Bangladesh replaces US on tourist inflow

[BanglaBhoot]

A new pecking order has emerged for foreign tourist arrivals in India. The US, the traditional top source for arrivals, has lost the spot it held for years to Bangladesh. India’s neighbour has for the first time become the biggest source market for foreign tourists coming to the country.


Data from ministry of tourism showed 1.37 million visitors came to India from Bangladesh in 2016, up 21 per cent over the number in 2015. The 21 per cent growth was much higher than the increase of 8.2 and 10.4 per cent seen in arrivals from the US and UK, respectively. The UK is the third-largest source market for foreign tourists.


The rise of Bangladesh in the Indian travel market has been quite rapid. From a mere 0.48 million visitors in 2012, the number has now grown almost threefold. Bangladesh now accounts for 15.47 per cent of the total 8.89 million foreign tourists who visited India in 2016. The US and UK accounted for 14.74 and 9.51 per cent, respectively. Quality medical and health-care facilities in India is one of the reasons for the growing number of tourists from Bangladesh. Trade and business are another factor. Government data show that of the 134,344 medical visas issued by India in 2015, half went to citizens from Bangladesh. The number of medical visas increased to almost 97,000 during the first half of 2016.


An earlier report by KPMG said the highest number of medical tourists in India come from Bangladesh (more than a fifth) because of the lack of “quality health-care infrastructure and unavailability of skilled manpower" in the neighbouring country.


Foreign tourists (all nationalities) are estimated to have brought foreign exchange earnings of $23 billion in 2016, 9.8 per cent higher than in 2015.


India dominates bilateral trade of $6.76 billion, but imports from Bangladesh are rising. Even though bilateral trade slipped more than four per cent to $6.76 billion in 2015-16, imports from Bangladesh to India grew 17 per cent to $727 million.


Apparel, textile fibre, fruit and fish are top import items from the neighbouring nation.


A large number of visitors from Bangladesh come to India by the bus that connects Dhaka to Kolkata. Therefore, Haridaspur, a check-post in West Bengal, ranked third or fourth among top ports of entry into India for most months in 2016.



http://www.business-standard.com/ar...aces-us-on-tourist-inflow-117020700043_1.html

 

[Nilgiri]

Well looks like the claims of 80%+ tourists from BD to India being "medical" are unfounded and false....maybe 20 - 30% at most.

Its also worth noting that BD has long way to go in total spending value compared to US and several other top ranking source countries for India.

Its really how much the total money spent that matters rather than raw total number of visitors.

More tourism is welcome from BD and I hope India puts in a relevant e-system (if not done so already) to check there is precise 1:1 exits and arrivals.

 

[Jugger]

India should welcome Bangladeshi tourists with both arms, it will only deepen the relation between both countries.
Just make sure the jaamati extremists and ISIS sympathizers don't come over and spread their hatred. Bangladesh is fighting an important battle against extremist ideology and we must ensure that the liberal moderate Bangladeshis win against the hardliners.

 

[Śakra]

Please don't come to our country, tyvm.

 

[Orakzai]

Please don't come to our country, tyvm.

Thought Bangladeshis were your friends

 

[YogaMudra]

How many of them Go back ? is anybody keeping count ?

 

[supun1]

I was thinking of visiting India, would it be difficult to get around without speaking Hindi in Delhi? and would people look at me weird if I didn't speak Hindi? or is it normal for a person from non-hindi speaking state not be able to speak Hindi?

Because I know when I traveled to other foreign countries where there are Indians, some Indians would start speaking to me in Hindi, and it becomes really awkward when you have to explain that you don't understand. And they look at you weird.

 

[YogaMudra]

I was thinking of visiting India, would it be difficult to get around without speaking Hindi in Delhi? and would people look at me weird if I didn't speak Hindi? or is it normal for a person from non-hindi speaking state not be able to speak Hindi?

Because I know when I traveled to other foreign countries where there are Indians, some Indians would start speaking to me in Hindi, and it becomes really awkward when you have to explain that you don't understand. And they look at you weird.

Are you suggesting that most foreigners who visit India speak hindi ?

