Tourism and Travel Trends from India:
News and views on India's Travel and Hospitality Sector

Weekly News Related to Travel Industry in India

Top Travel Destinations
Places in the news
Travel and transportation infrastructure
Medical Tourism
Religious Tourism
Holistic Healing Service Providers
Travel characteristics of Indians
Investment related
Travel and Tourism Support Industries …and much more

Top Travel Destinations

Places in the news

1. Incredible India dominating global tourism
India is making a big splash the world over. Be it “India everywhere” at the World Economic Forum in Davos (that too twice over!), the India splash at Frankfurt Book Fair or the trade fair at Hanover, brand India is getting only stronger. 

The latest in the series has been the extravagant blitz at ITB Berlin 2007, one of the largest international travel shows, which wowed the world and India alike. 

Such was the dazzle that Indians back from the show can’t just stop raving about it. “It was the best show ever by Indian tourism that I have seen in the last 30 years,” says Sunirmol Ghosh, MD, Indo Asia Tours. 

The local media, too, was floored. As one local newspaper put it: “The show put up by India sets a new benchmark and makes it difficult for the next partner country at ITB.” As it goes, India was the partner country at ITB this year. According to Amitabh Kant, joint secretary, ministry of tourism, about Rs 10 crore was spent on the whole show. 

And not without results. The amount of business that India sellers saw at Berlin was mind boggling, says Ghosh. 

“The travel trade comes in for the first three days of the show and the next two days are predominantly open for public. This time, though, our team of six was busy with agents through all five days,” he exclaims. 

As part of the festivities, there were performances by 70-80 cultural artistes from India besides a unique fashion show by Ritu Kumar that had 30 Indian models participating in it. 

Two exclusive exhibitions on India were also screened — one of them by National Geographic’s best known photographers. But what really stole the show was an authentic Indian wedding of a German couple who met in India when they were learning the tabla and kathak. 

Outside, too, it was India all the way. Buses and taxis sported Incredible India banners. Huge outdoor ads with brand new Incredible India creatives adorned the streets of Berlin. Even at the railway station and the airport, it was Incredible India dominating the scene. 

“Additionally, CNN, BBC, National Geographic, Euro News — all gave us additional spots for our electronic campaign,” informed Kant. And this will stay in the city for another 2-3 months. 

The India evening was a hit too, with a 29-course Indian meal on offer for over 4,500 people. The Indian hotels — Taj, Oberoi, Maurya and Hyatt — had flown in their speciality chefs for the event. 

“The total business transacted for India was $1.5 billion,” informed Kant. The best thing for India was participation from products from smaller and newer Indian cities like Indore, Shekhawati, Arunachal Pradesh. 

Proof that business was good for the Indian pavilion is that people were willing to look at new products and readily booked themselves for the summer months of May and June when told that November and December were sold out. 

“People came to us with inquiries for lesser known festivals such as the elephant mela in Sonepur (close to Patna) and some other cattle fairs in Rajasthan,” says a leading tour operator. 

According to Kant, next on the cards is a big outdoor splash at Cannes and, if all goes well, it will be the World Travel Mart London later this year.

Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: MSN India

2. ITB Berlin sets new records
With 15% more trade visitors with an increasingly international dimension, ITB Convention with 9,000 participants (+25%) and highly topical subject matter benefitted India trememdously as a partner country. it had a total attendance of 177,154.

In 2003 approximately one third of all trade visitors came to Berlin from abroad, this year they accounted for a 43% rise over the previous year. New records were set for the number of exhibitors: 10,923 companies from 184 countries up from 10,856 exhibitors from 183 countries.

Trade visitors broke the 100,000 barrier for the first time. Between Wednesday and Friday 108,735 trade visitors were recorded, up from 94,553 in 2006. On Saturday 68,419 people came in search of ideas for their next vacation. During the ITB Berlin, India highlighted a wide range of offers and promotional campaigns. ITB Berlin was attended by 8,000 journalists from 91 countries. ITB Berlin 2008 will be from Wednesday to Sunday, 5 to 9 March 2008.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: Economic Times

3. Kanyakumari to get a facelift
The Government has decided to give a facelift to Kanyakumari.

According to sources, the Government has allotted a sum of Rs. 20 crores for the beautification of Kanyakumari. In the first phase, a sum of Rs.2.58 crore has been allotted to develop basic amenities.

