Most of the top hotels in the popular resort towns of Himachal Pradesh are already fully booked by holiday makers for Christmas this year due to extended holidays this weekend.
"The high-end hotels are offering Christmas and New Year packages and many of them are already sold out," said a leading travel agent Nitin Chauhan.
While five-star hotels are offering Rs 50,000 packages for three nights, the budget hotels are offering Rs 6,000 packages for couples.
"There will always be scope for walk-in customers as some hotels do not accept advance bookings, particularly the budget hotels," Chauhan told Business Standard.
"More holiday makers might visit the state for Christmas instead of New year as the latter falls on a Thursday this time," he said.
Bulk of the tourists will visit Shimla and Manali as they have most of the hotels in the state.
The Shimla police is opening up parking lots in the prohibited and restricted roads due to the heavy traffic volume for Christmas and New Years. Those looking for quieter environs are headed for Kasauli, Barog, Chail, Kufri, Kullu, Dharamsala and Dalhousie.
SOURCE:
Business Standard
Date - 22 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi and Shimla
Thursday, December 24, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Travel Industry sees Spurt in Traffic during Christmas, New Year
What are your plans for Christmas and New Year this year? Will you be joining the growing number of people who ate taking advantage of the fact that the prices of travel packages for international destinations are either lower or at the same level as last year? Or that a number of new destinations are being promoted for Christmas and New Year, both of which incidentally fall on weekends?
According to Mr J.B. Singh, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Galileo India, there is likely to be a "spurt of 6-8 per cent" in traffic in December this year over the previous year. Industry analysts estimate that there has been a 10-15 per cent increase in the number of people seeking international holiday packages during this year's Christmas and New Year Breaks.
"Outbound is seeing a big change with people going beyond traditional choices like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to more exotic locations including Hua Hin in Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan and Cambodia," Mr Singh adds.
Another package, in the premium luxury range, that seems to be catching the fancy of the Indian market is winter cruises in the Antarctica and South America, Director - Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group, Ms Richa Goyal Sikri, says. Adds the Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1.com, Ms Neelu Singh, "Apart from traditional tourist destinations like Dubai, Colombo and Malaysia, Cyprus is catching the interest of the Indian traveller." And then there are also the usual destinations with a few more attractions thrown in says Ms Sikri, "There are some really attractive holiday packages available to places like Hong Kong. Now a person can spend two nights and three days in Hong Kong with a tour to Disneyland for Rs 24,000." Analysts also point out that this spurt in traffic could be because of families that have not taken breaks during the year are now taking advantage of Christmas and New Year Vacations falling on weekends.
Besides, according to the Chief Operating Officer, Outbound Division Kuoni India, Ms Kashmira Commissariat, families going on holidays over long weekends is becoming a trend amongst Indians.
Source:
The Hindu Business Line
December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
According to Mr J.B. Singh, the President and Chief Executive Officer, Galileo India, there is likely to be a "spurt of 6-8 per cent" in traffic in December this year over the previous year. Industry analysts estimate that there has been a 10-15 per cent increase in the number of people seeking international holiday packages during this year's Christmas and New Year Breaks.
"Outbound is seeing a big change with people going beyond traditional choices like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur to more exotic locations including Hua Hin in Thailand, Vietnam, Bhutan and Cambodia," Mr Singh adds.
Another package, in the premium luxury range, that seems to be catching the fancy of the Indian market is winter cruises in the Antarctica and South America, Director - Group Business Development, STIC Travel Group, Ms Richa Goyal Sikri, says. Adds the Chief Operating Officer, Ezeego1.com, Ms Neelu Singh, "Apart from traditional tourist destinations like Dubai, Colombo and Malaysia, Cyprus is catching the interest of the Indian traveller." And then there are also the usual destinations with a few more attractions thrown in says Ms Sikri, "There are some really attractive holiday packages available to places like Hong Kong. Now a person can spend two nights and three days in Hong Kong with a tour to Disneyland for Rs 24,000." Analysts also point out that this spurt in traffic could be because of families that have not taken breaks during the year are now taking advantage of Christmas and New Year Vacations falling on weekends.
Besides, according to the Chief Operating Officer, Outbound Division Kuoni India, Ms Kashmira Commissariat, families going on holidays over long weekends is becoming a trend amongst Indians.
Source:
The Hindu Business Line
December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Friday, December 11, 2009
Now Dubai Travel Packages get Cheaper
Your holiday in Dubai just got a little cheaper. Thanks to Dubai World's crash, travel portals and agencies like MakeMyTrip, Yatra, Cleartrip and SOTC are offering packages at prices almost 40 per cent lower than a week or two ago.
"There will be some impact on outbound travels. Travel will become more affordable. With hotel occupancies dropping, less frequent business travelers, it's the leisure travelers that will have to be lured," said Tarique Khatri, VP - Business Development, Cleartrip.com.
For instance, MakeMyTrip.com charged between Rs 38,000-40,000 per person till early December for three nights and four days, including air tickets, visa, hotel accommodation and sight-seeing. This is now down to Rs 25,000-28,000 in a few days. Yatra is running a 25 per cent cash-back scheme on a companion travel for Dubai. SOTC, too, has brought its price down to Rs 13,800 per head for three nights and four days, from around Rs 15,000 a week earlier.
Travel agencies are happy, since these packages have got a positive response. "We can safely say that bookings have increased by 10 per cent with the new price offering. With the discounts we have managed to get from hotels and airlines, we are passing it on to customers," says Kashmira Commisariat, COO-Outbound Division, SOTC.
This has been possible because agencies are all negotiating harder with airlines to reduce air fare, say sources. Most of these portals have managed to get a 10-15 per cent price cut on airfare and 30-35 per cent cut in hotel accommodations, and so on. "By mid-December, we will witness prices coming down by almost 20 per cent," said Anand Kandadai, VP - Outbound Tours for MakeMyTrip.
Travel agencies are doing all it takes to lure leisure travellers, who made up for 10-15 per cent of all travellers. According to industry experts, over 70 per cent of the airline travels came from employment traffic to Dubai and another 10-15 per cent from business travellers. "With business and labour travel reducing, airlines are feeling the pressure. However, now the focus is shifting on to leisure class," said Ashish Kishore, Business Head at Yatra Online.
