India is forecasting healthy earnings for the tourism and leisure industry, following earnings of over US$6.6bn in 2006. The figure was revealed by Finance Minister Shri P Chidambaram on February 27, presenting his annual economic survey. He also predicted that agriculture, industry and services would all show marked growth for the year.

However, on a note of caution, the Minister cited high inflation and volatile oil prices as factors that could affect the economy at large.

Separately, IAAPA executive director J. Clark Robinson said at the recent IAAPI exhibition (Feb 21-23) that India's amusement and leisure industry would soon be "ranked on a par with developed players." He cited increased visitors and the emergence of new rides as contributing factors to the nation's leisure growth.