A sum of Rs.52.07 lakh has been allotted to set up a footpath, handrails and floor tiles from the gateway to Kanyakumari, from Vivekananda Kendra to Gandhi Mandapam.
The Government has allotted a sum of Rs.75 lakh to provide landscaping in front of Gandhi mandapam, Kamarajar mandapam and railway station.

Signboards and tourist maps would be installed in various parts of the district.

The Thiruvaluvar statute would be given a facelift. Renovation of the statue was going on and would be completed at the earliest.

The Tourism Minister, N. Suresh Rajan, who held a meeting with officials directed them to complete the works on or before the end of April.

Saturday, March 17, 2007
Source: The Hindu

4. Ooty's wayside gardens go to seed
Udhagamandalam, which takes pride in its verdancy, is rapidly turning grey and brown on account of the proliferation of buildings and denudation of the hills.

With transformation becoming a major source of concern to various sections of society, particularly environmentalists and senior citizens, a view gathering ground here is that the hill station's wayside gardens should not only be protected but also improved.
Having for long been conspicuous features of the vacation destination which provided a treat to the eyes, many of them have over the years gone to seed owing to misuse and neglect.

Many old residents regret that the gardens which used to stand out against the landscape are now dwarfed by huge concrete structures which are springing up all around them. Some have fallen prey to the designs of encroachers.

The old residents recalled that a beautiful wayside garden on the Government Botanical Garden road which had been taken over by encroachers had been reclaimed with considerable difficulty a few months ago. It has been fenced and efforts are on form another garden there.

Indian National Trust for Art, Culture and Heritage (INTACH), the Nilgiris, convenor Geetha Srinivasan told The Hindu that if the wayside gardens were allowed to deteriorate posterity would not forgive the present generation. Since this vacation destination and flowers are synonymous more wayside gardens should be created. There are now about 10 such gardens.

Maintenance
Government Botanical Garden manager N. Mani said that though the department of horticulture off and on helped improve some of the wayside gardens, owing to want of maintenance they became eyesores in a few days.

Mr. Mani promised that the traffic islands at Charing Cross would be beautified soon. A civic official said some of the corporate sector undertakings displayed considerable eagerness in taking over the gardens for maintenance. However, when it came to upkeep they are found wanting.

Saturday, March 17, 2007
Source: The Hindu

Travel and transportation infrastructure

Sector: Aviation

1. Carriers find new way to pass on congestion levy to fliers
On the face of it, domestic carriers have bowed to the government’s diktat of withdrawing the congestion surcharge of Rs 150 per ticket. But this will provide no joy to the consumer. Here’s why. Jet Airways is replacing the congestion surcharge with another surcharge of Rs 150. Airlines such as Air Deccan are withdrawing the surcharge next week, but adding it to their basic fare. Other carriers, especially the low cost ones, are expected to follow suit next week.

Most carriers will take a final call on the issue after a hurriedly called meeting between Civil Aviation secretary Ashok Chawla and the head-honchos of various carriers on Monday. Earlier this week, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had given the airlines time till March 24 to find a way out out of the impasse. Delhi High Court had recently send legal notices to the government asking them on what grounds were airlines charging Rs 150 as congestion surcharge.

“We will continue with it as a surcharge, but under a different nomenclature,” Jet CEO Wolfgang Prock-Schauer told ET.

Air Deccan expects to do away with the surcharge by middle of next week, while a Kingfisher Airlines spokesperson said, ”We are looking at the issue.” Kingfisher promoter Vijay Mallya is currently out of the country and is expected to be back on Monday. Senior executives from SpiceJet and IndiGo said that they are expected to take a call on the issue on Monday. Industry executives said most carriers are likely to remove the surcharge and add it to their basic fare.

Air Deccan MD GR Gopinath conceded that the move to remove the surcharge would not make much difference to air fares. Following a diktat by the ministry of civil aviation, national carrier Indian had not imposed the congestion surcharge.

The ministry and carriers have been at loggerhead over the issue of the congestion surcharge. The contention of airlines was that on-air congestion over major metros was hitting their bottom lines.

Saturday, March17, 2007
Source: Economic Times

2. Jet Airways to launch Ahmedabad-London flights
Jet Airways, India's leading private airlines, will launch its new twice-a-week-international flight from Ahmedabad to Heathrow in London on April three.