As for airlines, "There will be more clarity in the days to come. Airlines have been feeling the pressure since a year now. On an average, revenues during April to September this year have dropped by almost 25-30 per cent. Passenger traffic, too, has reduced by 20 per cent," said Pran Dasan, Manager - Marketing & Sales, Indian Subcontinent, Kuwait Airways.
Sources say airlines are considering reducing airfare by 15-20 per cent. "As of now, there is no immediate effect. However, in a month we may have to re-look at capacity and pricing," added a source from Jet Airways.
SOURCE:
Business Standard
December 2009
Edition - New Delhi and Mumbai
"There will be some impact on outbound travels. Travel will become more affordable. With hotel occupancies dropping, less frequent business travelers, it's the leisure travelers that will have to be lured," said Tarique Khatri, VP - Business Development, Cleartrip.com.
For instance, MakeMyTrip.com charged between Rs 38,000-40,000 per person till early December for three nights and four days, including air tickets, visa, hotel accommodation and sight-seeing. This is now down to Rs 25,000-28,000 in a few days. Yatra is running a 25 per cent cash-back scheme on a companion travel for Dubai. SOTC, too, has brought its price down to Rs 13,800 per head for three nights and four days, from around Rs 15,000 a week earlier.
Travel agencies are happy, since these packages have got a positive response. "We can safely say that bookings have increased by 10 per cent with the new price offering. With the discounts we have managed to get from hotels and airlines, we are passing it on to customers," says Kashmira Commisariat, COO-Outbound Division, SOTC.
This has been possible because agencies are all negotiating harder with airlines to reduce air fare, say sources. Most of these portals have managed to get a 10-15 per cent price cut on airfare and 30-35 per cent cut in hotel accommodations, and so on. "By mid-December, we will witness prices coming down by almost 20 per cent," said Anand Kandadai, VP - Outbound Tours for MakeMyTrip.
Travel agencies are doing all it takes to lure leisure travellers, who made up for 10-15 per cent of all travellers. According to industry experts, over 70 per cent of the airline travels came from employment traffic to Dubai and another 10-15 per cent from business travellers. "With business and labour travel reducing, airlines are feeling the pressure. However, now the focus is shifting on to leisure class," said Ashish Kishore, Business Head at Yatra Online.
As for airlines, "There will be more clarity in the days to come. Airlines have been feeling the pressure since a year now. On an average, revenues during April to September this year have dropped by almost 25-30 per cent. Passenger traffic, too, has reduced by 20 per cent," said Pran Dasan, Manager - Marketing & Sales, Indian Subcontinent, Kuwait Airways.
Sources say airlines are considering reducing airfare by 15-20 per cent. "As of now, there is no immediate effect. However, in a month we may have to re-look at capacity and pricing," added a source from Jet Airways.
SOURCE:
Business Standard
December 2009
Edition - New Delhi and Mumbai
Monday, December 7, 2009
Kochi opens its account as the First Cruise Port
Have you always dreamt of a holiday where you get to cruise but the add-on expenditure of flying to the nearest ports in Singapore, Hong Kong or Malaysia has you thinking? There is good news. Kochi has become the first port in India to start international cruise holidays to destinations in Sri Lanka and Maldives. Louise Cruises luxury liner Aquamarine MV set off on its maiden voyage to Male in The Maldives last week.
According to the Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of Louis Cruise Lines, the fifth largest cruise operator in the world, there will be three sailings in a week: Kochi - Maldives (four days, three nights), Kochi - Colombo (four days, three nights) and Kochi High Seas (one night). The season for the first year will last till April 25. The second season will start in October 2010.
With 670 passengers and 350 crew on board, Aquamarine has many things to offer vacationers like enjoying a game of cricket on the deck, rejuvenating in the Swedish spa or splurging at the duty free shops on board. The ship also has two bowling machines and a cricket pitch for cricket enthusiasts. Apart from this, there are also three restaurants with a seating capacity ranging from 300 to 600 and a lounge with capacity of 600.
The ship will reach India from Colombo in 20 hours and from the Maldives in 24 hours. The cruise liner is selling its packages through a number of agents. There are two types of cruise packages - a one night option or a three night stay for which the price ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000 per night per person.
The announcement has been enthusiastically received by the Indian travel industry who have been waiting for long to explore India's 7,000 km long coastline and strong port positioning.
Many even think that it is just a matter of time before a barrage of international cruise liners set their eyes over India. India's proximity to already popular cruise destinations in Southeast Asia just adds to its possibility of becoming a cruising hub shortly. Not that the footloose vacationers back home are complaining for they are always known to be looking for different options.
SOURCE:
Mail Today
Date - 6 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
According to the Louis Cruises India, a subsidiary of Louis Cruise Lines, the fifth largest cruise operator in the world, there will be three sailings in a week: Kochi - Maldives (four days, three nights), Kochi - Colombo (four days, three nights) and Kochi High Seas (one night). The season for the first year will last till April 25. The second season will start in October 2010.
With 670 passengers and 350 crew on board, Aquamarine has many things to offer vacationers like enjoying a game of cricket on the deck, rejuvenating in the Swedish spa or splurging at the duty free shops on board. The ship also has two bowling machines and a cricket pitch for cricket enthusiasts. Apart from this, there are also three restaurants with a seating capacity ranging from 300 to 600 and a lounge with capacity of 600.
The ship will reach India from Colombo in 20 hours and from the Maldives in 24 hours. The cruise liner is selling its packages through a number of agents. There are two types of cruise packages - a one night option or a three night stay for which the price ranges between Rs 5,000 and Rs 12,000 per night per person.
The announcement has been enthusiastically received by the Indian travel industry who have been waiting for long to explore India's 7,000 km long coastline and strong port positioning.
Many even think that it is just a matter of time before a barrage of international cruise liners set their eyes over India. India's proximity to already popular cruise destinations in Southeast Asia just adds to its possibility of becoming a cruising hub shortly. Not that the footloose vacationers back home are complaining for they are always known to be looking for different options.
