Expert: Weak rupee a boon to Indian tourism

International travelers looking to take advantage of the rupee could give the Indian tourism sector a needed boost after a poor holiday season, tourism experts say.

Wency Rodrigues, Sales and Marketing Manager at Abu Dhabi Travel Bureau, said the strength of the dirham against the rupee makes India a more financially attractive destination.

“The major impact of the weak rupee will be an increase of inbound travel to India,” he said.

Rodrigues added that Emiratis and non-Indian expats would likely take advantage of strong dirham against the rupee.

Manju Manchanda, an independent travel consultant and UAE representative of India based-Swagatam Tours and Travel, said an increase in travel would boost the Indian tourism market after a “huge decline” over the last 2 months.

“Indian tourism did not benefit over the holiday period because flights were full of expats returning home,” she said.

But Bill Horsley, General Manager of Al Futtaim Travel, doesn’t think exchange rates will make a significant impact.

“India has never been successful for mass travel for Europeans and other travelers. It is a selective destination so the strength of the dirham against the rupee will make little difference,” he said.

India is cheap and good value regardless of currency exchange, he said, and some Emirati families will take advantage of the strong dirham.

Travelers will now look to Vietnam, Thailand and Australasia until the end of the year, Horsley added.