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Vol XVII Issue III Pages 40 June 2019 Rs 60
Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P3
India's Premier Travel & Tourism Exhibition
Bangalore 2, 3, 4 Aug 2019
Chennai 9, 10, 11 Aug 2019
Ahmedabad 13, 14, 15 Sep 2019
Delhi 20, 21, 22 Sep 2019
Mumbai 27, 28, 29 Sep 2019
Hyderabad 22,23,24 Nov 2019
Pune 29,30 Nov, Dec 01 2019
Kochi 09, 10, 11 Jan 2020
Vol XVII Issue III Pages 40 June 2019 Rs 60 Kolkata 21, 22, 23 Feb 2020
The World of
Unique
Meeting
Spaces!
Voyager’s World @VoyagersWorld
The year ahead looks promising
I t has been an interesting few
weeks for the travel trade com-
munity. With the close of the sum-
mer vacation season, it’s now time
Our Team
to look forward to regular tour
bookings, but in exotic destinations.
Croatia and Ireland, which played
host to the popular HBO series,
Game of Thrones, is now emerging
Managing Editor as the most sought-after destina-
Rohit Hangal tions for India outbound.
rohit@voyagersworld.in The tourism boards of both these
countries have been engaging with
the Indian travel agents and tour
operators to promote these desti-
Editor nations, which are known for their
Caroline Diana
spectacular scenic spots and spell-
caroline@voyagersworld.in
binding landscapes. Interesting Patel has promised that the Min- lines recently launched its inaugu-
packages in line with the Game of istry will work to fulfill the Prime ral A350 medium-haul aircraft on
Thrones themes is being curated. Minister’s vision of ‘New India’ the Bengaluru to Singapore sector.
Creative Head The popular ones include ‘Winter- by simultaneously investing in This was the first airline to start
Shyam Vishnot fell Trek’ from Dublin, rock forma- strengthening our cultural roots and the A350 services from Bengaluru
shyam@voyagersworld.in tions at the ‘Giant’s Causeway,’ and promoting the Tourism sector. This International Airport. All ten week-
the stunning landscapes of ‘King’s spells glad tidings for travel agents ly scheduled Singapore Airlines
Landing.’ In the Middle East, desti- and tour operators who are focused services will operate on this new
Advertising & Marketing nations like Oman and Dubai have on India inbound. aircraft type, subject to regulatory
Mob: +91 98440 92150 remained all-time favorites among In an effort to rope in high-end approval.
advertising@voyagersworld.in the travel community. Now, with tourists, representatives of Lak- This is also a significant month for
aggressive marketing campaigns, shadweep Tourism Board have travel trade as the 48th SKAL Asia
Saudi Arabia and Bahrain are also been visiting travel agents and tour Congress is scheduled to be held in
Publishers catching up. operators across India. On June 5, Bengaluru from June 27 to June 30.
Surinder Hakhu Back home, Prahlad Singh Patel has the Board hosted a tourism meet This means more ideas and insights
sanjay@voyagersworld.in assumed charge as the Minister of at Pride Hotel in Bangalore. The for the travel trade fraternity.
State (Independent Charge) of Min- primary objective was to promote
Rohit Hangal istry of Tourism, Government of Bangaram Island Resorts, which is
rohit@voyagersworld.in India, in New Delhi. The five-time now open to the public.
MP represents Damoh Lok Sabha Meanwhile, the airline industry is Caroline Diana
Constituency in Madhya Pradesh. betting big on India. Singapore Air- Editor
Pg8 It's open season at
Contents
Bangaram Island
Pg10 Inside A-350
# 245, Amar Jyothi Layout
Domlur, Bangalore - 560 071, India
Ph: +91 - 80 - 4083 4103
Fax: + 91 - 80 - 4083 4101
info@spheretravelmedia.com The world of unique Pg14
www.spheretravelmedia.com meeting spaces
Mashobra
Hideaway Pg30
All Rights Reserved, Copyright 2014. No part of this magazine may be reproducted without the prior written permission from Voyagers’s World
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INDUSTRYBUZZ
Sarovar Hotels expands
presence in Delhi NCR
S arovar Hotels and Resorts has expanded its
presence in Delhi NCR with the signing of
new hotel in Surajkund, Faridabad. This will be
Sarovar’s third hotel in Haryana after Gurugram
and Faridabad. Sarovar Portico, a mid-scale hotel
located in Surajkund-Faridabad is an ideal stay
destination for business travelers. One of the key
attractions of Surajkund is its annual “Surajkund
International Craft Mela” which attracts visitors
from all over India as well as from overseas every
year. Anil Madhok, Executive Chairman, Sarovar
Hilton celebrates ‘100 years of Hospitality’ Hotels Pvt Ltd. says “We are delighted to expand
our business and boundaries further in Delhi NCR.
