Times of India

Say hello to professional tourists

Sept 12, 2006

    As India’s growth story gains ground, there’s a new buzzword doing the rounds—professional tourism. Visitors from abroad are coming in not just to explore the country, but also to take up short-term assignments while they are at it. The trend took hold when backpackers visiting the country began accepting roles as extras in Bollywood films.
 

    Now, they are looking at positions in various sectors like financial services, hospitality, human resources, advertising and market research, apart from the obvious service meccas like IT and BPOs.
 

    Take Irina Kloep, for instance. The 22-year-old German student came to the country on a summer break six weeks ago. Her idea of a holiday? To work with the Bombay Community Public Trust, which evaluates the work done by NGOs at different schools. For Kloep, it meant experiencing not just the country’s culture, but also its work ethic.

    She doesn’t earn much—just about Rs 4,000 for a month’s work. But she is excited at the thought of exploring India this way. In another two weeks, she’ll be back at school.
 

    "Unlike in the past when post-graduate students visited the country seeking spirituality, students today are focused on understanding the professional revolution the country is going through," said Monisha Advani, CEO, EmmayHR.
 

    Headhunters are being inundated with resumes from Europeans and Americans who want to find a part-time or short-term stint while they holiday in India. One head-hunting firm which has offices in major cities in the country gets at least three to four requests for such stints every week, with the demand increasing during the peak tourist season from October to March.
 

    Domnic Costabir, director of the Hospitality Training Institute, a Mumbai-based school, corroborates the trend. "They want to come here to experience the culture, traditions, festivals and food," he says.

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