The number of Bahrainis travelling to India registered a six per cent increase last year compared with the previous year, it was revealed.

India Tourism's Dubai-based West Asia director C Gangadhar said this figure is expected to increase considerably as India has now launched the Visit India year 2009.

'We are particularly excited at the prospects from Bahrain since it has shown a lot of promise in recent years,' he said at the Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE 2009), being held from May 14 to 16 at the Bahrain International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

India tourism officials recently held a spectacular roadshow in Bahrain to woo tourists from the Gulf as part of its 'Visit India 2009' campaign.

The road show, which drew a number of leading tour operators and travel agents from the region, was aimed at assuring the tourists that India was indeed 'a safe, affordable and tourist-friendly country.'

'We have unveiled a number of new and more enchanting tourism products packaged for Gulf tourists that showcases the different facets of the 'beautiful and exciting country', M. Sadana, regional director India Tourism - East and West Asia and South Africa.

'From the cool green valleys of Kashmir to the backwaters of Kerala, from the forts of Rajasthan to the golden beaches of Goa, and spa and wellness holidays, India has a lot to offer tourists,' he stated.

He said the ministry has revamped its tourism strategy especially after the Mumbai attacks and had taken tough measures to make India a safe haven for tourists.

'People earlier used to visit India for medical treatment and health rejuvenation but they are now going for tourism and to see its diverse culture,' Gangadhar pointed out.

''With a country as diverse and complex as India, it is not surprising to find that people reflect the rich glories of the past, the culture, traditions and values relative to geographic locations and the numerous distinctive manners, habits and food that will always remain truly Indian, according to 5,000 years of recorded history.'

'This is what we are promoting to the outside world and it is already paying dividends,' he added.

He said there was certainly an effect on tourism arrivals post the Mumbai attacks but Indian had bounced back.

'There is enhanced security and security consciousness has been instilled. India is a very safe destination and arrivals in the last few months have shown that.'

He said Indian is also a country of all seasons.

'From the eternal snows of the Himalayas to the peninsula of the far south, from the deserts of the west to the humid deltas of the east, from the dry heat and cold of the central plateau to the cool forest foothills, Indian lifestyles reflect the geography and the food, clothing and habits of Indian differ in accordance to the place of origin.'

He said several airlines operating out of Bahrain and domestic airlines in India have launched special offers during BITE 2009 for foreign as well as Indian tourists visiting the country.

'We have already seen a huge interest and it should translate into a very successful event for us by the time it ends.' – TradeArabia News Service