This will be enhanced to three flights a week from May, the airlines said in a release. While the flight will operate from Ahmedabad on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, it would be, in the return direction from Heathrow to Ahmedabad, on Tuesdays and Sundays from April three to April 30.

Effective from May one, an additional frequency will be added on this sector every Saturday, from Ahmedabad and on every Friday from Heathrow.

Ahmedabad will be the fourth city in India which will be linked with London Heathrow by Jet Airways.

At present, Heathrow is served with twice daily flights from Mumbai, once daily from Delhi and six times a week from Amritsar.

The Airways will operate the Ahmedabad-London-Ahmedabad flight with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft which has 30 seats in Premiere Class and 196 seats in the Economy Class.

Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Source: PTI via Economic Times

3. Kingfisher’s firsts
Kingfisher Airlines announced the launch of direct flights to Agatti from Kochi, the first private Indian airline to do so. Guests who arrived on the maiden flight of Kingfisher Airlines from Agatti were treated to a cultural extravaganza comprising a traditional welcome ceremony followed by a dance performance. The Gateway to Lakshadweep, Agatti and its satellite islands of Bangaram, Tinnakkara and Parali present a breathtaking spectacle of sparkling coral reefs, turquoise blue lagoons, silvery beaches and lush green coconut palms.

Kingfisher has also announced the Kingfisher Airlines Mega Mile Move (MMM), to encourage frequent flying members of other airlines’ programmes to shift to King Club, along with their airmiles. enrolment would be done by showing a statement from the passenger’s current frequent flyer programme.

Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: Economic Times

Sector: Waterways

1. Kolkata Port Trust plans river tourism
Imagine boarding a luxurious vessel to cruise along the Ganges, sipping your mocktail as you float towards a tourist destination that you always reached through air or rail.

Sounds exotic? It might become a reality soon for tourists arriving in West Bengal. The Kolkata Port Trust (KoPT) is gearing up to promote river tourism, using the waterways that connect the City of Joy with many destinations along the Ganges, called the Hooghly in Kolkata.

"We have decided to kick off river tourism and coastal tourism from Kolkata Port. In coastal tourism, several tourist destinations like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Puri in Orissa and the Sagar Islands of Sundarbans will be connected with Kolkata through the waterways," KoPT chairman A.K. Chanda said.

Chanda said KoPT also has plans to introduce luxury boats for tourists from Kolkata to West Bengal districts like Murshidabad, Malda and Nadia.

All these three districts are of rich historical significance and have emerged as tourism hotspots for people coming from different parts of the world. These districts are also connected by the same national waterways - the Ganges.
Kolkata port is the only port in India that is connected through river. All other ports in the country are seaports.

"We have started rejuvenating canals which are linked with the Ganges. KoPT has also allotted land to a private company, Vivada Inland Transport Ltd., near the Millennium Park to run a cruise service from Kolkata to Sundarbans - a global heritage that has developed as a perfect place for ecotourism," he revealed.

Chanda added that an air-conditioned vessel, Paramhansa, was now ready to start its journey with the accommodation of 100 people.

A.K. Mukherjee, a KoPT official, said the state government had constituted a committee headed by the KoPT chairman. There are other representatives from the tourism department of West Bengal, Orissa and Andaman. This committee is solely working on encouraging coastal tourism from Kolkata.

"We are looking for global partners to join in this venture. Talks are on with Singapore-based Star Cruise and Viking River Cruise of the US. We want them to run international standard vessels on the Ganges, connecting several important tourist destinations," said Mukherjee.

The KoPT has also given permission to a private river transport company, East India Navigation, to operate their vessels from Outram ghat jetty No.1 in Kolkata for local sightseeing.

"We welcome the members of the UK delegation that came to Kolkata for developing maritime facilities though they are not experts in river tourism. Another British delegation will come shortly to explore investment opportunities in coastal tourism here," Chanda said.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Source: IANS via Yahoo! News

Sector: Hotels and Restaurants

1. Oberoi to chug ahead on royal luxury-on-wheels
This could be a seven-day luxury in train, dubbed as royal-luxury-on-wheels. The Oberoi group is planning to launch a high-end train safari on the lines of Palace-on-Wheels. One night stay in the train would cost over $700 per person.