J oining international celebrations to mark Hilton’s 100 years completion, Hilton Garden Inn, New Delhi/
Saket, organized a unique cyclathon in the city. The passionate team of Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/
Saket took over the city on their bicycles spreading cheers and educating people of green and sustainable
This is our 3rd hotel in the state of Haryana. With
our focus on providing quality accommodation
and services, priced attractively, the hotel will
practices.The cyclathon was flagged off from Hilton Garden Inn New Delhi/ Saket and was led by the GM, ensure a pleasant stay for all our guests travelling
Sujith Herbert. “We at Hilton Garden Inn continue to preserve the environment and make it a hearty place to this region.”
to live for the next 100 years. We strive to work hand in hand with our esteemed guests and team members
to come up with activities and initiatives to protect our environment, through the adoption of sustainable SWISS strikes gold in World
practices that are more circular and beneficial to the planet and people,” he added. Hilton Hotels began
operations in 1919 and this month the hotel chain across the world are celebrating a century of Hilton’s
Travel Awards
hospitality with a series of events. As part of Hilton’s 100-year celebration series, Hilton Garden Inn, Saket,
has already planted 100 saplings. S WISS has earned first place in this year’s World
Travel Awards in the “Europe's Leading Airline -
Economy Class” category. The prestigious annual
Leaders Club unveils new distinctions are based on polls of both travelers
loyalty program and travel industry specialists all over the globe.
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) has earned
L eaders Club, the recently redesigned loyalty program
for The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd, invites travelers
to discover the program’s ‘Insider Experiences.’ These
first place in the 2019 World Travel Awards in
the “Europe's Leading Airline - Economy Class”
category, retaining the title which it won last year.
exclusive offers allow guests to explore a destination
The prestigious annual distinctions are based
through the eyes of a local at Leading Hotels’ portfolio of
over 400 independent, luxury hotels. Curated specifically on polls of both travellers and travel industry
for Leaders Club members by the collection’s dedicated specialists all over the globe. The World Travel
hoteliers, each experience was created to inspire a unique Awards’ assessment criteria include comfort,
perspective on its respective locale. The offers vary from an service quality and the overall travel experience
immersive culinary evening in Cape Town with Cape Grace in all seating classes.
to a private after-hours tour of Sintra’s famed Pena Palace
with Tivoli Palácio de Seteais. In addition to exclusive travel Lufthansa passengers can now
opportunities, Leaders Club enhances stays with benefits book medical travel assistance
such as confirmed pre-arrival upgrades, the chance to
earn free nights with Leaders Club points, first-look access
for new member hotels, special rates, daily continental
breakfast, and more. An annual fee of USD 175 provides
A s the first airline in the world to do so,
Lufthansa has equipped all long–haul air-
craft with the mobile ECG (Electrocardiogram)
entrance to Leaders Club. system CardioSecur. In the case of onboard med-
ical emergencies, the compact, intuitive system
will allow flight attendants without cardiolog-
ical expertise to record an ECG for passengers
and send the test results directly to a medical
hotline on the ground. The system has initially
been tested in 2018 on the A380 fleet and now,
it will be available for medical emergencies on
all long-haul aircraft within the Lufthansa fleet.
“The health of our passengers is very close to
our hearts. Especially when they are feeling un-
well on board, they should know that they are
in good hands with Lufthansa. The results of the
resting ECG conducted directly onboard the air-
craft provide a better basis for deciding whether
it is necessary to divert a plane in order to pro-
vide medical care on the ground in case of med-
ical emergencies,” says Dr. Sven-Karsten Peters, a
cardiologist with the Lufthansa Medical Service,
as he explains the advantages of the system.
OYO Store launched on Airtel
Thanks app
Martabaan opens at Emirates Palace
A bu Dhabi can expect the exceptional when legendary Chef Hemant Oberoi opens his newest restaurant
Martabaan at the Emirates Palace on 12 June 2019. Martabaan is a 'contemporary classic' Indian dining
O YO Hotels & Homes has partnered to launch
OYO Store on Airtel Thanks App. Through
OYO Store Airtel customers can now seamlessly
destination by famed master chef Hemant Oberoi. He is internationally recognized for his innovative approach book quality and affordable accommodations
to Indian cuisine. Deeply embedded in cultural traditions, his innovative recipes have revolutionized the directly out of the Airtel Thanks app. Addition-
Indian culinary world with delights such as Temple Cuisine, Iron Cuisine, and the Naza to name a few. ally, customers can also make online payments
Commenting on the opulent new addition to Emirates Palace's already glamorous offerings, General seamlessly via Airtel Payments Bank. Customers
Manager Martin Cramer says, "It’s a daunting task to find a concept and a chef well suited to our luxurious have the option of making the full payments up-
hotel, but in Hemant Oberoi, we found the right mixture of culinary craftsmanship and showmanship. We front or book the accommodation by paying just
are delighted to offer our guests his fine cuisine served in such a glamorous manner. Martabaan at Emirates Rs 1.00 and pay the remainder later.
Palace is a true marriage forged between India's culinary heritage and Arabian hospitality."
