The Australia India Travel and Tourism Council (AITTC) has launched in Australia with the goal of enhancing and influencing bilateral tourist traffic movement between India and Australia.
The AITTC will focus on working with partners in the industry to assist in growing bilateral travel and opening up new business opportunities.
AITTC spokesperson Sandip Hor said, "We’re keen to enhance knowledge for travellers to these destinations, research travel trends, sponsor round table discussions and host industry networking."
Australia is becoming an increasingly strong market for tourism to India, being listed in the top ten source markets.
Reciprocally, Australia is a strong market for Indians travelling overseas with Tourism Australia predicting that the inbound market could rise in annual value up to AUD2.3 billion by 2020 and deliver 300,000 annual visitors.
In 2011 around 170,000 Australians travelled to India.
Managing director of Tourism Australia, Andrew McEvoy, said an additional 345,000 airline seats are needed in order to meet expected demand for Australia from India in 2020.
A UNWTO report has estimated that around 50 million Indians will travel overseas in the next six years.
Sandip Hor, AITTC spokesperson said, "The partnership between both countries has gone beyond Commonwealth, cricket and curry, and has developed into a strong exchange of culture and commerce and that includes tourism."
The AITTC founding members are:
Asgar Ali, MD of Universal Express Travels & Tours Pvt Ltd (based in Mumbai)
Ian Cameron, principal consultant, Ian Cameron & Associates Pty Ltd & former manager international operations, Destination NSW
Arnold D’Souza, managing director of ACR International Travel & Tours (ACR),
Shanker Dhar, former joint director general of India Tourism
Sandip Hor, Travel writer with expert industry knowledge, both in Australia and India
SanJeet, director, Buzz Travel Marketing and Publisher, Durga Das Publications Pvt. Ltd, head of DDP Exhibitions (based in New Delhi)
Dale Woodhouse, senior manager marketing and alliances Australia, Singapore Airlines
