The exit of the Indian Premier League (IPL) to foreign shores has hit the Indian tourism industry.

Hotels were expecting a 25 per cent boost in occupancy and the government was hoping tourism
would grow by 15 per cent but they will now have to recalculate their projections
"It will be very negative for the country and in-bound tourism will be affected very badly. If message
is, the country is not secured for games, then who will come to the country, who will invest his
money?" asks Hotel and Restaurant Association President (Western India) and Pride Hotels
Chairman. SP Jain.
The negative image may also cost Indian tourism close to Rs 10,000 crore in forex earnings over
2009 and 2010. Airlines are also worked up as no matches in India mean lower demand for
domestic travel.
"Overall direct impact will be 15-20 crore loss only in terms for hotels and airlines," says Ashwini
Kakkar, Executive VC, Mercury Travels.
But international travel may pick up a little.
"As far as aviation is concerned, I think they would benefit a bit. As teams & players would fly out,
their contingents would fly out, fans and followers would go," says Rajesh Rateria, Director, Cirrus
Travels.
But even that may not make a big difference.
The sudden turn of events has shattered some big dreams. While experts do not see a long-term
impact of this decision, the industry has definitely lost out on forex earnings and tourists at a time
when its earnings from the corporate sector were already very low.