Tourists inflow into Ahmedabad up 17%

The number of visitors to Ahmedabad from abroad rose 17 per cent in 2004 to 3270 compared with 2701 in 2003. The foreigners were mainly from countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Kenya and Singapore.

"Most of the foreigners comprised non-resident Indians (NRIs) and non-resident Gujaratis (NRGs), who come in Ahmedabad for purchasing during the marriage season. Elderly people also come to the city during the winters as they cannot bear the chilling winter in most countries abroad," said Yogesh Singh who is posted at the foreign department at police commissionerate office, Ahmedabad.

The presence of corporates like the Shell Hazira group of companies and Rexorth has also contributed to the rise in the number of visitors to Gujarat. Moreover, the foreigners visit non-governments organisations like Self Employed Women's Associations (SEWA).

Medical tourism is also catching up in Gujarat. Many tourists are able to access world class medical facilities in the city at one-fifth the cost in their own country. "Over 90 per cent of the foreigners coming from Kenya come here for kidney transplantations.

Every month at least three such patients come to Gujarat," said Vinod Makwana in the foreign department at the police commissionerate, Ahmedabad.

The number of foreign students is also on the rise with the increased exchange programme with institutes like the Indian Institute of Management-Ahmedabad (IIM-A) and the National Institute of Design (NID).

The foreigners who visited Ahmedabad in 2004 included 1531 males, 1666 females, 812 children as compared with 1303 males, 1328 females and 673 children.

The number of visitors from the US, UK, Canada, Kenya and Singapore were at an all-time high. In 2004, 1714 foreigners came from the US as compared with 1418 in 2003. The figures are similar for the UK, Canada, Kenya and Singapore.