The total project cost is pegged at around Rs 40-45 crore, where the Oberoi group would hold 57.5% stake, with the rest being held by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation. The super luxury train project in Rajasthan is expected to go on rails by end-2008.

“Most of the deal is being finalised with the Oberoi Group. The designs of the special luxury coaches are currently being finalised. The Oberoi group will be entrusted with the management and operation of the new venture,” IRCTC chairman and managing director PK Goel told ET.

Currently, a booking on the weekly Palace-on-Wheel, popular with foreign tourists and NRIs, comes for anywhere between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh. It starts from New Delhi and passes through Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Bharatpur and Agra. Buoyed by the response, the railways plans to launch a second Place-on-Wheels service by end 2007, with a project cost of around Rs 30 crore.

According to S S Mukherji, managing director, East India Hotels, the top-end luxury product would largely be targeted at high-end international tourists. There will be 32 luxury suites on wheels which can accommodate up to 64 travellers, with an on board Spa. “The positioning of this product would be similar to any of our top-end luxury hotels,” Mr Mukherji said.

Saturday, March 17, 2007
Source: Economic Times

2. NRI hotelier Chatwal to invest Rs 45-bn in India
Prominent Indian American hotelier Sant Singh Chatwal plans to invest Rs 45 billion (over $1 billion) in India by 2009 for setting up a chain of hotels, including a 7-star one.

"India is a virgin country in the hospitality sector. I would like to explore the potential here," Chatwal told reporters here Monday.

Each hotel will have a convention centre with a capacity for 2,000-3,000 people, he said.

US based Chatwal is the president and CEO of Hampshire Hotels and Resorts (HHR) and owns hotels in the US, Europe and Thailand. The group operates properties in Manhattan with a total of 2,500 rooms and also plans to open a five-star hotel in Times Square.

Chatwal said his group has acquired land in major Indian cities like Bangalore and Hyderabad in south India, and was in negotiations for property in Mumbai.

Chatwal is a former Indian Air Force pilot who migrated to the US in the 1980s and started the Bombay Palace chain of restaurants.

Last year, Chatwal hosted an extravagant wedding in India for his son Vikram. The wedding including a week of festivities spread out over three Indian cities.

Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Source: IANS via Economic Times

3. Forays in hospitality sector
The Bird Group under its wholly owned subsidiary , Bird Hospitality Services (BHS), today announced its foray in the hospitality business with Dusit Hotels and Resorts, Thailand’s leading premier hotel company. Under this joint venture, Bird Hospitality Services is committed to develop six , 4 to 5 star hotels, which will provide Dusit the possibility to manage or franchise several hotels in India.

The first three properties, projected to open within 2010, are in Delhi, Goa and Rishikesh; and the next three by 2013 will be in Pune, Amritsar and Jaipur. The total investment in the Hotels from Bird Hospitality Services is approximately over 200 million U.S Dollars.

Elaborating on the same Ankur Bhatia, Executive Director, Bird Group said, “The Bird Group has been a forerunner in the travel and tourism industry for almost four decades, with a touch point in every vertical of the industry.

Seeing the tremendous demand and the burgeoning growth in this sector, it was only logical for us to step into the hospitality industry. We are delighted to enter into a strategic alliance with Dusit Group, Thailand’s leading and one of the oldest hotel groups.

Considering that India is witnessing a tremendous boom with inbound travel of 4.43 million in 2006 with a double digit growth forecast year on year till 2020, this partnership comes at the most opportune time.

Our main focus will be to provide our customers a world-class experience with professional quality service that blends efficiency and traditional touch.”

He further added, “Delhi is already in short supply of business and leisure hotels, which will be further heightened with the advent of the Commonwealth Games in 2010, while in Goa there is a growing demand in leisure (domestic and overseas) segment, and Rishikesh is also witnessing a sharp rise in demand of leisure and MICE segments. “
Friday, March 16, 2007
Source: Economic Times

4. Hospitality chains going the wi-fi way
Global competition and shortage of trained manpower is forcing hospitality chains across the country to commit huge money on hi-tech gadgets like wi-fi (wireless fidelity) connection, internet facilities, touch screen terminals for check-in and express check-outs to lure customers.

Accounting systems and internet/email were utilised the highest by hotels among all technology systems, representing approximately 92% and 87% respectively in 2006. Internet, email and website systems used by hotels as distributions channels continued to grow to 87% and 77% in 2005-06 from 65% and 33%, respectively in 2004-05.