It’s open season at
Bangaram Island
CAROLINE DIANA upmarket and high-spending tourists
to come and explore the island,” he
I n an effort to rope in high-end tour-
ists, representatives of Lakshad-
weep Tourism Board have been vis-
said, adding that the board is planning
to promote the island as a dive desti-
nation.
iting travel agents and tour operators Despite the popularity of the island
across India. On June 5, the Board among the travel community, the lim-
hosted a tourism meet at Pride Hotel ited accommodation that the island
in Bangalore. The primary objective has an occupancy rate of only 70%
was to promote Bangaram Island Re- to 80%. However, preparations are in
sorts, which is now open to the public. full swing to develop new infrastruc-
Although Lakshadweep has been on ture and improve the existing infra-
the bucket list for many, constraints structure.
like connectivity has led to a decrease Emphasizing the need to attract high
in numbers. However, this is about to quality, responsible tourists, AM
change, as the Lakshadweep Tourism Hussain, Assistant Director-Tourism,
Board is on the verge of introducing a Lakshadweep, delivered a detailed
slew of new initiatives that will help presentation on the facilities and the
boost tourism in the island. The board attractions at the island and the strat-
has proposed to add more flights and egy to promote it among discerning
helicopter services. tourists. “The board is working hard to
“We are also looking into sea opera- maintain the island’s original charm.
tions. We are doing everything we can The island is now as it was 20 years
to achieve the numbers we foresee,” ago,” said Hussain.
said Mihir Vardhan, IAS, Secretary - He added that the island is for those
Lakshadweep Tourism. who are looking to get back to nature.
The tourism board, however, has The destination has a lot of beach
made it clear that they wouldn’t let and water sports activities. “There
overtourism ruin the charm of the is- are more eco-friendly cottages, all
land. The board, therefore, is hinging beach-facing. Tourists will get the best
on the concept of ‘high value, low vol- of nature by waking up to the sunrise
ume’ tourism. from their bed every day,” he said.
“It’s a conscious policy not to have In an effort to reach out to more travel
too many people on the island. Our agents and tour operators, Lakshad-
environment is delicate and frag- weep Tourism Board is planning to
ile. We don’t believe in bringing too participate in multi-city travel marts
many tourists and spoiling the place. this year. The Board is also keen on
We believe in regulated and restricted hosting food festivals across major REACHING OUT: Lakshadweep Tourism Board held a tourism meet at Pride
tourism. We are only looking for the cities in India. Hotel in Bangalore on June 5.
FLIGHTTALK Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P10
INSIDE
A 350
Singapore Airlines’ new airbus is a blend of beauty and comfort
VW BUREAU start services on this latest generation that the passengers enjoy a safe flight. the Economy Class cabin has 263 seats
aircraft to Bengaluru. In line with the A visit to the SIA Training Centre shed arranged in a comfortable 3-3-3 config-
O n May 18, Singapore Airlines
launched its inaugural A350 me-
dium haul aircraft on the Bengaluru
company’s commitment to product
and service excellence; the Airbus
A350 medium haul aircraft combined
light on cabin crew training.
Features of A350
uration.
New Business Class
to Singapore sector. This was the first with our award-winning inflight ser- The A350-900 features higher ceilings, The new medium-haul Business Class
airline to start the A350 services from vice will provide Indian travelers larger windows, an extra wide body seats have been manufactured by Stelia
Bengaluru International Airport. The enhanced comfort,” said David Lim, delivering more space and comfort as Aerospace. With each seat able to re-
inaugural service SQ505 departed from General Manager India – Singapore well as lighting designed to reduce jet- cline directly into a 76” fully-flat bed,
Bengaluru International Airport at 0120 Airlines. During a recent fam trip, lag. Fitted with the new regional Busi- customers can rest in more comfort,
hours. Progressively, all ten weekly Singapore Airlines introduced the ness Class and Economy Class cabin even on the shortest flights. Each seat
scheduled Singapore Airlines services Airbus facility to the media. The facil- products, the A350-900 medium haul measures up to 26” in width with re-
will operate on this new aircraft type, ity showcased world-class simulation Business Class cabin has 40 seats in a tractable armrests that can be raised and
subject to regulatory approval. units, mockups, and the intense train- 1-2-1 arrangement that ensures direct lowered. Other features include am-
“Singapore Airlines is delighted to ing that the pilots undergo to ensure aisle access for every customer, while ple stowage space for personal items,Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P11
a business panel with in-seat power vide more neck support. Economy designed with a new user interface that and Business Class customers will also
supply and USB ports, an integrated Class customers can also enjoy an en- offers a more intuitive experience and have access to additional in-flight en-
reading light unit with adjustable light- hanced entertainment experience on navigation options, leaving customers tertainment content choices.
ing intensity and a personal 17” full their personal 11.6” full high-definition with the pleasure of enjoying Singa- In addition, customers will have ac-
high-definition touchscreen monitor. touchscreen monitor. Other features pore Airlines’ myKrisWorld and its cess to high-speed in-flight WiFi ser-
that have been introduced for Economy selection of more than 1,800 movies, vice on the new A350-900s, equipped
New Economy Class Class customers include storage space TV shows, audio programs and games with Inmarsat GX Aviation’s broad-
The new Economy Class seats have for small personal items, a coat hook, with even greater flexibility. Custom- band connectivity system offered
been designed and manufactured by USB port and in-seat power supply. ers can receive personalised content through SITAONAIR.
