India

Where to go and why

If it's culture, colour and contrast you're looking for, India is the place for you. Expats there declare their senses were assaulted on arrival and it's a "love it or hate it" kind of place. The country is huge and distances vast.

Mumbai (formerly Bombay) is the financial centre and home to India's film industry, Bollywood lies in the south of the country with 15 million inhabitants, 70% of whom are Hindu. Delhi is the political and administrative capital and Bangalore is home to the hi-tech industry.

English is the main language of business, although there are 18 official languages and 1,600 minor ones in India.

Time off can be spent escaping to the beaches of Goa, trekking in the Himalyas, riding the trains to experience India first-hand. Or head for the Taj Mahal for a testament to what love can do.

Unfortunately, despite the relative boom in the hotel market, expats are used only in senior roles.

Money

Currency: Rupee.

Salaries: £35,000-£55,000 for a general manager.

Cost of living: Three-course meal with beer/wine: £12.

Employers

International chains: Choice Hotels International; Six Continents; Hyatt.

Local companies: Indian Hotels (Taj Group), East India Hotels (Oberoi/Trident), India Tourism Development Corporation.

Living/working conditions

There's a relaxed attitude to working here. Don't expect punctuality to play a big role in the business day. Local staff are positive in attitude, well educated and willing to learn. It's easy to form friendships with locals.

Red tape

Work permits needed and only senior, experienced managers are likely to get them.

Health

Cholera, dengue fever, dysentery, malaria and hepatitis are all on the risk list, but you're more likely to succumb to so-called Delhi Belly and those with asthma may have respiratory problems in the highly polluted larger cities.

Developmental outlook

Foreign hotel chains were only allowed to take on management contracts since 1996, so the local chains (such as Oberoi and Taj hotels) are well developed. However, because of the threat from the international chains, local companies have been bringing in expats with international experience to help raise standards and improve working practices. More investment is being put into infrastructure as regional and national politicians realise the tourism potential for the economy.

Useful links

Salaries, market trends and professional organisations around the world: www.careermosaic.com.