India aims to become golf tourism destination

India’s tourism ministry is making efforts to position India as a golfing destination, Minister of Culture Kumari Selja said on Friday at a workshop in New Delhi.

According to the ministry, promoting golf as a niche tourism product can help the country showcase its other tourism attractions as well and up the foreign tourist arrivals in off-season.

"This would not only showcase its beautiful golf courses but also the diverse tourism attractions that we have for any tourist. This will enable the government to break the October to March Syndrome that affects India Tourism particularly in the case of foreign tourist arrivals," she said.

Post the successful hosting of Common Wealth Games in October 2010, India expects an increase in tourist inflow from overseas.

"With international tourists expected to grow in the next few years, it is important that India has the right product to meet the need of the visitors," Selja said, adding that India has several golf courses that are in par with international excellence.

Golf experts of the country too foresee the move effective in attracting international tourists. According to them, 52 per cent of traveling golfers are likely to take two or more golfing holidays in a year and they spend on an average, 33 per cent more on their holidays as compared to regular holiday makers, a news agency reported.