India's early exit begins to have its impact in World Cup

Though it is over ten days that India made their exit from the Cricket World Cup, but the trail of financial disasters they have left behind by their early ouster is being felt now.

The Tourism industry, especially the hotel sector, which had big stake in the success of Team India in the World Cup has suffered a massive crash because of the huge cancellations of reservations by the Indians supporters, who were expected to flock the Islands from all parts of the globe.

''The Indian financial muscle is now showing, and it is now very evident how much this World Cup was dependent on India,'' said an official, who did not want to be named.

''You don't have to name me, but ask the hotel owners and others involved in the Industry and they will tell you the adverse effects India's early exit had on their business,'' he said.

And the official was right. ''India has had the largest following of the World Cup. They had the largest request for tickets and accommodation,'' Alvin Jemmott, president of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) told mediapersons.

He candidly admitted that the early exit of India was having a real impact on the industry. ''The Indian supporters are no longer interested in coming here. They had the largest cancellations and that has driven hotel occupancies below 70 per cent,'' he added.

According to Chief Operating Officer of the Elegant Group of Hotels, Michael Poynter, his group has already recorded ''substantial'' cancellations at all five of their properties, including Turtle Beach, Colony Club and Crystal Cove.

Poynter was quoted by local media here as saying that ''We are concerned about reservations for April, especially now that India and Pakistan are no longer in,'' adding ''We have already reduced hotel rates and had stepped up advertising in Britain and the United States.

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