 

[Nilgiri]

I was thinking of visiting India, would it be difficult to get around without speaking Hindi in Delhi? and would people look at me weird if I didn't speak Hindi? or is it normal for a person from non-hindi speaking state not be able to speak Hindi?

Because I know when I traveled to other foreign countries where there are Indians, some Indians would start speaking to me in Hindi, and it becomes really awkward when you have to explain that you don't understand. And they look at you weird.

Speak English and say you are from Sri Lanka. Most will understand your situation if they make that error. Ignore any that are still rude about it....and move on to other more accommodating people when that happens.

It may be handy however to learn a few common phrases so you can break the ice and show you made some effort (and people will be happy to see that). Take a smartphone with one of the translation apps for further help if needed.

 

[supun1]

Speak English and say you are from Sri Lanka. Most will understand your situation if they make that error. Ignore any that are still rude about it....and move on to other more accommodating people when that happens.

It may be handy however to learn a few common phrases so you can break the ice and show you made some effort (and people will be happy to see that). Take a smartphone with one of the translation apps for further help if needed.

Yeh, I think learning some common phrases would be an excellent idea.

How common is for a person in Delhi visiting from a non hindi speaking state to not understand hindi? Give me a number 10% 50%? 90%?

Because I'd rather avoid awkward situations in its entirety, but if it's rare, I don't mind risking it to see the sights of India.

 

[YogaMudra]

Yeh, I think learning some common phrases would be an excellent idea.

How common is for a person in Delhi visiting from a non hindi speaking state to not understand hindi? Give me a number 10% 50%? 90%?

Because I'd rather avoid awkward situations in its entirety, but if it's rare, I don't mind risking it to see the sights of India.

Pretty much every Indian visiting Delhi knows some elementary Hindi. The people who do not know any Hindi would be 0%.

 

[supun1]

Pretty much every Indian visiting Delhi knows some elementary Hindi. The people who do not know any Hindi would be 0%.

by elementary do you mean beyond common phrases?

 

[YogaMudra]

by elementary do you mean beyond common phrases?

Most people who go to school learn Hindi in school.

So even if they cannot speak it, most will understand it. Most infact will know the meaning of common words, common slangs, tea, coffee, taxi, auto, help, doctor etc.

 

[Nilgiri]

Yeh, I think learning some common phrases would be an excellent idea.

How common is for a person in Delhi visiting from a non hindi speaking state to not understand hindi? Give me a number 10% 50%? 90%?

Because I'd rather avoid awkward situations in its entirety, but if it's rare, I don't mind risking it to see the sights of India.

Its pretty rare. You have to be from the south pretty much (more specifically TN) and from earlier generation generally to go over say 1/3rd or half not understanding. With newest generation from TN its much less (not knowing at least basic Hindi) with many if not most students opting to study Hindi at some level at some stage.

For other states, even in south, Hindi proficiency is generally 80%+ I would estimate...with almost full remainder knowing enough to get around.

I mean back when my grandpa did his pilgrimage from TN to North India....it was an era when TN general literacy of Hindi was less than 10% but he still knew enough to get around. If back then it was like that it really isnt an issue now for most I would think.

 

[supun1]

Its pretty rare. You have to be from the south pretty much (more specifically TN) and from earlier generation generally to go over say 1/3rd or half not understanding. With newest generation from TN its much less (not knowing at least basic Hindi) with many if most students opting to study Hindi at some level at some stage.

For other states, even in south, Hindi proficiency is generally 80%+ I would estimate...with almost full remainder knowing enough to get around.

I mean back when my grandpa did his pilgrimage from TN to North India....it was an era when TN general literacy of Hindi was less than 10% but he still knew enough to get around. If back then it was like that it really isnt an issue now for most I would think.

When I was London about a year ago, some fat guy in his 40s started speaking to me in Hindi, I told him I didn't understand, then he said something to me in hindi and I gave me him a blank stare. Then he told me that I was a shame to India, and told me to learn my mother tongue called me disgrace and walked way. I was shocked, and so cringe worthy.

That wasn't the first time either, but others just look at me weird and walkway.