New Delhi, September 12:

The ‘Incredible India’ campaign which showcases the country’s grandeur, beauty and colourful culture has changed the perception of once-sceptical foreign tour-ists who are visiting in large numbers, say leading American travel consultants.

“The promo campaign is making a powerful visual impact and creating a perception of India being a magical place to visit,” Anne Morgaon Scully, president of McCabeBremer Travel in Virginia, said, “At the same time, the advertisement is too male-dominated, missing out on the beauty of women we see here. We need India to get over the barrier and project itself as welcoming to a family.”

Part of a 10-member delegation of leading US travel industry representatives who are on the advisory board of the leading global tourism magazine Travel and Leisure, Scully said India was very much on the radar of people keen on long-haul holidays. India last year received a record 3.5 million overseas visitors and is expecting double digit growth this year, going by trends so far.

Many among the consultants who are re-visiting India after a few years did have a lot of praise for the level of hospitality, facilities in the hotels and the diverse range of things to see around, but they also pointed out that improvement was needed in several areas. Due to the business process outsourcing industry boom in India, there are thousands of foreigners talking to people here at least once a day, the travel advisors said. “This has led to a growing perception that Indians are intellectuals and have much to talk about,” said Nancy A Strong, CEO of Dallas-based Strong Travel Services.

“India is indeed incredible, as the advertising campaign shows — whether it is the people, luxurious hotels or scenic beauty,” she said. The changing perception about India is helping remove fears about the ‘Delhi belly’ — the stomach ailment most foreign visitors seem to contract here — and about the capital being a third world destination that lacks good hotels.

In fact, tourist flow from America is slowly overtaking the number of visitors from Europe and other destinations, according to tourism ministry officials.

Miller, who also heads a travel institute, stressed the need for more communication to educate travellers and travel advisors about India. Some of the consultants said that private airlines like Jet Airways have helped bring up the standard of flying in India. Some also felt that the male-dominated themes of the ‘Incredible India’ advertisements could put off those planning family holidays.

“Not many know that India is safe for women and a family to travel in,” said Wido L Schaefer of the Los Angeles-based Travel Store, “Over the past five years, there has been a 100 per cent jump in tourist traffic from the (US) West Coast.