Dipping rupee drives Indian tourists to southeast Asia

NEW DELHI: It is hard to dampen the enthusiasm of the intrepid Indian traveller. Daunted by the rising dollar, they are giving traditional favourites the US and Europe a miss and heading towards southeast Asian destinations this summer making Thailand, Bhutan, Cambodia and Vietnam the flavour of the season.

Southeast Asia recorded a 13% increase in foreign tourist arrivals so far, making it the fastest growing destination according to preliminary data released by Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).

TUI India senior vice-president Sunil Hasija said, "This quarter, destinations like Bhutan, Cambodia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Nepal, the Philippines, Singapore and Vietnam contributed a healthy 40% growth from the Indian outbound travel."

sourced: timesofindia