SOURCE:
Mail Today
Date - 6 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
West Bengal eyeing Joint Venture to Develop River Tourism
Buoyed by the success of the Ganga river cruise, the first in India along the lines of international standard cruises on the Nile in Egypt and the Irrawady in Burma, the West Bengal Government is inviting joint venture partners to set up a company to give river tourism a fillip.
"We want to put up a Rs 130-200 crore project to develop river tourism in joint venture with a private company," Mr T. V. N. Rao, Managing Director, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, told Business Line. Tenders for this will be floated soon. The Government has also chalked out a plan to invest Rs 50 crore in building infrastructure such as jetties, heritage ghats and accommodation along the navigable stretch of the Ganga in the State, he added.
The immediate impetus for the new strategy is the runaway success of the 15-day, 1200 km voyage from the Sunderbans to Varanasi past the Farakka barrage, launched by Pandaw Cruises India in late September. The cruise operator is the Indian arm of an international cruise company that already operates in Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia. In a season that extends from September to March, it has four fully sold out voyages in India already under its belt, and is overbooked for every Sunderbans-Varanasi cruise, tagged at $5000, scheduled till March 2011.
Mr Raj Singh, Director, Pandaw, said the tourism potential is huge and that the attractions on this trip are virtually unparalleled. "It is a phenomenal trip. The diversity is mind-boggling. Here you have heritage (the route traverses former British, French, Dutch and Portuguese colonies), monuments, culture, natural beauty and wildlife all on the same trip," he said. The success of this venture has spawned plans to launch a second vessel on the stretch next year, he adds, indicating that there may be much merit in going full steam ahead.
SOURCE:
The Hindu Business Line
Date - 5 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
"We want to put up a Rs 130-200 crore project to develop river tourism in joint venture with a private company," Mr T. V. N. Rao, Managing Director, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Ltd, told Business Line. Tenders for this will be floated soon. The Government has also chalked out a plan to invest Rs 50 crore in building infrastructure such as jetties, heritage ghats and accommodation along the navigable stretch of the Ganga in the State, he added.
The immediate impetus for the new strategy is the runaway success of the 15-day, 1200 km voyage from the Sunderbans to Varanasi past the Farakka barrage, launched by Pandaw Cruises India in late September. The cruise operator is the Indian arm of an international cruise company that already operates in Myanmar, Indonesia and Cambodia. In a season that extends from September to March, it has four fully sold out voyages in India already under its belt, and is overbooked for every Sunderbans-Varanasi cruise, tagged at $5000, scheduled till March 2011.
Mr Raj Singh, Director, Pandaw, said the tourism potential is huge and that the attractions on this trip are virtually unparalleled. "It is a phenomenal trip. The diversity is mind-boggling. Here you have heritage (the route traverses former British, French, Dutch and Portuguese colonies), monuments, culture, natural beauty and wildlife all on the same trip," he said. The success of this venture has spawned plans to launch a second vessel on the stretch next year, he adds, indicating that there may be much merit in going full steam ahead.
SOURCE:
The Hindu Business Line
Date - 5 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Friday, December 4, 2009
Dubai Tourism to feel crisis pinch post Festive Season
The impact of the Dubai crisis is expected to cast its spell on tourism fraternity not before January 2010 with airfares and hotel room rates expecting to fall by 10%-15%. However, no significant impact of the crisis will be felt till December since holiday makers have already booked their air travel and hotel accommodation.
Said Rajinder Rai, president, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), "Bookings for the Christmas and New Year Holiday Packages are isolated from the crisis since they were done well in advance (in October). The real impact of the crisis will be felt only by January when we expect prices to drop, making Dubai 20% cheaper than what it is today. Till then, we do not see any significant impact on the leisure and business travel or our business."
The average cost of a holiday in Dubai with airfare for two people works out to around Rs 35,000 for three nights/four days.
Neelu Singh, chief operating officer, Ezeego1.com, said, "With more than 100 flights from at least 10 destinations in India, per week, Dubai seems to be a very attractive place for shoppers, and it is a great weekend getaway. Further, the hotel rates in Dubai have come down as they are receiving fewer tourists from their other source markets. This has helped Indian travellers, as they are now getting attractive deals." She added, "Dubai has shown strong growth in terms of tourist traffic and the tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace. We feel that in the next one year, the meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) business in Dubai will grow by at least 25%."
An email sent to the department of tourism and commerce marketing (DTCM) in Mumbai went unanswered.
However, SP Jain, chairman, Pride Hotels, and president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, said, "There will not be any significant rise in outbound traffic to Dubai due to the expected price crash. Indians, at present, see Dubai more as a business destination other than a tourist spot."
Around 4,93,318 Indian travelers visited Dubai in 2008 as compared to 410,821 in 2007, a growth of 20%. According to DTCM figures, there was an increase of 8.3% in the number of hotel guests in 2008 to Dubai compared with the previous year. The guest nights rose by 9.2% in 2008 to touch 22,421,067. However, the average length of stay went down to 2.98 compared with 7.3 in 2007. The total revenues rose 15.1% with the hotel establishments reporting revenues of AED15,268,545.
Similarly, the number of hotel establishment rooms increased by 17.9% to reach 50,457 in 2008.
SOURCE:
The Financial Express
Date - 4 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Said Rajinder Rai, president, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), "Bookings for the Christmas and New Year Holiday Packages are isolated from the crisis since they were done well in advance (in October). The real impact of the crisis will be felt only by January when we expect prices to drop, making Dubai 20% cheaper than what it is today. Till then, we do not see any significant impact on the leisure and business travel or our business."
The average cost of a holiday in Dubai with airfare for two people works out to around Rs 35,000 for three nights/four days.
Neelu Singh, chief operating officer, Ezeego1.com, said, "With more than 100 flights from at least 10 destinations in India, per week, Dubai seems to be a very attractive place for shoppers, and it is a great weekend getaway. Further, the hotel rates in Dubai have come down as they are receiving fewer tourists from their other source markets. This has helped Indian travellers, as they are now getting attractive deals." She added, "Dubai has shown strong growth in terms of tourist traffic and the tourism industry is growing at a rapid pace. We feel that in the next one year, the meeting, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) business in Dubai will grow by at least 25%."
