Destination specialist Wendy Wu Tours has credited television programmes and films for a ‘significant growth’ in interest for India since the beginning of 2017.
The company has seen UK departures to India increase by 150% year-on-year with its nine-day Golden Triangle tour, visiting Delhi, the Taj Mahal and Jaipur, proving the most popular.
Heightened interest in the southern state of Kerala and doubling of demand for the Kerala and Southern Highlights tour has been attributed to BBC One’s celebrity reality show The Real Marigold Hotel and ITV’s The Good Karma Hospital.
Commercial director of Wendy Wu Tours Joe Sutcliffe said: “We always felt India was on the cusp of something big and the various events and TV shows have certainly fuelled the desire for people to travel there.
“We have certainly seen significant growth for India in the first two months of this year. As well as the iconic Taj Mahal, India has some incredible experiences to offer from the relaxed, far south to the colour and palaces of Rajasthan.
“The fact that people are now spending more time in the country means they can experience even more of its unique charms.”
India is marking the 70th anniversary of its independence in 2017 and to mark the event the film Viceroy’s House is due to be released which Sutcliffe believes will further boost demand.
The tour company has also seen a growth in longer tours, such as the 18-day Highlights of India tour, which is currently seeing an increase in booking volumes of more than 96% year-on-year.