RECARO and also offer customers an recommendations based on their pref- Singapore Airlines placed orders for a
enhanced in-flight experience. Each In-flight Entertainment erences and viewing history, while total of 67 Airbus A350-900 aircraft,
seat has an ergonomically-designed The A350-900 medium haul aircraft KrisFlyer members can bookmark and 29 of which are already in the fleet in-
contour backrest that provides greater are also fitted with the latest Thales resume content, as well as customise cluding six ultra-long-range variants,
relaxation, and a six-way adjustable AVANT in-flight entertainment system and save preferences and playlists for 21 long-haul variants, and two medi-
headrest with foldable wings to pro- – a first in SIA’s fleet. This has been subsequent flights. KrisFlyer members um-haul variants.
IMAGE CREDIT: CAROLINE DIANAFLIGHTTALK
KLM expands footprint across India
VW BUREAU operated by the Boeing 787-9 will be flown daily. This route will
(Dreamliner) equipment with a also be served by the Boeing 787
K LM Royal Dutch Airlines
is expanding its footprint in
India. The airline will be increas-
seating of 294.
The thrice-weekly connection
from Bengaluru will open up more
Dreamliner.
The flights between Delhi and
Paris Charles de Gaulle and Am-
ing frequency between Mumbai opportunities for travel from India sterdam Schiphol will be operated
and Amsterdam and expanding with easy connections to Europe as usual.
NEW FLIGHT: Effective October 31, KLM will
network with the launch of flight and North America via the conve- This winter alongside the in- launch a thrice-weekly direct service from
operations from Bengaluru to nient hub of Amsterdam Schiphol. creased capacity & frequencies Bengaluru to Amsterdam.
Amsterdam. Bengaluru will be Starting September 2, KLM will of KLM, Air France will increase
Flight schedule
the third Indian city serviced by add one additional frequency be- capacity with enlarged aircraft op-
Flight KL0880 departs from Bengaluru at 02:45
KLM, while Delhi and Mumbai tween Mumbai and Amsterdam. erations from Mumbai and Ban-
hours and arrives at 08:25 hours (local time) Schiphol.
are already being served. This will be the fourth frequency galore to Paris Charles de Gaulle
Flight KL0879 departs from Schiphol at 11:05 hours
Effective October 31, KLM will on this route. This will be fol- with Boeing 777 operations. The
(local time) and arrives the following day at 00:50
launch a thrice-weekly direct lowed by the fifth frequency effec- joint offer from the partners is an
hours in Bengaluru at Kempegowda International
service from Bengaluru to Am- tive September 30. From October increase of 25% over last year
Airport.
sterdam. These flights will be 28, the Mumbai-Amsterdam flight winter.
Slowing demand,
rising costs squeeze
airline profits
VW BUREAU
T he International Air Transport Associa-
tion (IATA) announced a downgrade of
its 2019 outlook for the global air transport
industry to a $28 billion profit (from $35.5
billion forecast in December 2018). That is
also a decline in 2018 net post-tax profits
which IATA estimates at $30 billion.
The business environment for airlines has
deteriorated with rising fuel prices and a
substantial weakening of world trade. In
2019 overall costs are expected to grow by
7.4%, outpacing a 6.5% rise in revenues.
As a result, net margins are expected to
be squeezed to 3.2% (from 3.7% in 2018).
Profit per passenger will similarly decline
to $6.12 (from $6.85 in 2018).
“This year will be the tenth consecutive
year in the black for the airline industry. But
margins are being squeezed by rising costs
right across the board—including labor,
fuel, and infrastructure. Stiff competition
among airlines keeps yields from rising.
The weakening of global trade is likely to
continue as the US-China trade war in-
tensifies. This primarily impacts the cargo
business, but passenger traffic could also
be impacted as tensions rise. Airlines will
still turn a profit this year, but there is no
easy money to be made,” said Alexandre de
Juniac, IATA’s Director General and CEO.
In 2019, the return on invested capital
earned from airlines is expected to be 7.4%
(down from 7.9% in 2018). While this still
exceeds the average cost of capital (esti-
mated at 7.3%), the buffer is extremely thin.
Moreover, the job of spreading financial
resilience throughout the industry is only
half complete with a major gap in profit-
ability between the performance of airlines
in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific
and the performance of those in Africa, Lat-
in America and the Middle East.
“The good news is that airlines have bro-
ken the boom-and-bust cycle. A downturn
in the trading environment no longer plung-
es the industry into a deep crisis. But under
current circumstances, the great achieve-
ment of the industry—creating value for
investors with normal levels of profitability
is at risk. Airlines will still create value for
investors in 2019 with above cost-of-capital
returns, but only just,” said de Juniac.Mixed predictions for hotels & meeting space Planners expect hotel space availability to be flat going into 2019, making events with short lead-times problematic for planners. Europe is the exception, with planners anticipating a 0.7% increase in space availability for next year. Planners in the Americas and the Asia Pacific report no increase in space availability. Fortunately, the outlook for 2020 is better, with more space availability consistently expected across regions. With this flat availability for 2019, planners anticipate a corresponding increase in group hotel rates. This statistic is highest in North America, at 2.41%, followed by Europe at 1.61%. Planners in the Asia Pacific and Central and South America anticipate increases closer to 1%. Hoteliers offer a different opinion than planners, indicating space availability is not flat in 2019 – it’s actually increasing by an expected 2.2% globally. They do acknowledge rate increases in a range similar to planners – 2.29% higher in 2019 compared to 2018.
Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P14
The World of
Unique
Meeting
Spaces!
ROHIT HANGAL standard offering of banquet halls and arctica with the Penguins, Breakfast Spaces offers a corporate alternative.
hotel meeting spaces has now opened with the Orangutans, Weddings on the Independent Restaurants and Bars:
A s the hospitality world in India
gets enamored by their newfound
love for meeting spaces in India, there
up into a plethora of choices. What
was once called Business Centres in
the earlier century today has gravitat-
turquoise waters and other bewitch-
ing settings, etc. all offer tremendous
niche opportunities and a growing
A concept that is gaining traction es-
pecially among the travel trade lately
in India are experience-driven, does
has now brewed an entire new gam- ed to new catchy nomenclatures such market. not carry the baggage of stuck-up cor-
ut of independent meeting spaces and as Incubation Centres, Work Spaces, porate hotel and is more relaxed. Ide-
mini-convention centers right across Meeting Avenues, etc. The new gener- UNIQUE OPTIONS ally suited for an invitee-driven select
the country. With facilities ranging ation of meeting spaces is surely about WorkSpaces: If you wish to indulge group, it offers the flexibility of space.
from end facilities to the vanilla-fla- flexibility, high technology connec- in a sudden meeting without the hotel You can create your own private zone
vored ones, the discerning consumer tivity, and independent of time struc- fanfare and keep it discreet, multi-lo- or book the entire space for the eve-
is spoilt for choice! The Hotels being tures. The smart flexible setting now cational workspaces such as WeWork, ning. Most times, restaurants and bars
now revenue-management driven and creates opportunities to innovate are Regus, or Rainmakers offer spaces at are happy to offer the entire restaurant
sometimes obsessed with hall rentals now backed by credible psychology. a short notice for you to create meet- on weekdays, where the traffic is rel-
have given alternative meeting venue Venues have moved to malls to jun- ing opportunities. WorkSpaces offers atively low.
market a huge boost. gles to traffic islands, all in the name a cost-effective deal, if you are in the Wild trails: The media in the United
The meeting industry, though grow- of finding the force of Nirvana. The hunt for a continual opportunity. Also, Kingdom seem to have suddenly dis-
ing at a frenetic pace in India, has market for unique meeting spaces, if you want to suddenly create a meet- covered its voice when the London
taken venue-marketing to a level of though on the upswing is still small. ing or a training program in a multi- Zoo now has to defend itself from
complex ideation. What was once a Jungle Safari camps, Meetings in Ant- city operation at short notice, Work- the adverse PR by allowing late-nightVoyager’s World | June 2019 | P15
While there is a growing market for upmarket,
luxurious, boutique meetings,
the market clamors for traditional food offerings
such as vegetarian, vegan and Jain segments.
parties at the zoo. As the media report- trainers and support staff to nurture of the finest luxury cruise liners. them over for life! Well, just some
ed, while one man poured beer on a your team-building objectives. Most The era of customization also brings food for thought!
tiger, while another drunk, removed training packages dwell on basic train- in the unique traits of the growing In- One of the most unique meetings we
his shirt and attempted to enter the ing to take on the physical, mental and dian market. While there is a growing have seen are in the hustle and bustle
Penguin pool! This sounds bizarre, emotional elements of the modern market for upmarket, luxurious, bou- of Mumbai's swarming railway sta-
but there are zoos and private wildlife workspace challenges. Some outfits tique meetings, the market clamors tions, where Pharmaceutical managers
domains around the world, which of- such as Pegasus on the outskirts of for traditional food offerings such as dwell on their morning meetings with
fer meeting experiences to dine with Bangalore has created niche engaging vegetarian, vegan and Jain segments. their sales executives in peak hours to
the orangatans in Bali or crocodiles in team-building activities using survival The Indian luxury market is predom- get their daily updates and briefs. This
South Africa. As someone remarked, school techniques. inantly vegetarian, with over 80% of is one sure way to bypass the notori-
you can have lunch or be one! Not for The options do not end here. Planning the top 500 richest people in the coun- ous Mumbai traffic and distances.
the faint-hearted for sure! a board meeting at Gambling Meccas try, belonging to communities that can The lure to be different has long en-
Military Bootcamps: A modern trend of Las Vegas and Macao to organizing relish, endure and nurture vegetarian- gaged meeting planners and corporate to
to engage boot camps run by former a fun-filled dealer rendezvous on the ism. Remember, meeting a South Af- a virtual nervous breakdown. The world
military personnel has gained traction Ibiza water-front no longer raises eye- rican DMC, who had started working opens to get your creative juices flowing
among companies, looking to target brows. Well, even our well-oiled Swa- with the Indian market, remarking that and indulge in an event that is unique
a team-building experience amid the mis has discovered new occasions and for the first very time, he came across and successful, to meet set objectives.
laid-out obstacle parameters. Almost added to their followers by holding a term called 'Non-Vegetarian'. If ca- Bragging rights sure commands cre-
every major city in India has a camp, their Satsang's and yoga discourses in tering to a South Indian group, don't ativity at most times, ergo, the world of
which is only too happy to support middle of the high seas, aboard some forget to offer Curd Rice, you'll win meetings is simply no different!IMAGE CREDIT: KATERINA KERDI
surge in
sees a MICE travel
VW BUREAU Lubaina Sheerazi, India Representa- tional Airport and more. In alignment makes Oman a preferable wedding
tive, Ministry of Tourism, Oman, said, with the 2040 strategy, the Ministry has destination for Indians.