An email sent to the department of tourism and commerce marketing (DTCM) in Mumbai went unanswered.
However, SP Jain, chairman, Pride Hotels, and president, Hotel and Restaurant Association of Western India, said, "There will not be any significant rise in outbound traffic to Dubai due to the expected price crash. Indians, at present, see Dubai more as a business destination other than a tourist spot."
Around 4,93,318 Indian travelers visited Dubai in 2008 as compared to 410,821 in 2007, a growth of 20%. According to DTCM figures, there was an increase of 8.3% in the number of hotel guests in 2008 to Dubai compared with the previous year. The guest nights rose by 9.2% in 2008 to touch 22,421,067. However, the average length of stay went down to 2.98 compared with 7.3 in 2007. The total revenues rose 15.1% with the hotel establishments reporting revenues of AED15,268,545.
Similarly, the number of hotel establishment rooms increased by 17.9% to reach 50,457 in 2008.
SOURCE:
The Financial Express
Date - 4 December 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Foreign Holidays Back in Season Despite Downturn
Going on holiday is back on the cards again despite the recession, with a global survey showing one in five people plan to travel overseas, even if it's largely within their region. The survey by credit card firm MasterCard asked over 10,600 people in West Asia, Africa and the Asia-Pacific about their travel priorities for the next six months, and the findings are likely to cheer the global travel industry which has had a rough year due to global financial crisis.
Some 20 per cent of respondents said they plan to spend on international travel packages, with Hong Kongers topping the list of people planning holidays abroad, followed by Singaporeans and Saudi Arabians. African respondents were the most keen to travel long haul and go to the US, Canada or European destinations, but for the majority, their top 10 holiday destinations were largely within their own region. Japan, Australia and China were the most popular countries for prospective travellers in the Asia-Pacific, while West Asians were more likely to visit Egypt and the UAE, the survey showed.
Resilience of Industry
Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Asia-Pacific economic adviser for MasterCard Worldwide, said the survey showed the resilience of the travel industry in parts of the world not as badly affected by the global financial crisis as the US and Europe.
The survey involved 24 countries and territories, from Australia to Nigeria. "Although travel patterns have changed moderately, we see that consumers' appetite for travel has held up through the recession," Hedrick-Wong said in a statement.
"The fact that Asia has been the region that has been least affected by the global recession also means that spending on travel by Asian consumers will likely re-bound more strongly in the coming months as well."
Across the 14 markets surveyed in Asia-Pacific, 22 per cent said they were planning a holiday abroad, compared to 20 per cent six months ago. Nearly 60 per cent stated international travel was a priority non-essential, or discretionary, spend.
In West Asia, almost a Quarter were planning trips abroad, down from a third six months ago, but nearly 90 per cent said the strongly believed in spending money on travel. In Africa, some 17 per cent of respondents plan to spend on international air travel, the survey showed, a figure Hedrick-Wong said was likely to rise in the coming years in line with economic growth and rising incomes.
SOURCE:
The Hindu Business Line
Date - 29 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Some 20 per cent of respondents said they plan to spend on international travel packages, with Hong Kongers topping the list of people planning holidays abroad, followed by Singaporeans and Saudi Arabians. African respondents were the most keen to travel long haul and go to the US, Canada or European destinations, but for the majority, their top 10 holiday destinations were largely within their own region. Japan, Australia and China were the most popular countries for prospective travellers in the Asia-Pacific, while West Asians were more likely to visit Egypt and the UAE, the survey showed.
Resilience of Industry
Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, Asia-Pacific economic adviser for MasterCard Worldwide, said the survey showed the resilience of the travel industry in parts of the world not as badly affected by the global financial crisis as the US and Europe.
The survey involved 24 countries and territories, from Australia to Nigeria. "Although travel patterns have changed moderately, we see that consumers' appetite for travel has held up through the recession," Hedrick-Wong said in a statement.
"The fact that Asia has been the region that has been least affected by the global recession also means that spending on travel by Asian consumers will likely re-bound more strongly in the coming months as well."
Across the 14 markets surveyed in Asia-Pacific, 22 per cent said they were planning a holiday abroad, compared to 20 per cent six months ago. Nearly 60 per cent stated international travel was a priority non-essential, or discretionary, spend.
In West Asia, almost a Quarter were planning trips abroad, down from a third six months ago, but nearly 90 per cent said the strongly believed in spending money on travel. In Africa, some 17 per cent of respondents plan to spend on international air travel, the survey showed, a figure Hedrick-Wong said was likely to rise in the coming years in line with economic growth and rising incomes.
SOURCE:
The Hindu Business Line
Date - 29 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Monday, November 30, 2009
Indians Dare to go Rare, Remote and Slow in Global Tourism
The traditional caricature of a boisterous Indian tourist, going through chartered trips equipped with food and snack is giving way to the picture of an adventurer stuck by wanderlust.
Says Vasundhra Sondhi of Outbound Marketing from Delhi, "The concept of slow life tourism is in now. Even in mass destinations such as Thailand, we introduce our clients to remote Buddhist havens, distant spas and resorts."
Essentially, this means that tourism has become a way of unwinding more than ever, superseding interests in sight-seeing or shopping. It also means that destinations become far flung, sometimes as far as Peru or New Zealand. Singapore Airlines has tied up with the New Zealand tourism board to launch a tourism campaign in India.
Thomas Cook's holiday package to South America has suddenly become popular in the past two years, according to the agency's chief operating officer Vishal Suri. "People who have visited South America so far have all travelled extensively in Europe and North America and want to spend a minimum of 10-15 days exploring the mysterious Amazon and the Incas of Machu Picchu now," he said.
The overpowering drive is to explore the unexplored rather than conquer the famous. Yes, the Indian traveller has arrived. According to Christy Rajan of Travel Agents Association of India, the world has recognised it and treats Indian tourists on par with American or European tourists now.
"Indians are not just international job seekers and migrant settlers anymore. They are travellers bringing valuable revenue," he says. "That is why you see countries opening up their Visa policy for Indian tourists along with their Chinese counterparts now."
