization, is a destination for all seasons blessed with natural beauty and variant climate. Whether for a beach holiday, a historical tour, an adventure trek, skiing, relaxation, spa, or Ayurveda - an ancient natural medical treatment, the country boasts them all.
India has been aptly described as a bouquet of flowers of different colors and fragrance. It is a nation with diversity. It is a country of contrasts where since time immemorial different races of people have settled. They came as conquerors only to be conquered by the captivating and mystic charm of the land. Different rulers over centuries enriched the country with their own tradition, culture and architectural grandeur, and monuments, which still stand today as a testimony of their period.
Its pristine beaches on the east and west coasts, the snow-capped mountains of the Himalayan ranges, and cooler places like Shimla and Ooty are ideal resorts for holidaymakers during the summer months.
India now ranks as the fourth most favorite destination in the world. The country's tourism is growing at the rate of eight percent and has been declared the fastest growing in the region. Foreign tourist arrivals in the country touched a new record with a figure of 3.91 million visitors during 2005. This marks a 13.2 percent growth over 2004. For 2006, Federal Tourism Minister Renuka Chowdhury has set the arrival target at 4.4 million for 2006.
A plan for large-scale tourism infrastructure development with private participation has been launched under which the government will provide three-fourth of the equity, which can be up to $11.1 million. The ministry has also proposed long-term visa, up to 10-15 years for selected countries, having potential tourism markets for India to facilitate tourist arrival.
Recognizing the important role tourism can play as a catalyst for development in rural areas, a rural tourism project was recently launched. The objective is to showcase art, craft and heritage, and also to ensure that benefits of tourism reach rural areas. Sixty-three rural sites across the country have been identified and are being further developed.
Various state governments are also making efforts to promote tourism. Madhya Pradesh, the country's largest state, is focusing on promoting adventure tourism. It has introduced cruise boating on the Upper Lake in its capital city Bhopal and river rafting on the Betwa River.
Goa with its sun, sand, and sylvan surroundings is one of the world's Top 10 "must see" palaces for 2006 in a list compiled by Frommer's Guide, a major travel publisher.
Kerala, one of National Geographic Magazine's 50 "must see" destinations, is already a big draw among Saudis and other Arabs, especially for health tourism. Its capital city of Trivandrum is dotted with beach resorts, backwaters, and neighboring hill stations and world heritage sites, as well as high-class multi-specialty hospitals and medical institutions. Of late, Saudis have realized Kerala's importance as being home to its natural health care treatments.
In fact, destinations like Kerala and Goa are scoring over traditional hotspots like Rajasthan and Agra. Newer states such as Chhattisgarh and Uttaranchal have also started getting increasing number of tourists.
Bombay's Bollywood, India's main film producing center dotted with dozens of studios, is yet again a big attraction for Saudis like other overseas visitors. Bollywood produces 800 feature films a year, far exceeding the output of Hollywood. Since 1931, when talkies were introduced in India, the industry has produced more than 67,000 films in more than 30 languages and dialects. Hindi language films take the largest box-office share.
Aside from being a shoppers' paradise, India is an ancient land of history and hospitality. Be it summer or winter, its destinations are countless. The country is on the threshold of becoming one of the hottest destinations for Saudi and other overseas tourists.
(K.S. Ramkumar is a senior reporter at Arab News.)
