Australians head to Kerala for ‘mind, body, soul’ experience

01/11/2008 0 Comments read Travel

Munnar is a hill station located in the Idukki district of the south-western Indian state of Kerala. Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Melbourne, 01.11.2008 (IANS): Australians, with their fondness for the outdoor and growing interest in yoga, meditation and ayurveda, are going all out to experience the beaches, backwaters, nature and culture of ‘god’s own country’ – Kerala.

With arrival figures from Australia in the last five years increasing by a staggering 160 percent, Australia has become the seventh largest tourism market for the south Indian state.

“The volume of tourists has doubled year after year with Kerala emerging as one of the most popular states. The Aussie tourist is now looking for exploring more than just the golden triangle – Delhi, Agra and Jaipur,” Andre Rasquinha of the Melbourne-based Travel Talk Holidays told IANS.

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Australia entices tourists to come `Walkabout’

08/10/2008 0 Comments read Indigenous, Travel

Rottnest Island, Western Australia Photo Credit: © Neena Bhandari

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 08.10.2008 (IANS): Australia is enticing international tourists to come and lose themselves in the remarkable landscape, unique culture and warmth of its people through a global tourism campaign launched Wednesday that leverages on an outback movie starring Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman.

The Australian $50 million (US$32 million) campaign, which will run in cinema, on television, print and online, across 22 countries, including India, puts the spotlight on the outback and indigenous Aboriginal culture.

“We want the growing Indian middle class to go beyond Sydney-Melbourne-Gold Coast and experience the real outback Australia and its indigenous culture,” Tourism Australia managing director Geoff Buckley told IANS Wednesday.

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Sun, sand and shopping – Sydney lures the Indian tourist

15/09/2008 0 Comments read Travel

By Neena Bhandari

Sydney, 15.09.2008 (IANS): As other international tourists give Australia a miss, Indian tourists are being lured to this harbour city of blue skies and scenic beaches with travel packages tailored specifically for the Indian market.

A high-level trade mission from the state of New South Wales (NSW) is in India this week to tap into the increasing number of Indians looking for overseas holidays.

Sydney has become one of the favourite destinations for Indian travellers, be it families, backpackers, honeymooners or business travellers. Indian holidaymakers find Sydney one of the cleanest, most user-friendly cities with some of the finest restaurants and beautiful vistas.

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