For instance, Jordan, which opened up its tourism market for Europeans and Americans about 10 years back, has lifted its Visa regulations for Indians only this year. "We had 38,000 Indian visitors last year," says Jordan tourism board consultant Ashish Sharma. "It started with a large influx of religious tourists mainly from south India touring Jordan, Egypt and Israel."
Now, Indian tourists can obtain Visa on arrival, free of cost in Jordan and also Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand. But, some destinations are worth the trouble of a prior Visa. Visa Consultancy Services probably handles the most interesting destinations with Brazil, Turkey and even Uzbekistan on its list. "Uzbekistan and its capital of Tashkent provide a European cosmopolitan environment at Indian costs and so they are popular," its proprietor Vipul C Shah says.
These places are also meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism destinations. Royal Film Commission of Jordan extended this concept to the film shooting industry by offering its deserts for shooting Indian Jones and Lawrence of Arabia movies. Cyprus is yet another tiny country which has been attracting Indian tourists. "Cyprus is the closest European destination for Indian travellers. Being a Mediterranean island destination, its appeal is to families, adventurers, couples alike," says Cox and Kings vice president Ashutosh Mehere.
SOURCE:
Financial Chronicle
Edition - New Delhi
Says Vasundhra Sondhi of Outbound Marketing from Delhi, "The concept of slow life tourism is in now. Even in mass destinations such as Thailand, we introduce our clients to remote Buddhist havens, distant spas and resorts."
Essentially, this means that tourism has become a way of unwinding more than ever, superseding interests in sight-seeing or shopping. It also means that destinations become far flung, sometimes as far as Peru or New Zealand. Singapore Airlines has tied up with the New Zealand tourism board to launch a tourism campaign in India.
Thomas Cook's holiday package to South America has suddenly become popular in the past two years, according to the agency's chief operating officer Vishal Suri. "People who have visited South America so far have all travelled extensively in Europe and North America and want to spend a minimum of 10-15 days exploring the mysterious Amazon and the Incas of Machu Picchu now," he said.
The overpowering drive is to explore the unexplored rather than conquer the famous. Yes, the Indian traveller has arrived. According to Christy Rajan of Travel Agents Association of India, the world has recognised it and treats Indian tourists on par with American or European tourists now.
"Indians are not just international job seekers and migrant settlers anymore. They are travellers bringing valuable revenue," he says. "That is why you see countries opening up their Visa policy for Indian tourists along with their Chinese counterparts now."
For instance, Jordan, which opened up its tourism market for Europeans and Americans about 10 years back, has lifted its Visa regulations for Indians only this year. "We had 38,000 Indian visitors last year," says Jordan tourism board consultant Ashish Sharma. "It started with a large influx of religious tourists mainly from south India touring Jordan, Egypt and Israel."
Now, Indian tourists can obtain Visa on arrival, free of cost in Jordan and also Asian countries such as Sri Lanka and Thailand. But, some destinations are worth the trouble of a prior Visa. Visa Consultancy Services probably handles the most interesting destinations with Brazil, Turkey and even Uzbekistan on its list. "Uzbekistan and its capital of Tashkent provide a European cosmopolitan environment at Indian costs and so they are popular," its proprietor Vipul C Shah says.
These places are also meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourism destinations. Royal Film Commission of Jordan extended this concept to the film shooting industry by offering its deserts for shooting Indian Jones and Lawrence of Arabia movies. Cyprus is yet another tiny country which has been attracting Indian tourists. "Cyprus is the closest European destination for Indian travellers. Being a Mediterranean island destination, its appeal is to families, adventurers, couples alike," says Cox and Kings vice president Ashutosh Mehere.
SOURCE:
Financial Chronicle
Edition - New Delhi
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Big Jump in Indians Travelling Overseas
In a year when India's travel and hospitality business was hit badly by a sharp drop in the number of international tourist arrivals, and even after recession-hit corporate houses cut back on foreign travel by their executives, the number of outbound Indians jumped by a million in 2008-09 to cross the 10-million mark for the first time ever.
Figures released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the number of Indians travelling abroad in 2008-09 (April 1 to March 31) touched 10.8 million, which was up by a million over the 2007-08 figure of 9.8 million. And the global industry body is upbeat that the outbound India story is only going to get rosier.
"The Indian economy wasn't as badly hit by recession as many of the economies elsewhere in the world that are still feeling its effect," said Himmat Anand, cochairman, Ficci tourism committee.
"As a result, India's outbound travel pie is getting bigger and it is evident from the more than 25 countries and cities opening their tourism offices here in the past couple of years." The WTTC report says India now is the third largest outbound travel market in the Asia Pacific region. It also predicts that the world's travel and tourism economy's size will contract by 3.6 per cent this year, but economies such as India, China and Brazil will still be drivers of growth.
Singapore, incidentally, has emerged as the most visited country for Indians travelling abroad, followed by the UAE, UK and the US. Another reason for the dramatic rise in the number of outbound Indian travellers is the drop in airfares and hotel prices worldwide, which has made foreign vacation packages cheaper. "Hotel prices have come down by 25-40 per cent in south-east Asia and Europe, and air connectivity from various Indian cities is up considerably, making it cheaper to travel abroad," said Ashwini Kakkar, executive vice-chairman, Mercury Travels.
"Over the past year, the dollar, too, is almost 10 per cent cheaper, dipping from Rs 51 to Rs 46. For outbound Indians, it’s the best time to travel" he added.
The sense of optimism is also apparent from the pronouncements of tour operators. Cox & Kings (India), according to a spokesperson, is expecting a 10 per cent growth in the number of outbound Indian tourists in 2009-10.
"The cost of travel services around the world dropped as a result of recession, and overseas tour operators passed on the benefits to Indian tourists, resulting in more travellers visiting foreign destinations," the spokesperson said.
"What has kept the market going is the decision by hoteliers overseas to not hike prices even after the start of 'on-season'," added Kakkar. "So for all those who love the idea of travelling abroad on a vacation, the conditions are favourable because of the end of recession and it helps that prices haven't been any better." The message seems to have travelled across the outbound market.
