Targeting two lakh Indian tourists in 2014-15, the Australian Tourism is gearing up to be “India Ready”, said Nisahant Kashikar, Country Manager (India & Gulf), Tourism Australia.
India has been identified as one of the world’s fastest growing outbound travel markets. The Australian government has been advising the travel trade and the hospitality sector to align themselves to the needs and tastes of Indian travellers.
The plan identified Indians’ food habits and their appetitive for discounts while shopping. Restaurants there are advised to offer Indian dishes on buffets and use spices in the food; to include vegetarian cuisine and to prepare vegetarian dishes in separate kitchenware, explains Kashikar. To cater to Indian tourists, Australian restaurants, which generally shut by 8.30-9 p.m., have been advised to be open till midnight as Indians are used to late dinners. Kashikar explains that to please Indians malls and shop owners have been advised to offer discounts and provide information on where bargaining is acceptable.
More reasonsAhead of the cricket World Cup next year, Australia is doing its best to woo Indian tourists, eyeing up to 10 per cent increase from last year’s 1.85 lakh visitors. The country also wants to promote itself as a culinary capital as it hopes to targetleisure travellers. “We see two key opportunities to promote Australia — one is launch of a new campaign called ‘Restaurant Australia’ that aims to position the country as culinary capital of the world and the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015,” Kashikar said. He said on an average an Indian tourist stays there for 12 days, which costs around AU$4,500 (approximately ₹2.5 lakh), including air fare.