Indians turning to holidays 'next door'

The fastest-growing aviation route out of India is to China, according to a recent article in the Indian business newspaper The Economic Times.

During the first six months of the year, the number of Indians travelling 'next door' to China increased almost 18 per cent, against overall growth in outbound international travel of 10 per cent. What is more, for the first time, a large number are leisure travellers, many from Mumbai.

Indians stepped into the world of international holidays cautiously, first sticking to familiar destinations such as Singapore and Dubai. These places offered the joy of being 'foreign' with some comforts of home. Then it was Europe's turn, thanks to tour packages that offered safe and well-planned itineraries, often complete with Indian food. Now the focus seems to be on China.

Journalist Pallavi Aiyar, who lived and worked in the mainland for several years, writes in her book, Smoke and Mirrors, that China's culture is the most alien to Indians. With a sense of adventure growing among Mumbai's affluent, though, China is emerging as a preferred destination along with other 'alien' countries such as Turkey and New Zealand.