Viewed as a destination competing with Europe’s major host countries, India has begun an evolution process that affects its own population. Just recently there were still few countries that would bet on the potential of the Indian market. And yet, these tourists who were a total of 5 million to cross the border last year should grow to 10 million at the end of 2004, and their number is estimated at 20 million for 2010. Still in the embryonic stages, it is growing at a rate of more than 10% each year, one of the fastest in the world. Spending abroad surpassed a billion euros in 1999 and should pass the threshold of 3.5 billion euros for 2004. Traditionally motivated by business travel to the Middle East or pilgrimages to holy places, international travel for personal reasons was reserved for the richest: visits to family or friends. But for several years, travel has been becoming democratised, particularly since the emergence of the middle classes who have grafted onto a travelling elite.Today, the challenge for host countries is to make themselves known within a market that is increasingly open internationally, as testified to by figures and the evolution of behaviour. “The expansion of trips to Europe and an improved adaptation of Indian tourists to their destination should intensify,” concludes Catherine Oden. It is now up to professionals to adapt themselves and gradually propose new products as this clientele evolves. This remains to be done in order to win over a clientele whose development potential is comparable to that of China in the midtermThe differences in standards of living within society are lessening and buying power is growing. “Consumption styles change and travel abroad is increasingly naturally integrated in the year’s programme,” explains one of the managers at SOTCKuoni in India, which...