Local area network (LAN) and point of sale system for food and beverage have also gained importance for hotels accounting for 65% and 66% in 2006, according to a latest FHRAI (Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Association) and HVS International report.

While hi-end features increase operational efficiencies, it also helps hotel companies to capture guest preferences and provide a better service, say sources. To keep up with the latest hi-end trends, Indian hotel companies have upped spends by 25-30% in recent months to undertake regular renovations and refurbishment’s. Traditionally a lean season phenomenon, big-name hotel chains like the Hilton Mumbai, Taj Mumbai, Leelas, Viceroys undertook renovations and refurbishment’s of a few floors.

“The expectations of the business traveller are on the rise. For the business traveller, dedicated business support and attention to detail are intransigent. We not only offer the business traveller services to make their trip simple and stress-free but a multitude of hi-tech facilities to make the trip a comfortable, relaxing and memorable experience,” said a Hilton official based in Mumbai.

Although a customer would recall the presence of hi-end gadgets in the hotel room; quality of service would be considered far more important, say company officials. “The hospitality industry is a very customer centric industry and by having hi-tech technology, it improves the back-end and front end efficiencies, said Chender Baljee, CMD, Royal Orchid.

The manpower shortage has been created mainly because of the number of hotels that have come up in the last one year adding additional rooms, say industry sources. The next 4 years will see more than 2.9 million hotel rooms, out of which the star category will account for one lakh hotel rooms.

Meanwhile,strong tourist inflows, business as well as leisure , on the back of a growing economy has fuelled a very strong demand for hotels in the recent past. With occupancies in the range of 74-78% across the country, hotels raised room rates (ARRs) by 20-40% in last few months.

Sunday, March 11, 2007
Source: Economic Times

Medical Tourism

1. Great India Tour Company and KIMS takes medical value travel to global heights
Great India Tour Company (GITC) and Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) are the pioneers of Medical Value Travel in India and have taken medical value travel to global heights.

Great India Tour Company started the efforts of marketing medical value travel from the year 2001 onwards, joining hands with KIMS, a 450 bedded multi- specialty tertiary care hospital of international standards and repute. KIMS Hospital is the first and the only hospital in India to be accredited by the Australian Council for Health Care Standards International (ACHSI) and National Accreditation Board for Hospitals (NABH). KIMS is a premier institution, which has invested immensely in the area of quality and safe patient care since its inception. KIMS Hospital has thirty-eight departments, 250 doctors and staff of 1,200 working round the clock. The hospital operates in a built up area of 3,50,000 square feet spread over 11 floors.

KIMS has a dedicated department solely for servicing medical value travel. An entire floor with state-of-the-art facilities is earmarked at KIMS exclusively for medical value travel patients. Apart from modern medicines, KIMS has also introduced Ayurvedic treatment, known as KIMS Ayurveda, as part of medical value travel packages. A special area with the most modern facilities is ear marked at KIMS for Ayurveda treatment. In the year 2006 KIMS Hospital received more than 17,000 medical value travel Patients, from different parts of the world.

Plastic and cosmetic surgery, Maxillo facial surgery, dental treatments, cosmetology, hip and knee replacement surgery, ophthalmology, voice therapy, obesity treatment are some of the treatments that are marketed very well internationally by KIMS and GITC for medical value travel. The Great India Tour Company provides the tourism services and facilitations. E M Najeeb, chairman, GITC and executive director, KIMS Hospital and Dr M I Sahadulla, chairman and managing director, KIMS Hospital, have stated that they are initiating further steps to intensify the marketing of medical value travel and explore new markets. Najeeb and Dr Sahadulla are also advisory committee members of medical value travel, constituted by the Department of Tourism, Kerala. KIMS has signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with more than seven companies from different countries for the promotion of medical value travel to this part of the world. KIMS has also signed a MoU with leading US-based health company, Health Options International for promoting medical value travel.

