Monsoon - the word itself conjures magic, casting a spell over one’s senses. As the rains lashed most parts of India, CII set the stage for States from different corners of India to promote a unique tourism package called ‘Monsoon Tourism’. Assam, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Puducherry – states blessed with the monsoon showers, industry players and tour operators came together at the ‘Seminar on Monsoon Tourism’ organized by the Confederation on Indian Industry (CII) on 12 August, 2015 at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
Overall the monsoon season in India has been considered a wet blanket for the tourism industry with hotel and resort occupancies falling by nearly 50 per cent and a sharp reduction in revenues for travel and tour operators. The Seminar was held to dispel the myth that the rainy season - which starts with the onset of the southwest monsoon in June and continues till the middle of September – is a lean season in India. It was a focused seminar in which players in the industry brought in monsoon packages offering discounts and incentives to tap the drop in tourist inflows.
Speaking at the inaugural, P Rajavelu, Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, Government of Puducherry, said: “I am honoured to participate in the wonderful platform organized by the CII focusing on Monsoon Tourism to be explored by the stakeholders of the country. Monsoon is the time when most of the tourist population gets out and is the best time to get in. In Puducherry, monsoon starts from November and ends mid-December which is a pre-peak season of high-end international travelers.”
The Minister highlighted a few places such monsoon attractions – the Boat Race in Kerala, Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, Adventure Sports in Rishikesh, the Satpura Monsoon Festival and the Mud Rush Festival in Gujarat.
Addressing the inaugural, Mr Arjun Sharma, Chairman, Le Passage to India, said: “When it comes to monsoon tourism, Goa and Kerala are the ground breakers which paved the path for several other states. The myth about India being not so popular during the monsoon season is fast changing. But what we need to make this a flourishing tourist season is to improve infrastructure – roads, airline services and hotels. Monsoon is the time when MICE tourism, conferences and events can be held.”
Mr Subhash Goyal, President IATO & Chairman, STIC Travels Pvt Ltd, cited the example of the vibrant state of Punjab with its colourful green vistas during rains and the culture and folk songs of the season which can be marketed. “The monsoon season is the best season to tap honeymooning couples. Every state with monsoon related fairs and festivals should be marketed as prime destinations during this season.”
Mr Chandrashekhar S Jaiswal, Deputy General Manager, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, highlighted how the state has come out as a winner in terms of promoting Monsoon packages – from its five heritage sites to forts 1000 caves, 300 forts, five jyotirlingas, numerous beaches, hill stations, waterfalls and wildlife sanctuaries. “The state has huge opportunity and we welcome investors willing to tap them.”
The intoxicating smell of dry earth drenched with the first showers make monsoon a favourite season in India. But the season is also plagued with landslides, floods and waterlogged road. “What we need is participation from the government and private players in the tourism sector to enhance the tourism circuits. Infrastructure development is a must for promotion of monsoon tourism in the country.”
Speaking on sustainability and development of monsoon tourism, Mr PP Khanna, Director, Diplomatic Travel Point Private Limited & Mentor, Advaita Events, said that political, infrastructure (including roads, electricity, accessibility and connectivity) and social development were the foundation on which sustainability rests. These factors ensure a high level of satisfaction amongst tourists.
Ms Deepa Laskar, Deputy Director of Tourism, Assam Tourism highlighted how the Northeastern state is now highlighting the state’s tea gardens, heritage tea bungalows along with golf resorts and wildlife sanctuaries as hotspots for Monsoon months.
Mr Sanjay Basu, Senior Vice President, Adventure Tour Operators Association of India pointed out the fact the ‘lean period’ or ‘off season tag’ disheartens tourists from visiting during the monsoon months. “India is blessed with two iconic natural assets – the Monsoon and Himalayas. We should capitalize on our natural beauty – the hills, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, gurgling rivers, lush green rainforests. $7 % of world tourism is in nature tourism, why can’t we tap that?”
Most gathered urged for the opening up of national parks and buffer zones of wildlife sanctuaries during the monsoons.
New Delhi
12th August 2015