Tour operators cashing in on poll places to spike sales

TOURISTS HAVE SHOWN INTEREST IN EXTENDING THEIR STAY BY ADDING CITIES LIKE VARANASI TO THEIR ITINERARY

NEW DELHI: Election in the world’s largest democracy is ringing in cash for India’s tourism trade as tour operators and hoteliers are promoting the new theme-based holiday package.

Advertised as the Kumbh Mela of elections, tour operators, online sales agents, speciality and niche guidetouring firms are also cashing in on the five-week-long election polling exercise.

“Election tourism is new a phenomenon which is fast gaining popularity. It is being marketed as an additional attraction to those who are already planning a trip in India,” Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com, said.

“As it is a major world event and international attention is focussed on it, tourists have shown interest in extending their stay by adding major election battleground states and cities like Varanasi in their itinerary.”

Ahmedabad-based firm Election Tourism India, which started to sell niche packages during Gujarat assembly polls in 2012, is expecting to attract 2,000 foreigners this year.

The package which is spread across seven days and six nights with a cost of $1,200 (`75,000) without airfare, will take tourists to political rallies and show them local attractions at the same time.

“Around 800 foreigners, from France, the UK, Germany, have confirmed their arrival,” Manish Sharma of Election Tourism India said from Ahmedabad.