Speaking at the ICC Aviation and Tourism Conference, Kamal Hingorani, Chief Customer Officer at SpiceJet Ltd., emphasized the critical role of connectivity in driving tourism and economic growth. He highlighted the commencement of 200 new airports across India, stating that improved air access not only boosts tourism but also creates employment and contributes significantly to the economy.
“When you have good connectivity, tourism grows. And as a multiplier effect, jobs are created, giving a much-needed boost to the economy,” Hingorani noted.
Drawing a compelling comparison, he pointed out that Maharashtra and Vietnam have nearly the same GDP, yet Vietnam attracts 18–20 million tourists—five times more than Maharashtra. “States must carve out their own path to strengthen connectivity,” he urged, suggesting that state-level efforts are equally crucial in tapping tourism potential.
Reflecting on SpiceJet’s journey, Hingorani said, “We’ve been in the market for 19 years. While we faced major turbulence during COVID, we continued to expand by launching new destinations.” He further hinted at exciting developments ahead, particularly in alignment with government initiatives. “We will soon announce our plans related to seaplanes, as mentioned by the Secretary. In the next couple of months, we aim to unfold new strategies,” he shared.
Hingorani concluded with a strong appeal for collaboration between the public and private sectors. “The time has come to establish a task force involving both the government and private players to give tourism the much-desired lift it deserves,” he asserted.
His remarks underscored the synergy required between infrastructure development and policy support to position India as a global tourism powerhouse.
