Mumbai/ Bangalore: It's Senorita for Indians this summer.
Bollywood-crazy Indians are now going where the stars have been.
Six months after the release of Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Spain continues to dominate the travel charts of Indian tourists.
Travel agents and tour operators say there has been an over 20 per cent increase in bookings to Spain this summer, thanks to the popularity of the movie.
“Also many tourists coming to Spain have already visited other parts of Europe; they want to experience a new culture,” said Mr Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia India.
Spain's Ministry of Tourism recorded over 53,000 Indian arrivals showing a growth of 35 per cent in the first half of 2011. This year, Spain expects to receive more than 56 million global tourists.
“Spain is the big mover this year, thanks to its Tourism Board's big investment in the Indian market and also because of the film, which has been extensively shot in that country,” said Mr Shravan Gupta, Managing Director, Travel Tours. “Thanks to the movie, our clients are even enquiring about the Tomatina festival and bull run.”
The movie's popularity has also spurred interest in specific destinations such as Costa Brava, Seville, Pamplona, Barcelona and Valencia featured in the movie, said Mr Frederick Divecha, Head Tour Operating B2C, Kuoni India.
Mr Gupta of Travel Tours pointed out that his business to Spain has doubled this season.
“By end of July, our company should have sent 300-400 people to Spain,” he said, adding that already over 100, including a golfers' group, had confirmed bookings for Spain.
The success of ZNMD has also encouraged Spain Tourism to initiate incentives for film production in the country besides other benefits to showcase its tourism potential.
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