This initiative comes as India emerges as the first market to recover to pre-COVID tourism levels, and Kolkata, with its rich cultural heritage, plays a pivotal role in Australia’s tourism strategy
Australia’s tourism department is set to offer exclusive travel packages for Durga Puja celebrations, targeting travelers from eastern India. They are also exploring the possibility of launching direct flights between Kolkata and Australia, reported indianlink.com.au.
This initiative comes as India emerges as the first market to recover to pre-COVID tourism levels, and Kolkata, with its rich cultural heritage, plays a pivotal role in Australia’s tourism strategy.
Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager for India and Gulf at Tourism Australia, emphasized the significance of Kolkata as a key market. He stated, “India has achieved pre-COVID tourism levels, and Kolkata is a crucial market for us. We are collaborating with local travel agents in Kolkata to create Puja-themed travel packages.”
Kashikar revealed that discussions are ongoing with approximately a dozen travel agents in Kolkata to design all-inclusive Puja packages catering to tourists of all age groups.
The proposed two-week packages would cover four of Australia’s eight states and cost between Rs 3 lakh and Rs 3.5 lakh per person (approximately AUD 6,000 – 7,000), including airfares. These packages are expected to be available for honeymooners during the Puja-Diwali season and throughout the year.
While direct flights between Kolkata and Australia have not been confirmed yet, several factors have contributed to the surge in Indian tourism to Australia. Since Australia reopened its tourism sector in February 2022, there has been a significant increase in Indian visitors, with 383,000 Indians traveling to Australia between July 2022 and June 2023, marking a 3% increase from 2018-19 figures. India has risen from the seventh to the fourth-largest inbound market for Australia. Indian tourists have also spent a substantial Rs 11,000 crore in Australia during this period, reflecting a 16% increase compared to 2018-19.
One key factor driving this surge is the simplified visa processing system. Kashikar highlighted the fully digitized process, which eliminates the need for personal interviews, biometrics, or physical document submissions, including passports. Flight tickets and accommodation vouchers are not mandatory at the time of application.
Another contributing factor is the growth of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) travel, with various sectors such as banking, infrastructure, automobiles, and healthcare sending groups to Australia.
Additionally, the tripling of air capacity between India and Australia has made airfares more competitive, further increasing tourist interest in the region. The combination of streamlined visa processing and increased air capacity has facilitated the growth of Indian tourism to Australia.
Australia’s tailored travel packages for Durga Puja holidays and the potential for direct flights between Kolkata and Australia represent exciting opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism growth, and business collaborations between the two countries
While direct flights between Kolkata and Australia are still in the planning stages, this initiative has the potential to enhance cultural exchange, trade, and tourism between the two countries. It could serve as a gateway to India’s eastern and northeastern regions, which are less explored by Australians and non-resident Indians from other Indian states.
Navneet Mittal from Travel2India in Wollongong NSW emphasized the growing Indian population in Australia, stating, “The Australian population of Indian origin has exceeded 800,000, now constituting nearly 4% of the total Australian population.” Therefore, establishing direct flights could offer significant advantages to both Australia and India, fostering cultural exchange and tourism growth.
Jayanta Bairagi, Secretary of the Melbourne Bengali Association, highlighted the opportunity for travelers to experience Bengali traditions and Puja celebrations abroad. He said, “You don’t have to miss out on Pujo entirely when traveling from one country to another. In fact, you can immerse yourself in a unique opportunity to experience how Bengali traditions and Pujo celebrations are preserved by like-minded Bengalis worldwide.”
Bairagi also pointed out the potential for business collaborations, as visitors to Pujo festivities may explore business opportunities, fostering new ventures and growth.
Australia’s tailored travel packages for Durga Puja holidays and the potential for direct flights between Kolkata and Australia represent exciting opportunities for cultural exchange, tourism growth, and business collaborations between the two countries.
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