The Figure
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says the number of Indians travelling abroad in 2008-09 (April 1 to March 31) touched 10.8 mn, up by a million over the 2007-08 figure of 9.8 mn.
India is now the third-largest outbound travel market in the Asia Pacific region.
Reason
The drop in airfares and hotel prices worldwide, which has made foreign vacations cheaper for Indians.
Prediction
The size of the world's tourism economy will contract by 3.6% this year, but economies such as India, China and Brazil will still be drivers of growth. Global travel giant Cox & Kings (India) is expecting a 10% growth in the number of outbound Indian tourists in 2009-10.
Most-preferred places
Indians prefer Singapore, followed by the UAE, UK and the US High on travel map.
SOURCE:
Mail Today
Edition - New Delhi
Figures released by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the number of Indians travelling abroad in 2008-09 (April 1 to March 31) touched 10.8 million, which was up by a million over the 2007-08 figure of 9.8 million. And the global industry body is upbeat that the outbound India story is only going to get rosier.
"The Indian economy wasn't as badly hit by recession as many of the economies elsewhere in the world that are still feeling its effect," said Himmat Anand, cochairman, Ficci tourism committee.
"As a result, India's outbound travel pie is getting bigger and it is evident from the more than 25 countries and cities opening their tourism offices here in the past couple of years." The WTTC report says India now is the third largest outbound travel market in the Asia Pacific region. It also predicts that the world's travel and tourism economy's size will contract by 3.6 per cent this year, but economies such as India, China and Brazil will still be drivers of growth.
Singapore, incidentally, has emerged as the most visited country for Indians travelling abroad, followed by the UAE, UK and the US. Another reason for the dramatic rise in the number of outbound Indian travellers is the drop in airfares and hotel prices worldwide, which has made foreign vacation packages cheaper. "Hotel prices have come down by 25-40 per cent in south-east Asia and Europe, and air connectivity from various Indian cities is up considerably, making it cheaper to travel abroad," said Ashwini Kakkar, executive vice-chairman, Mercury Travels.
"Over the past year, the dollar, too, is almost 10 per cent cheaper, dipping from Rs 51 to Rs 46. For outbound Indians, it’s the best time to travel" he added.
The sense of optimism is also apparent from the pronouncements of tour operators. Cox & Kings (India), according to a spokesperson, is expecting a 10 per cent growth in the number of outbound Indian tourists in 2009-10.
"The cost of travel services around the world dropped as a result of recession, and overseas tour operators passed on the benefits to Indian tourists, resulting in more travellers visiting foreign destinations," the spokesperson said.
"What has kept the market going is the decision by hoteliers overseas to not hike prices even after the start of 'on-season'," added Kakkar. "So for all those who love the idea of travelling abroad on a vacation, the conditions are favourable because of the end of recession and it helps that prices haven't been any better." The message seems to have travelled across the outbound market.
The Figure
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) says the number of Indians travelling abroad in 2008-09 (April 1 to March 31) touched 10.8 mn, up by a million over the 2007-08 figure of 9.8 mn.
India is now the third-largest outbound travel market in the Asia Pacific region.
Reason
The drop in airfares and hotel prices worldwide, which has made foreign vacations cheaper for Indians.
Prediction
The size of the world's tourism economy will contract by 3.6% this year, but economies such as India, China and Brazil will still be drivers of growth. Global travel giant Cox & Kings (India) is expecting a 10% growth in the number of outbound Indian tourists in 2009-10.
Most-preferred places
Indians prefer Singapore, followed by the UAE, UK and the US High on travel map.
SOURCE:
Mail Today
Edition - New Delhi
Friday, November 20, 2009
Indian tourists ride the slowdown
One million more go globetrotting in 2008-09. A record 10.8 million Indian tourists went on a globetrotting spree in 2008-09, the worst year of the economic slowdown, as dipping airfares and lower hotel rates made holidays cheaper. This was one million more outbound tourists than the year before.
And the numbers are still rising. "This year (2009-10), we are expecting around 10 per cent growth in the number of outbound Indian tourists," said Ajay Kerkar, executive director, Cox & Kings (India) Ltd, a leading tour operator. He was here to talk about the company’s initial public offer (IPO) of shares.
"The cost of travel services in foreign countries came down due to recession, and overseas tour operators passed on the benefits of low cost to Indian tourists, resulting in more travelers visiting foreign tourist destinations," Kerkar added.
Agrees Manish Sharma, managing director, Akshar Travels, a subsidiary of Ahmedabad-based Shree Akshar International. "The prices of accommodation, local transportation and hospitality services, as well as airfare, have declined in major tourist destinations such as Singapore, Europe and Malaysia, which Indian tourists, especially Gujarati people, took advantage of."
Travel was also boosted by the fact that India was still a growing economy — though the growth rate had slowed — while many large developed countries were actually facing negative growth. "The impact of financial turmoil was relatively lower on India as compared to other destinations," said Sharma.
For Indian tourists, after Singapore, the UAE is the second most popular travel destination, followed by the UK and the US.
Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council says the travel and tourism economy's size will contract by 3.6 per cent in 2009, but emerging economies such as India, China and Brazil are expected to be the main engines of the travel and tourism sector’s growth.
"Generally, hoteliers in tourist destinations hike the prices during peak season. This time, they were forced to keep the rates unchanged due to recession, leading to higher inflow of tourists," added Mahesh Budakiya, managing partner, Shakti Travels, which has been in the travel industry since 1977.
SOURCE: Business Standard
Date - 20 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
And the numbers are still rising. "This year (2009-10), we are expecting around 10 per cent growth in the number of outbound Indian tourists," said Ajay Kerkar, executive director, Cox & Kings (India) Ltd, a leading tour operator. He was here to talk about the company’s initial public offer (IPO) of shares.
"The cost of travel services in foreign countries came down due to recession, and overseas tour operators passed on the benefits of low cost to Indian tourists, resulting in more travelers visiting foreign tourist destinations," Kerkar added.
Agrees Manish Sharma, managing director, Akshar Travels, a subsidiary of Ahmedabad-based Shree Akshar International. "The prices of accommodation, local transportation and hospitality services, as well as airfare, have declined in major tourist destinations such as Singapore, Europe and Malaysia, which Indian tourists, especially Gujarati people, took advantage of."
