The number of Indian travellers visiting Canada declined to 1.28 lakh as of October 2013 due to lack of direct air connectivity, the Canada Tourism Commission has said.
"As per the latest figures available, Canada Tourism Commission has seen 1,28,551 Indian visitors till October 2013. While, the total outbound Indian travel to Canada stood at 1.62 lakh last year (2012)," it said.
The Canadian Tourism Commission is one of Canada's national tourism marketing organisations.
Also Read
Though Indian travellers increased during the first and second quarters of 2012-13, "the momentum stopped during the third and fourth quarter" following the reduction of air connectivity, it said.
According to Canada Tourism Commission website, "lack of direct air capacity is presenting a barrier to travel between India and Canada as Air India failed to restore service from Delhi to Toronto after initially suspending it due to pilots' strike in June 2012".
"Passengers must now transit via air connections mainly through Europe", it said.
On the total money spent by Indian travellers while visiting Canada, the Commission said it increased to 6.4 per cent to USD 173 million and an Indian tourist on an average stayed for 24 days.
However, a Indian national spending of USD 1,065 per person per trip was the lowest among Canadian Travel Commissions' overseas markets, it said.
