The Commonwealth Games has had a positive impact on tourism in India despite widespread media coverage of the struggle the country faced to be ready on time.
Tourism in the country in October while the games in Delhi were being held was up 5%, said Ministry of Tourism secretary Shri R.H. Khwaja.
Speaking at WTM on Tuesday, he said he expected the long-term impact to be positive.
India increased its presence at this year’s WTM by increasing its stand space, reflecting a 10% rise in international visitor numbers to India so far this year.
Khwaja said the focus for the country was on improving infrastructure, with new city transport systems and new hotels at the top of the list.
Adventure and sports tourism are expected to be strong areas of growth, alongside medical tourism, which has increased by 30% for each of the past three years and is expected to surpass 350,000 in the next couple of years.
- More from World Travel Market at travelweekly.co.uk/wtm2010