Travel was also boosted by the fact that India was still a growing economy — though the growth rate had slowed — while many large developed countries were actually facing negative growth. "The impact of financial turmoil was relatively lower on India as compared to other destinations," said Sharma.
For Indian tourists, after Singapore, the UAE is the second most popular travel destination, followed by the UK and the US.
Research by the World Travel & Tourism Council says the travel and tourism economy's size will contract by 3.6 per cent in 2009, but emerging economies such as India, China and Brazil are expected to be the main engines of the travel and tourism sector’s growth.
"Generally, hoteliers in tourist destinations hike the prices during peak season. This time, they were forced to keep the rates unchanged due to recession, leading to higher inflow of tourists," added Mahesh Budakiya, managing partner, Shakti Travels, which has been in the travel industry since 1977.
SOURCE: Business Standard
Date - 20 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
The time's ripe to open your Vacation Wallets for the trip of a lifetime
A YEAR ago, Asheesh Vashishtha, a techie and self- confessed travel addict, gave his wanderlust a rest because he had to take care of a bigger need – that of holding on to his job at a time when the recession tsunami struck the IT industry. But now that recession is well and truly behind us, Vashishtha sees no reason for him to extend his 'staycation'. Now, he is all set to celebrate his fifth anniversary in Hong Kong with his wife, Shruti, who is also his co- worker.
"Last year, we settled for a trip to Mumbai, but I wanted to treat Shruti to something better this year," says the 32 year old techie who has been working with a telecoms MNC in Chandigarh for the past three years. "Also, this is the best time to travel to South East Asia because it's dirt cheap. The cost of our five- night vacation is working out to be Rs 50,000." With job losses becoming a thing of the past, and companies loosening their purse strings and rewarding their staff with incentives, foreign leisure travel is back in fashion. And the ones to benefit the most out of this turnaround are the short- haul getaways in the neighbourhood.
"We expect a 50-70 per cent growth in the outbound sector and most of it will be powered by short-haul destinations," Mayur Oberoi, vice- president, outbound division, MakeMyTrip.com, says.
"Travellers these days want cheaper and easy-to-connect destinations where they don't have to worry about the visa process." Domestic holidays continue to be an expensive option, with air fares and hotel rates heading north again, and this is also driving the resurgence in people's interest in outbound travel. "Our target audience comprises middle class working couples looking out for a weekend break," said Kashmira Commissariat, chief operating officer of the outbound division of Kuoni, a leading tour operator.
"Travelling to Kerala or Rajasthan with a stay in a star category hotel continues to be more expensive than a holiday in Thailand, Malaysia or Dubai." What has set the ball rolling is the fact that hotel prices in Southeast Asia have come down heavily over the past two years and the air connectivity has gone up.
"Hotel prices have dropped by 25-40 per cent in southeast Asian nations," said Oberoi. "A week's trip that was earlier priced at Rs 55,000 is now coming at Rs 40,000 and it includes airfare, food, hotel stay, local travel and taxes." The portal has seen a 30 per cent jump in the bookings for key short-haul destinations like Thailand, Dubai and Singapore.
A big change over the last year is the revival of the family vacation market. "Last year, only honeymooners and those who weren't affected directly by the recession opted for foreign vacations," said Sabina Chopra, cofounder of Yatra. com. "This year our most important segment, that is, families, is back in action. This is good news because they account for as much as 30 per cent of all bookings."
For agencies promoting international destinations, there couldn’t be better news. "It's a win-win situation both for Indian travellers and neighboring countries," said Sunil Puri, representative of the Hong Kong Tourism Board in India. "We gain from increased numbers and travelers get hassle free holidays powered by better connectivity, cheap hotels and visas on arrival." Predictably, neighbouring destinations have sensed an opportunity and are reinventing themselves to lure travellers.
Singapore, for instance, is promoting what it calls Asia’s biggest family destination, Resorts World Sentosa, which is opening early next year. With seven theme parks managed by Universal Studios and deluxe hotels, the resort is being built at an investment of US$ 4.32 billion. Dubai keeps reinventing with shopping festivals.
The brand lure of these shorthaul destinations hasn't dulled the traditional popularity of Europe among the well-travelled Indians. "Destinations like London, Paris and Switzerland have such high brand values that they will never go out of fashion. These are key destinations for honeymooners and backpackers," Commissariat said.
Most of these holiday destinations have shed their ludicrously expensive tag thanks to the recession and are luring the middle-class traveller with attractive deals. The authoritative travel guide, Lonely Planet, has just included London, Iceland and Las Vegas, hitherto seen as expensive, in its best value destinations list for 2010.
"Hotel prices are down by as much as 30 per cent in most of the Europe. This is the best time for Indian to look beyond Asia," said Rajji Rai, president, Travel Agents Association of India.
"We're seeing a high level of interest from our clients in European destinations and this is only bound to increase." Travelling abroad is back in fashion for the middle class, and how!"
Travel tales
The Indian outbound travel market has grown from 3.7 million in 1997 to 9.8 million international departures in 2007. International tourism expenditure by Indians has grown from US$ 1.3 billion in 1997 to US$ 8.2 billion in 2007.
The UN World Tourism Organisation predicts that India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020; the Kuoni Travel Report India 2007 predicts total outbound spending will cross US$ 28 billion in 2020.
According to the Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008, most international travelers from India prefer travelling within Asia: Singapore (24 pc of all Indian respondents), Dubai, Australia and Malaysia (17 pc each) are the most popular destinations among Indians.
SOURCE: MAIL Today
Date - 16 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
"Last year, we settled for a trip to Mumbai, but I wanted to treat Shruti to something better this year," says the 32 year old techie who has been working with a telecoms MNC in Chandigarh for the past three years. "Also, this is the best time to travel to South East Asia because it's dirt cheap. The cost of our five- night vacation is working out to be Rs 50,000." With job losses becoming a thing of the past, and companies loosening their purse strings and rewarding their staff with incentives, foreign leisure travel is back in fashion. And the ones to benefit the most out of this turnaround are the short- haul getaways in the neighbourhood.
