India–China Tourism Sector Eyes 25% Boost with Direct Flights on Horizon

With the signs of the India-China relationship moving towards an upbeat track, the direct flight service between the two nations may resume sooner than expected. This has shifted the Indian travel and hospitality sector’s focus to preparing for higher demand from foreign tourists in the coming months. According to the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), there’s a strong likelihood of a 20-25% increase in tourism from China within the next one and a half years. But for that to happen, the visa facilities and promotional campaigns have to be well aligned. 

Even though there has been no official announcement of the resumption of flights, Ravi Gosain, president, IATO, and Rajiv Mehra, general secretary, Federation of Associations in Indian Tourism and Hospitality (FAITH), predict the onset in October around Diwali. 

Travel Industry Gears Up 

Tourist agencies across India are already preparing to meet the upcoming demands. They are busy curating itineraries, upgrading their digital booking platforms, and collaborating with their Chinese tourism counterparts to accommodate the influx of tourists. Major airlines, such as Air India and Indigo, are also awaiting approvals to prepare flight routes to popular destinations like Chengdu and Guangzhou. 

Reviving Connectivity 

Flights between India and China, which were once considered a key route in Asia, have been lying dormant since early 2020. Now that direct flights are resuming soon, the journey time will be reduced by about 4 to 6 hours, and simultaneously, the travel costs will drop by 15 to 20%. To strengthen bilateral ties between the two superpower nations, the respective governments have agreed to go easy on visa requirements and restore air connectivity. 

As both countries are rooted in a rich culture and tradition, this reconnectivity could further attract more tourists to cultural and heritage sightseeing, such as Golden Temple, Buddhist pilgrimage sites, Ayurveda Wellness Centres, among others. 

Wider Economic and Cultural Impact 

In the pre-COVID era, Chinese tourists were among India’s top per-capita spenders, with their numbers touching a staggering 340,000 annually. Direct flights and e-visas may enhance the economic growth of both countries, as more business travel and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) events occur on a regular basis.  

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