28 June,2009 07:26 AM IST | | Urvashi Seth
The increasing number of swine flu cases in India 73 people affected so far is putting the tourism industry on the edge.
The third case of swine flu has been reported in Mumbai after a 15-year-old American national was tested positive. Tour operators admit that if this continues, business may be affected by a good 25 per cent.
"We get more individual tourist bookings this season. But with WHO raising its concern over increase in virus activity during monsoons, inbound tourism has dropped by almost 30 per cent. The number of inquiries have gone down after swine flu cases started coming to India," says Iqbal Mulla, treasurer of Travel Agents Association Of India (TAAI).
Mulla grumbles that this is the fourth reason for the travel industry's losses the economic slowdown, Mumbai terror attacks, attack on Indian students in Australia being the other three.
Even hotels fear that swine flu will hit them hard. Top hotels are going to appeal to the tourism department to issue a travel advisory for foreign nationals, saying that India is safe.u00a0
Swine flu patient recoveringu00a0
The 15-year-old American tourist admitted at Kasturba Hospital is in a stable condition. The girl was tested positive for swine flu, becoming the city's third case and the state's fifth. According to Dr Umesh Aigal, Kasturba hospital superintendent, "The girl will be discharged only after she completes her five day course."
