India, April 4 -- We Indians know how to make any deal the best. So if cricket be our Mecca, then the places around the stadium are no less holy. Ever since the Indian Premier League (IPL) has got off the blocks, most travel companies have noticed a considerable increase in the number of tourists travelling exclusively to watch sports-related events or alternatively planning a holiday around a major sporting event. IPL has given a new dimension to the concept of sports tourism, which is still in its infancy in this country.

Reports suggest that hotels and service-providers benefit from this rush of travellers who combine a holiday with an IPL match, thereby enriching their holiday experience.

Karan Anand, head, relationships, Cox & King...