T he Ministry of Tourism, Oman,
successfully conducted roadshows
in Bangalore, Pune and Mumbai from
“Tourism is on the rise and inbound
arrivals from India has significantly
increased in the last few years. India
taken steps to develop and promote a
broader variety of distinctive experi-
ences, with the goal of encouraging ex-
Oman Air, the national carrier is con-
nected via direct flights with major
Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai,
may27 to June 31, respectively, to represents a substantial and vast market tended visits and greater engagement Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Luc-
strengthen its outreach among the trav- for Oman, given the high percentage of with the country’s culture and natural know, Kozhikode, Kochi, Goa, Jaipur
el trade fraternity in India. In an effort travelers willing to travel abroad and sites. The first quarter of 2019 has seen and Thiruvananthapuram. Besides, Air
to retain the growth momentum of In- experience new destinations. We have some prominent developments with the India, SpiceJet and IndiGo are also
dian arrivals into Oman, the Ministry been observing a steady year-on-year inaugural of luxury boutique hotel W well connected to Oman from various
along with destination management increase in tourist arrivals to Oman Muscat, launch of Middle East’s larg- cities of India.
companies, hotels, attraction operators from India and are extremely pleased est aquarium in the Mall of Muscat and Oman has modern infrastructure along
and Oman Air, the national carrier con- with the consistent growth. While opening of the House of Musical Arts with beautiful communion of old world
nected with over 200 notable travel & Mumbai is one of our primary source in the Royal Opera House Muscat,” charm and modernism. This makes the
tour companies. markets, Bangalore and Pune have added Sheerazi. Sultanate a preferred destination for
shown immense potential as we see a With authentic Arabian experiences travellers looking for a unique expe-
rise in the number of outbound travelers coupled with genuine hospitality, sce- rience. The country’s stunning land-
In 2018, Oman recorded from these cities. They are constantly nic beauty, rich culture, historic monu- scape appeals to every kind of holiday
12.37% growth in Indian on the lookout for unique destinations ments and a beautiful coastline, Oman seeker: from families looking for group
and Oman fits the bill perfectly.” is seeing a surge in MICE travel. Being joint activities, to a perfect honeymoon
tourist arrivals with In 2018, Oman recorded 12.37% under 3 hours away from India and getaway or a group of friends in quest
357,147 travelers visiting growth in Indian tourist arrivals with having excellent air connectivity also for an adventure of a lifetime.
the country vis-à-vis 357,147 travelers visiting the country
vis-à-vis 317,844 in 2017 ranking In-
317,844 in 2017 ranking dia as the second highest source market
India as the second for Oman. Keeping up with this growth
highest source market trajectory, Oman has already witnessed
a 17% increase in the period of January
for Oman. to April 2019 with 130,011 Indian visi-
tors to Oman in comparison to 111,123
The interactive platform with pre- during the same period in 2018.
fixed meetings allowed trade partners “Several initiatives have contributed
and travel agents to network and learn to this growth, such as the introduc-
more about the diverse product offer- tion of short-term visa and electronic
ings and experiences that Oman has visa, direct flight connectivity from
to offer. The roadshows were well various cities in India, newly launched INDIA INITIATIVE: To strengthen its outreach among the travel trade fraternity
attended and received a remarkable 5 Star properties, opening of the new in India, the Ministry of Tourism, Oman, conducted roadshows in Bangalore,
response in each city. passenger terminal at Muscat Interna- Pune and MumbaiVoyager’s World | June 2019 | P18
IMAGE CREDIT: ANNIE SPRATT
Why
is the Indian favorite
VW BUREAU key Indian ports and two new LCC’s For instance, corporates will be able
Indigo and SpiceJet flying from Delhi to plan seamless travel in Greater Bay
In 2018, 50% of overnight
H ong Kong had registered a growth
of 7.3% from India. Close to visitor arrivals were from
and Bengaluru, we are positive about
increase in market share this year. All
Area with the two new super-infra-
structures -- Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Ma-
83,000 Indian visitors arrived into the young mid-career these initiatives will make Hong Kong cao Bridge and the High-speed Rail
Hong Kong in Q1 2019. While Delhi, super attractive all-year-round holiday Link (HK section), significantly cut-
Mumbai and Bengaluru continue top
segment and Hong Kong destination among Indians”. ting the travelling time from Zhuhai to
three source markets; there is a grow- also saw growth in family Hong Kong Tourism Board has also Hong Kong from 4 hours to 45 minutes
ing demand from Ahmedabad, Cochin segment that contributed witnessed growth in the fly-cruise seg- and directly link Hong Kong to 44 cit-
and Pune. In 2018, 50% of overnight ment from India. Through various offers ies in Mainland China, respectively.
