Date:13/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2006/07/13/stories/2006071303970900.htm

Back Tourism sector virtually unaffected

Our Bureau

Flights operations on as per schedule

Mumbai , July 12

The bomb blasts on suburban trains in Mumbai have had little effect on the tourism sector. Barring a few outbound ticket cancellations (due to late arrivals at the airport) and enquiries (regarding security and flight operations), the terror strike has not impacted the travel industry in any manner.

Flights on schedule

"Everything is normal at the airport. There is no serious fluctuation in inbound or outbound traffic. Flight operations are going on as per schedule," said an official at the Chattrapati Shivaji International Airport.

The domestic airport at Santa Cruz logged some ticket cancellations as well. However, flights operated as usual.

The two airports are still put under high alert. Mumbai is an important gateway into the country. Last year alone some 40 lakh foreign tourists (nearly 50 per cent of total inbound tourists) entered India via Mumbai.

"The blasts have not triggered a moral panic in the travel industry. We did not have any inbound tourist cancellations today. However, there were some enquiries concerning safety and security aspects of Mumbai from some foreign tourists. But that will not have any bearing on the tourism industry," said Mr Arup Sen, Executive Director, Cox & Kings. Top sources at Thomas Cook India also held the same view.

Airliners, too, have ruled out any ill effects of the Tuesday blast.

"We had some 60 ticket cancellations (outbound travel only) yesterday. Majority of passengers reached late at the airport due to traffic jams and hold-ups," said an official with Air India.

"The scenario has changed a lot since the 9/11 attack and London blasts. People are not really worried about subversive activities or terrorist threats anymore. They have learnt to live with it and not let these activities hamper their plans. They might, at the most, go for some postponement, but will never cancel their plan," said Mr Sunil Gupta, COO, Outbound Travel, SOTC Travels and Tours.