KIMS Hospital won the award for the `Maximum Foreign Exchange Earning,' from the Government of Kerala for the year 2004 and 2005. GITC also won the 'Best Tour Operator Award,' for the year 2005-'06, instituted by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala. This is for the fourth consecutive year that GITC has won the coveted award. The company has also won the award for 'Marketing the Best Tourism Product', in the international market for promoting medical value travel

March 2007
Source: Expresstravelworld(ETW)

Religious Tourism

Holistic Healing Service Providers

Travel characteristics of Indians

1. E-travel agencies: The new paradigm
These are definitely exciting times for India and rightfully so since our economy is doing well with strong signs of growth in all key sectors. Inflation has been under control, the bank lending rates have steadily come down and consumers are spending more money. India’s middle class with approximately US$ 420 billion to spend is being positioned as the key trigger of the current consumption boom. More so with the current population growth rate, by 2009 India will have over 400 million middle-class households, translating into greater purchasing power.

In this context, the dynamics of the new age Indian traveller are changing quite rapidly, let me quickly share a few interesting statistics here. Firstly, more Indians are flying than ever before, in 2006, over 7.5 million Indians travelled abroad and 27 million made domestic trips. This implies an increased outlay on air travel both for leisure as well as business. More so with rapidly falling ticket rates and air travel becoming extremely affordable, the breadth of travellers now opting for air travel is escalating. The Low Cost Carrier (LCC) boom has largely been the catalyst for this development.

Secondly, the new age traveller is now looking increasingly at an online option for planning their travel. The ease-of-use and convenience associated with finding all the vital information that one needs for planning a holiday at the click of a button, has promoted the surge in online travel portals as well as direct selling by websites of airlines. By 2008, it is estimated that online travel agencies will account for nearly 12 per cent of the total bookings. Also, with electronic ticketing being the order of the day, passengers are getting accustomed to experience the joy and ease of paperless travel and getting their tickets delivered via e-mail as opposed to chasing the travel agent as was the case in the traditional offline scenario. The integration of technology in the ticketing experience is also particularly suited for the business traveller who wants to reduce the time involved in the ticketing process as well as avoid delays associated with loss of tickets. And now, with web check-in facility, the overall usability of the Internet in the travel process will only increase multi-fold.

According to a new report from Jupiter Research, US Travel Forecast: 2006-2011, online travel revenues will reach US$128 billion in the US in 2011 with nearly 38 per cent of all travel being booked online. In India too the growth is expected to be impressive, almost US$2 billion by 2008 with the rapid growing PC penetration and Internet access, as well as proliferation of online travel agencies being the key growth catalysts. However, a key lacuna here will be the rate of credit card usability for e-commerce and making online ticket purchases. Of the 1 billion people in India only 17 million have a credit card of which only 60 per cent or 10 million are active users. More so, a large majority of credit card holders are scared to use the card online because of the fear of card being misused at some later date. They are also not that comfortable furnishing their card details or credit history online. Therefore this category is relatively small at this point in time and would require a change in the consumer mindset for e-commerce to actually take off. The other factors that will spur online spending and a greater consumer wallet share will be the availability of relevant content and increasingly sophisticated online travel products. This implies that travel companies have to increasingly leverage technology to distribute their products using customised and personalised communications that users expect today on any mobile device and in whatever mode they choose. Furthermore, technology has to be woven-in to drive every aspect of the travel industry – from online marketing to e-business, foreign currency transactions to fraud prevention, virtual tours to interactive maps.

Online travel options hold tremendous promise for redefining the traditional travel experience and empowering travellers to make more informed decisions and plan their travel better. For India, particularly, this segment will only grow further over the next few years as online B2C transactions become more pervasive and travellers increasingly leverage technology in their everyday lives.

March 2007
Source: Expresstravelworld( ETW)

Investment related

Travel and Tourism Support Industries …and much more

Service Providers

1. BTI Sita re-brands itself as HRG Sita India
Kuoni Travel Group, India has re-branded its business travel division from BTI Sita to HRG Sita India, a 100 per cent owned brand of Kuoni Travel Group, India. David Radcliffe, CEO of Hogg Robinson Group plc, said, “India is an important market for HRG and by cementing our existing relationship with Kuoni Travel Group to form HRG Sita India, we are providing an additional value and stable service to our clients. HRG Sita India is committed to delivering superior levels of service and developing its business in line with clients needs, qualities, which are consistent across the HRG worldwide network. Our aim is to demonstrate real value to our clients corporate travel expenditure.”