visitor arrivals were from the young
close of 34% of overnight and new products like Genting World In addition, Hong Kong also amped up
mid-career segment and Hong Kong visitor arrivals from India Dream Cruises and other cruise expe- with many new products and experi-
also saw growth in family segment that with an average length of riences with Voyagers of the Seas and ences for inspiring MICE experiences.
contributed close of 34% of overnight Spectrum of the Seas by Royal Carib-
visitor arrivals from India with an aver-
stay of 4 nights. bean International, HKTB aims at stim- Inspire with local heritage
age length of stay of 4 nights. ulating demand for cruising from India. Hong Kong has many new inspiring lo-
Puneet Kumar, Director, Market Devel- great outdoors, vibrant dining and Incentive group travel from India is cal heritage that offer many rewarding
opment (India) at Hong Kong Tourism nightlife scene, action packed global another high growth segment. In 2019, MICE experiences, from having cock-
Board, “We want Hong Kong to stay events and cruising from Hong Kong Hong Kong sets off to a new MICE tails behind bars at Tai Kwun, a former
on top of mind among Indian travellers along with iconic sights and sound of tourism era and will be highlighting a police compound over 170 years old,
and we want to continue building their top attractions.” world of opportunities for MICE plan- cultural retail therapy at the Mills, a
affinity towards Hong Kong. In 2019, He further added, “We have lined up ners through the city’s latest product revitalized iconic textiles factory, to
our focus is to efficiently communicate multiple-phased promotional cam- offerings, enhanced connectivity and dim-sum sampling while enjoying the
and engage with the young affluent paigns in partnership with leading new experiences and new MICE privi- rich heritage of Cantonese opera at the
Indian travellers to bring alive Hong media, trade and non-trade partners to leges of the Hong Kong Rewards! Pro- Tea House of Xiqu Centre, part of the
Kong’s core experiences such as living engage with leisure, cruise and MICE gramme, all designed to entice incen- West Kowloon Cultural District Devel-
culture and festivals, rejuvenated local segment. With improved air connec- tive planners for choosing Hong Kong opment, a new vibrant cultural quarter
neighborhoods, soft adventure in green tivity on Cathay Pacific from all 6 as their next destination. in the heart of Hong Kong.Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P20
the need
FOR SINGLE
IMAGE CREDIT: HELLO LIGHTBULB / UNSPLASH
OB T S
VW BUREAU currently lower than 10 percent. This porate travel, resulting in lower rates el-related needs, 90 percent of travel
indicates that, despite corporate poli- of compliance. Thirty-nine percent of managers say optimizing their OBT
A recent global survey by Associ-
ation of Corporate Travel Exec-
utives (ACTE) has found that travel
cies, there are still real challenges and
a need for ongoing education when it
comes to user adoption.
travel managers say the primary rea-
son employees aren’t booking through
a company’s OBT is that travelers be-
platform for company policy and
preferred options was moderately to
extremely important.
managers are seeking an integrated lieve they can get a better price and “Travel managers should be wary
booking tool to handle their employ- Education to drive adoption save money elsewhere. of evolving traveler expectations.
ees’ travel needs. Low rates of employee adoption may The booking experience needs to be
The survey, Booking Tools and Tech- Shifting expectations highly flexible and should look and
nologies: One Size Does Not Fit All, Individuals are increasingly using feel like it does when they book per-
posed relevant questions about the Travel managers say highly integrated platforms and tech- sonal travel,” said Fitzgerald Draper,
preferences and behaviours of their nologies for online and mobile shop- Director of Research with ACTE.
employees to assess how they interact
there is a growing need ping, which furthers the expectation “While customization and finding
with their organization’s online book- among businesses to that OBTs should have the same us- the right fit are important facets of
ing tools. The research asked ques- er-friendly functionality. Only 11 per- a company’s OBT selection, users
tions to assess the state of business
create a more efficient cent of respondents state that chat and must also understand the platform’s
travel in 2019, the rise of online book- and streamlined booking instant messaging (IM) channels are value and functionality. Travel man-
ing tools and organizations’ satisfac-
tion with these booking tools and was
process. currently being used to book travel,
but more than a third (35 percent) plan
agers should look for ways to market
the selected tool to their travelers,
carried out with support from Amer- to add them as options for travelers in including all the benefits that come
ican Express Global Business Travel. be due to a lack of internal education the future. This data reflects a desire to with it.”
While 92 percent of travel managers on how to use the tools. Less than half keep pace with consumer retail trends Evan Konwiser, VP of Marketing and
say they have already adopted online (47 percent) of respondents communi- and an opportunity for the industry to Product Strategy, American Express
booking tools, there is a growing need cate regularly with employees about strive to surpass them – something Global Business Travel, said: “Book-
among businesses to create a more their booking tools. Perhaps even travel managers and technology pro- ing through OBTs is a critical part
efficient and streamlined booking pro- more surprisingly, 8 percent of travel viders should consider. of the travel experience and should
cess. About 80 percent of respondents managers surveyed say their organi- Travel managers who are worried be channel agnostic and ubiquitous
say it’s important that all channels are zation has never communicated with about low rates of OBT adoption ex- wherever a traveler wants to be. For
integrated into one platform. employees about booking tools – not pressed concerns about duty of care a travel program to work, companies
A large majority (81 percent) of re- even during the onboarding process. (56 percent), employees booking out- need to implement tools that are in-
spondents say they have a mandate in side of company policy (56 percent) tuitive and delightful to use, while
place requiring travelers to book travel Correcting misinformation and missed opportunities to save mon- deploying a marketing toolkit to re-
through company tools and platforms, Employees might not understand the ey (55 percent). inforce why the program is good for
with 5 percent admitting adoption is true value of using OBTs to book cor- As every business has different trav- them and the business.”flighttalk Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P21
BLR Airport’s main access road to be closed for expansion
VW BUREAU head towards P6 parking to reach the
SAR. Vehicles returning from Arrival
I n two years, your ride to and from
the Kempegowda International
Airport, Bengaluru (KIAB) will be-
Gates, will continue using the exist-
ing route towards SAR.
