India one of the top tourism destinations in Asia - The Times of India
BANGALORE: India is one of the top tourism destinations in Asia, according to findings from aCNN global travel survey released recently. The results also position the country as the region's fourth fastest growing tourism destination and the third most attractive business for investment opportunities, right after China and Hong Kong.
One-fifth of CNN's audience of global travelers considering a visit to Asia Pacific, would consider visiting India in the 12 months and experts say its celebrated culture could be a prime reason. The destination fended off competition from Japan and Thailand to rank as the no. 1 destination in the region with the second richest culture and heritage, with only China scoring more in this category.
The study, entitled 'CNN Consumer Connect - Travel and Tourism 2013', looks at consumer travel trends, perceptions and behavior, and was hosted on all CNN websites worldwide. It polled more than 3,000 readers based in over 70 countries around the world and included 25 Asia Pacific destinations.
Duncan Morris, vice-president of Research at Turner International Asia Pacific, said, "These results are great news for India and the Asia Pacific region as a whole. CNN consumers are discerning, affluent global travelers and they clearly indicate a desire to visit this part of the world to enjoy a particular brand of hospitality, food, culture - everything that makes a travel experience distinctive. At a time where money in the household is perceived to be tighter, spending on travel is still obviously a priority for many".
A look at 'travel perceptions and behavioral trends' reveals that safety and security issues are of greater concern for two-thirds of global respondents when choosing an international travel destination. Asia Pacific-based travelers prioritize price slightly more than the global average, while reputation is third in their list of considerations.