Zubin Karkaria, managing director and CEO (India and South Asia) of Kuoni Travel Group, said, “Business travel in India is growing at over 15 per cent per annum and corporates today are looking for much more than mere vanilla solutions to their travel needs. They see service providers going beyond, by reducing costs, increasing efficiencies and making a critical difference to their business. This is where Kuoni will step in with HRG Sita India - by offering solutions that enhance value through innovation, technology and commitment to excellence.” He added, “The Kuoni Group has made significant inroads in the integrated travel services business in India and has cemented its leadership position in the country through strategic alliances, investment in talent and technology and a continuous focus on building excellence.”

Commenting on the tie-up, Malvinder Rikhy, senior vice president and country head, HRG Sita said, “We are completely in sync with customer deliverables, service value enhancements, employee satisfaction levels and economic goals. This makes us extremely excited about the prospect of increasing our portfolio to meet the dynamic challenges of the corporate travel scenario through a range of new proucts and services.”

March 2007
Source: Expresstravelworld( ETW)

2. Tourism Australia to open dedicated office in India
The rapid growth in the Indian outbound market has prompted Tourism Australia (TA) to open an office in India to take advantage of increasing tourism opportunities. The office will be set up sometime this year and most likely in Mumbai. TA’s regional manager for South/South East Asia & Gulf Countries, Maggie White, said, “The decision to set up an office follows strong tourism marketing activity and trade representation already taking place in the in the Indian market. A dedicated office will ensure that continuing marketing efforts will capture a larger segment of Indian consumers.”

In 2005-06 visitors to Australia from India were 78,900, a growth of 33 per cent over 2004-05. According to TA’s projections the Indian market is expected to reach 5,50,000 tourists by 2025, with a value of more US$ 2 billion. The commitment to open a TA office in India was part of the National Tourism Emerging Markets Strategy: China and India released last month by the Australian tourism minister, Fran Bailey.

“The new office will allow TA to build on existing marketing and public relations activities, and will support the roll out of the, ‘So Where the Bloody Hell Are You? ’ campaign, which was launched on Indian TV last month,” stated White. She added, “Currently, we are also targeting the growing honeymoon market using Shaadi.com, India’s most successful matrimonial service. The month long campaign is using banners, newsletters and an interactive micro site to showcase Australia as an ideal honeymoon destination to over seven million registered members.”

According to White, a range of innovative marketing programs and PR activities in India led by TA will help capture key segments of the market. “Through our Aussie Specialist programme, 487 registered agents from 135 travel agencies are selling Australian holidays to Indian consumers with their detailed knowledge of Australia and the fabulous experiences we have to offer. The programme also provides a vehicle for Australian industry to access the retail network.

The support from the Australian and Indian tourism industries for continued development of the Indian market has been stronger than ever. In September 2006 we saw the largest ever-Indian Travel Mission, with 48 Australian sellers and 114 Indian travel buyers taking part,” informed White. She further stated, “As India grows and opens up economically, more companies are finding incentive trips are a good way to reward and educate staff. Australia is high on the incentive list, being seen as an ideal and rewarding destination.”

March 2007
Source: Expresstravelworld( ETW)

3. Cosmos, Globus launch India's first Europe certification for agents
Cosmos and Globus have started a unique `I Know Europe’ certification programme in India, which brings selling all of Europe under one umbrella. Currently this training programme is being held only in Mumbai and Delhi. ‘I know Europe’ comprises 18 study modules and the programme is carried out in an interactive style with live presentations by participating partners including tourism boards of Austria, Britain, France, Ireland, Italy, Switzerland, Rail Europe and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. The ‘I know Europe certificate is endorsed by all of them. In addition, Cosmos and Globus teams also cover regions such as Russia, Eastern Europe, Greece and Turkey, Baltic States, Scandinavia, etc in the training programme. There is also a session on ‘Counter Selling Skills’ that is conducted by a prominent industry leader specialising in travel trade training.

Raghuvinder Singh, director of D Pauls Travel & Tours, said, “This is the first time that while getting the opportunity to be trained in 20 countries on a single platform, the certification also aims at selling Europe as a region and not only as distinct destinations. For agencies looking at exploring the European outbound market, the tools and information being imparted in this programme will provide any staff with the requisite knowledge to be able to sell it effectively.”

