| While the tsunami left nearly 1.5 lakh people dead, according to the UN estimates, it has had "very little impact on the tourism industry out of India". |
| The death and destruction wreaked by the tsunami in many of the holiday destinations "have not resulted in any significant cancellations from Indian tourists," if Cox and Kings records are anything to go by. |
| In the aftermath of the tsunami strike, tourists were offered alternative destinations for holidaying, but most of them turned down the offers, according to Radhika Shastry, general manager of India operations of RCI India Pvt Ltd. The timeshare major has 49,000 registered members in India. |
| Vivek Kapoor, marketing manager, Cox and Kings adds, "After such traumatic events, people feel a sense of vulnerability and often try to strengthen family ties and get closer to their families. So we see more holidaying by families." |
| According to RCI, some 45 families from India had booked accommodations in resorts and hotels for holidays in South-East Asia and only three of the families cancelled the bookings. One family was scheduled to visit Phuket in Thailand and two of the families were set to visit Bali in Indonesia. |
| "Not many Indian tourists have been scared away by the tsunami that wreaked havoc at tourist hotspots," claims Kapoor. People were already holidaying while the tsunami struck and many were preparing to return. |
| "Indians are not the sun-and-sand holidayers wanting to holiday on the beaches. Hence, we have not had cancellations from prospective holidayers due to the tsunami" which has mostly devastated beach resorts, adds Kapoor. |
| "Even after the 9/11 World Trade Centre attacks, the travel and leisure industry had a similar experience," says an industry player. |
| The tsunami being a natural phenomena, has prompted Indian travellers to take it in their stride. "We have not seen many cancellations of bookings made for resorts in South-East Asia from our Indian clients," he added. |
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