"We expect a 50-70 per cent growth in the outbound sector and most of it will be powered by short-haul destinations," Mayur Oberoi, vice- president, outbound division, MakeMyTrip.com, says.
"Travellers these days want cheaper and easy-to-connect destinations where they don't have to worry about the visa process." Domestic holidays continue to be an expensive option, with air fares and hotel rates heading north again, and this is also driving the resurgence in people's interest in outbound travel. "Our target audience comprises middle class working couples looking out for a weekend break," said Kashmira Commissariat, chief operating officer of the outbound division of Kuoni, a leading tour operator.
"Travelling to Kerala or Rajasthan with a stay in a star category hotel continues to be more expensive than a holiday in Thailand, Malaysia or Dubai." What has set the ball rolling is the fact that hotel prices in Southeast Asia have come down heavily over the past two years and the air connectivity has gone up.
"Hotel prices have dropped by 25-40 per cent in southeast Asian nations," said Oberoi. "A week's trip that was earlier priced at Rs 55,000 is now coming at Rs 40,000 and it includes airfare, food, hotel stay, local travel and taxes." The portal has seen a 30 per cent jump in the bookings for key short-haul destinations like Thailand, Dubai and Singapore.
A big change over the last year is the revival of the family vacation market. "Last year, only honeymooners and those who weren't affected directly by the recession opted for foreign vacations," said Sabina Chopra, cofounder of Yatra. com. "This year our most important segment, that is, families, is back in action. This is good news because they account for as much as 30 per cent of all bookings."
For agencies promoting international destinations, there couldn’t be better news. "It's a win-win situation both for Indian travellers and neighboring countries," said Sunil Puri, representative of the Hong Kong Tourism Board in India. "We gain from increased numbers and travelers get hassle free holidays powered by better connectivity, cheap hotels and visas on arrival." Predictably, neighbouring destinations have sensed an opportunity and are reinventing themselves to lure travellers.
Singapore, for instance, is promoting what it calls Asia’s biggest family destination, Resorts World Sentosa, which is opening early next year. With seven theme parks managed by Universal Studios and deluxe hotels, the resort is being built at an investment of US$ 4.32 billion. Dubai keeps reinventing with shopping festivals.
The brand lure of these shorthaul destinations hasn't dulled the traditional popularity of Europe among the well-travelled Indians. "Destinations like London, Paris and Switzerland have such high brand values that they will never go out of fashion. These are key destinations for honeymooners and backpackers," Commissariat said.
Most of these holiday destinations have shed their ludicrously expensive tag thanks to the recession and are luring the middle-class traveller with attractive deals. The authoritative travel guide, Lonely Planet, has just included London, Iceland and Las Vegas, hitherto seen as expensive, in its best value destinations list for 2010.
"Hotel prices are down by as much as 30 per cent in most of the Europe. This is the best time for Indian to look beyond Asia," said Rajji Rai, president, Travel Agents Association of India.
"We're seeing a high level of interest from our clients in European destinations and this is only bound to increase." Travelling abroad is back in fashion for the middle class, and how!"
Travel tales
The Indian outbound travel market has grown from 3.7 million in 1997 to 9.8 million international departures in 2007. International tourism expenditure by Indians has grown from US$ 1.3 billion in 1997 to US$ 8.2 billion in 2007.
The UN World Tourism Organisation predicts that India will account for 50 million outbound tourists by 2020; the Kuoni Travel Report India 2007 predicts total outbound spending will cross US$ 28 billion in 2020.
According to the Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008, most international travelers from India prefer travelling within Asia: Singapore (24 pc of all Indian respondents), Dubai, Australia and Malaysia (17 pc each) are the most popular destinations among Indians.
SOURCE: MAIL Today
Date - 16 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
100 Free Holidays to Cyprus are up for Grabs
With tourist numbers slipping abysmally in most European countries over the past year, many of them are scouting around for new markets like India to make up for their losses. This has meant that European tourism boards are lining up with announcements to lure outbound Indians.
The most recent entry is Cyprus, which has tied up with tour operator Cox & Kings India to flag off a slew of activities to sell itself as a year- round family destination. The operator has announced that 100 free holidays to the Mediterranean nation are up for grabs.
It has also promised to keep coming up with affordable holiday packages aimed at families and honeymooning couples. “It’s a mid- haul destination that has three strong points for the Indian market: moderate climate, pristine beaches and as many as 19 Indian restaurants,” says Ashutosh Mehere of Cox & Kings. “What works best is that there is no recommended time to go for this destination. One can travel throughout the year.” The absence of a direct flight to Cyprus could turn out to be a dampener but for those who are looking for something new, this may be just a small hurdle. Keeping in mind how the market works, the operator has promised to promote Cyprus as a value- formoney destination. “Unlike other European destinations, a family can easily go there for five nights for under Rs 50,000 per person. The sum includes airfare, accommodation, meals and sightseeing,” Mehere says. And if you want more, you can club Cyprus with other popular options in the region, such as Turkey or Egypt.
SOURCE:
Mail Today
Date - 8 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
The most recent entry is Cyprus, which has tied up with tour operator Cox & Kings India to flag off a slew of activities to sell itself as a year- round family destination. The operator has announced that 100 free holidays to the Mediterranean nation are up for grabs.
It has also promised to keep coming up with affordable holiday packages aimed at families and honeymooning couples. “It’s a mid- haul destination that has three strong points for the Indian market: moderate climate, pristine beaches and as many as 19 Indian restaurants,” says Ashutosh Mehere of Cox & Kings. “What works best is that there is no recommended time to go for this destination. One can travel throughout the year.” The absence of a direct flight to Cyprus could turn out to be a dampener but for those who are looking for something new, this may be just a small hurdle. Keeping in mind how the market works, the operator has promised to promote Cyprus as a value- formoney destination. “Unlike other European destinations, a family can easily go there for five nights for under Rs 50,000 per person. The sum includes airfare, accommodation, meals and sightseeing,” Mehere says. And if you want more, you can club Cyprus with other popular options in the region, such as Turkey or Egypt.
SOURCE:
Mail Today
Date - 8 November 2009
Edition - New Delhi
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