Gauri Jayaram, regional director (India and South Asia), Cosmos, said, “I know Europe is a detailed training aimed at upgrading the knowledge levels of the industry. Selling Europe is a serious challenge given the diversity of the region. There are simply not enough qualified people in our industry today who are confident about Europe and this is going to be a deterrent for travel agents. We think it is in the right spirit for us to take this initiative.” She added, “This is the first year of this initiative and it is very encouraging to receive such a high level of participation from agents. In fact, we have had to close our registrations early due to the sheer number of enquiries we have been getting every day.”

According to Mayur Oberoi, head (Outbound) of Makemytrip.com, such programmes are imperative in educating staff on destination knowledge. “I feel that such training should be carried out on a regular basis.” Echoing similar sentiments, Meher Framjee, head (Product and Marketing), Travel Corporation India, said, “It is wonderful to see companies like Globus and Cosmos taking such an initiative, moving beyond being brand ambassadors of their own products to provide a knowledge base, which enhances the standards of the travel industry.” Globus and Cosmos with their expanded European portfolio together offer close to 200 vacations to Europe and comprise the worlds largest escorted tour company

March 2007
Source: Expresstravelworld( ETW)

4. Travel lifestyle channel Voyages launches in India
What you see is what you get! That is the motto of Voyages Television. The travel lifestyle channel which has been running a test signal for a little over a year has officially launched in the country

The free to air channel looks to use television from a retail perspective. The channel aims to entertain viewers about holiday destinations both in India and globally and also inform them about choices available

A viewer can call the channel's call center after seeing a package that is promising. Voyages Television is a JV between the international channel Television Voyages which operates in Germany, Taiwan and Hong Kong and a group of NRI investors.

Voyages TV CEO Achal Mehra says that the channel at the moment is present in four million homes. The aim is touch seven million in the first year of operations. "Our aim is to find the relevant viewer.

There is no point in someone seeing our channel if he/she cannot afford to book for a holiday. We have focussed our distribution in Mumbai and Delhi as these are the two biggest markets. We look to offer a 360-degree approach through our tie up with SOTC. They look after the clients needs once a transaction has been made. We are hoping to get 100,000 calls this year."

Mehra says that the content on the show is entirely local. "That is what separates us from other lifestyle channels. Our hosts include Maria Goretti, Sameer Malhotra, Christine Zedek and Anchal Saxena. We have a mix of content. There are half hour shows that take an in-depth look at a destination. Viewers will see what they can expect if they go on a trip. We also have vignette formats. This gives viewers the lowdown on special deals.

Consumer research indicates that the purchase of a holiday package for a family represents a high involvement and a high risk proposition. An expensive purchase has till now been often made ion imperfect information.

We fill that vaccum by providing consumers with every detail they could require while planning a holiday. We don't have any competition in the television space in terms of offering transactional opportunities."

15 per cent of the content focuses on group tours. The remainder focusses on individual travellers and how trips can be customised. The aim of the channel is not to just sell a place but ensure that the viewer understands the benefits of making the trip. For instance facilities for kids are often mentioned as a husband and wife might want time on their own. "Our aim is to be a travel guide and a friend. We also have thematic blocks. X 25 is our adventure sport brand.

Family Gateways looks at the best destinations for families. Nirvana is a spa series. Hillscapes is another block looking at hill stations. While our main target is SEC A we would also hope to rope in SEC B as well. We have different packages for different budgets. We also look at a best of block like the best destinations for below Rs. 25,000." He adds that most tourists who call want to go to Goa and Thailand. The interest in Europe is also on the up. This month around 20 per cent of the calls concerned European destinations. Thailand accounts for 33 per cent of revenue. The firm will include the US in a few months time.

So far the channel has already received 20,000 calls.

He however declined to mention how many turned into actual transactions. He says that the channel focuses more on popular destinations as opposed to aspirational ones as the number of people who would want to visit the latter is limited. The channel is looking at a three-year break-even period. The channel is also looking to let viewers know about destinations that hold promise like Japan that not many Indians visit. He also says that the channel did not do anything for the ongoing cricket World Cup as it is expensive. It costs around Rs. 350,000 for the air tickets, match tickets and accommodation. It is also a major headache to reach the West Indies as one has to first land in either the UK or the US.

In terms of advertising Mehra says that tourist boards are already advertising. The channel is putting its ad sales plan into action and will also get on board up market lifestyle brands. He also notes that interest in tourism in the small towns is picking up which bodes well. The channel in a few months time will allow viewers to book tickets on its site.

Thursday, 15 March 2007
Source: Indiantelevision.com