CANBERRA: Australia is a favoured destination for tourists from West Bengal. Their number recorded an 18 per cent increase in 2014-15 (April-March). This footloose community also showed 49 per cent increase in spending in Australia.
Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager of Tourism Australia for India and the Gulf, said West Bengal has emerged as one of fastest growing markets for Australian tourism. “Leisure travel and visits to friends and relatives in Australia have been the main attraction for tourists from this part of India,” said Kashikar.
Of the total travellers to Australia from India in the past year, West Bengal contributed about 5 per cent. Latest statistics (till June-end) suggests that some 2.20 lakh Indians visited Australia. India is the eighth largest inbound tourist market for Australia. Tourists from West Bengal prefer self-drive holidays as Indian driving licence is valid there. The vineyard visits, short cruises, soft adventure, shopping and casinos have become popular too.
About a dozen operators service the Indian market for Australia and four international airlines link India to Australia.
In the past one year, Australian dollar depreciated 15 per cent against the rupee. “This, as well as 40,000-strong Indian student community in Australia and some 200 Indian companies active in Australia, have attracted travellers from India. Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific are considering having direct flights from India to Australia, Kashikar added.
