Special events are the mainstay of tourist arrivals for many countries. The dawn of the new millennium is being viewed as a great event for the travel and tourism industry in general and the hotel industry in particular. Most hoteliers worldwide have drawn up plans to cash in on the tourist rush expected during the period. All the leading hotels around the globe have already been booked in advance for the millennium week.

Crisis hit South-East Asian countries, namely Thailand, Singapore and New Zealand plan to make good use of this event to boost tourist arrivals. According to tour operators, the planning itself for this event started a year ago. The event has been so well marketed that it would be impossible for any individual to get accommodation in any good hotel in these countries during the New Year.

New Zealand is marketing its country as the first country that will see the millennium sun, while Indonesia is promoting its long and beautiful beaches in Bali Islands for the millennium eve celebration. In Asia, Singapore is the most happening destination. The tourism friendly Singapore government has organised grand festivals like the Great Singapore Sale for window shoppers, World Gourmet Summit for food lovers, etc. Street side parties on the Orchard Road will add to the millennium festivities in Singapore.

In the UK, a millennium dome built at a cost of 758 million pound sterling will be inaugurated by the Queen mother on the first day of the new millennium in Greenwich.

Other preferred destinations are likely to be Thailand, Seychelles and Mauritius. Almost all countries with long beaches and rich flora and fauna are making use of this opportunity to boost tourism.

But neither the Indian government nor the private parties in the country have done anything worth mentioning to capitalise on the millennium opportunity. Most hoteliers spoken too are of the view that New Year celebrations this year would be no different from those in the past. The reasons being the absence of a stable government till now and lack of vision among the Indian bureaucrats.

However, some private hoteliers have organised a few millennium functions in their individual capacity with a view to making use of the opportunity. Some others have extended their normal packages for the millennium season as well. Several tour operators have worked out some interesting theme packages for the New Year.

The Leela, a leading five-star deluxe hotel in Mumbai, plans to have theme parties based on a mix of historic and futuristic themes. It has invited a Tina Turner look-a-like for the celebration and plans to impart a futuristic touch to its celebrations by converting its ballroom into a space shuttle.

Another startling fact worth mentioning here is that room rates world over have increased by 150 to 200 per cent in view of this event. But in India they have gone down for the same period. Confirming this The Leela's chairman Vivek Nair says: "We have reduced our rates to attract more new customers to our hotels. It is a good opportunity for us to bring in new customers, especially at our Goa property that has been refurbished like a Vijayanagara Palace.