Getting a slice of the tourism cash pie

With about 40 percent of the world's population, a rising middle class, higher disposable incomes and a long history of trading activity, the case is being made for the growth of tourism in the Bangladesh, China, India and Myanmar, or BCIM, region.

Given that 97 million Chinese traveled overseas last year - a larger number of tourists than any other country - a boom could well be on the way, according to experts.

"This is a historic opportunity to get a slice of the Chinese pie. I have no doubt that the Chinese can provide an unprecedented boost to tourism in the region. It is they who make us feel that it's highly possible to upscale the possibilities," said a senior Indian diplomat who declined to be named.