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Tourists give a miss to `Mumbai ills'

MUMBAI: Apprehensions about rains, diseases and incidents of house collapse hitting the tourism industry in Mumbai seem to be coming true if one goes by present enquiries and bookings for the festive season.

Though the outbound tourism market continues to throb with last minute bookings for the weekend, it is in-bound tourism -- the real money spinner in the commercial capital of the country, that seems to be slowing down as fears of another ``possible tragedy'' grips this entertainment city.

Acccording to tourist operators, the inbound tourist season which starts in September could move back a few weeks this year.

As many as four groups, consisting of around 50 people, have already re-routed their trip to escape ``Mumbai ills,'' he maintained.

India Tourism Development Corporation spokesman N.K. Singh said in-bound tourism for the coming months has already been affected, but denied that ``extensive'' media coverage given to the ``tragedies'' has affected the industry.

``What the industry is watching closely is whether the re-routed tours will get cancelled altogether,'' Mr. Singh remarked.

However, Ms. Seema Patil, who runs a travel company, maintained that there were no such worries plaguing the outbound tourism market.

``The indications received at the week-end coinciding with the end of the Ganesh festival has showed that outbound tourism market is going well,'' Ms. Patil said. — UNI

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Tourists give a miss to `Mumbai ills'

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