The MAR is expected to reopen in
come seamless as the Main Access early 2021. To manage increasing
Road (MAR) to the Passenger Ter- cargo traffic, a secondary road lead-
minal will be widened from four ing to the Cargo Terminals will be
lanes to ten (five on each side). Be- widened to four lanes later this year.
ginning June 10, the 1.4-km Main The Trumpet interchange, too be will
Access Road (MAR) will be closed be expanded – from the existing three
for expansion as part of the ongoing to five lanes, on either side – with-
infrastructure development. During out causing any disruptions to traffic
the expansion, traffic will be diverted movement.
towards the new six-lane (three each) Owing to a sharp rise in passenger
South Access Road (SAR), built par- volumes and cargo transportation,
allel to the existing MAR. vehicular movement at the BLR Air-
Route: Vehicles coming to the Air- port has witnessed a rapid surge. The
port will turn right at the first round- trend will increase as the passenger
about after the Trumpet Interchange, volumes are expected to grow at an
and enter the SAR to reach the Ter- intense pace in the coming years.
minal (refer to the map). Vehicles To cater to this stupendous growth,
heading out of the Airport from the BIAL has invested Rs. 13,000 crore WORK IN PROGRESS: BIAL will undertake a slew of measures to continuously
departure gates, will follow the exist- to construct a Terminal 2, second run- cater to the requirements of growth for the period of development of the
ing exit path from the Terminal and way and other associated projects. new infrastructure.
AirAsia to venture into
tours and activities
VW BUREAU
A irAsia believes it can be stronger
than Klook at selling activities.
The airline aims to tap into its base
of over 100 million customers to sell
in-destination activities and tours.
Aaron Sarma, COO of AirAsia.com
(and founder and CEO of Vidi), will
reveal details of the strategy on stage
at Arival, Asia’s only event dedicated
to tours, activities and attractions, in
Bangkok 26 June.
Arival CEO Douglas Quinby says
that AirAsia has never been timid
about its plans to expand across the
region into new lines of business.
“With several affiliate brands serv-
ing 140 destinations across Asia, the
airline group has made plain its plans
to become a full-service online travel
agency,” notes Quinby.
In the last three years or so, AirAsia
has built up an offering of 15,000 ex-
periences in 80 destinations served by
AirAsia directly. The content comes
both through contracts with operators
and partnerships with online travel
agencies and content aggregators.
AirAsia has not been deterred by
competitor Klook’s ability to raise
over US$500 million in investment.
“Klook has done a great job and has
been very aggressive with pricing and
supply,” says Sarma. “But we have a
key advantage because we have this
huge base of customers already en-
gaged with us — more than 100 mil-
lion travellers every year.”
However, it’s still early days as AirA-
sia builds its tour portfolio. Sarma
says that AirAsia’s focus continues
to be expanding direct supply con-
tracts and partnerships as well as in-
tegrating tours and activities into the
broader AirAsia experience.
Sarma, however, is clear on prior-
ities. “Our mission is to convert as
many of those [AirAsia] customers as
possible.”AMAZINGARUNACHAL Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P22
Bhalukpong: India’s ideal picnic spot
VW BUREAU
B halukpong is a small town locat-
ed along the southern reaches of
the Himalayas in West Kameng dis-
trict of Arunachal Pradesh in India.
The town is located at 213m above
sea level, 100 km from Bomdila, 52
km from Tezpur and 5 km from Tipi.
It lies along the Kameng river and is
the headquarters of Bhalukpong cir-
cle. A road leads to Bomdila via the
Tipi Orchidariurm, and the inner line
check post is located at Bhalukpong.
Bhalukpong lies on the banks of the
mighty Kameng river and borders
along the dense forests that form the
periphery of the Pakhui Game Sanc- IMAGE CREDIT: Arunachal Tourism
tuary. Bhalukpong is a gateway to
popular destinations like Tawang PICTURESQUE PORTAL: Bhalukpong is a gateway to popular destinations like Tawang and Bomdila.
and Bomdila, but it has its own spe-
cial charm too. It is a favorite picnic tion and historical glory of the place. Aka tribe is celebrated in January at ern form. Handicrafts, basket weaving
spot and people from nearby areas of It was constructed by king Bhaluka Bhalukpong,Thrizino . Bhalukpong and wood carving are the principal
Assam and Arunachal Pradesh con- on the banks of Bharali River. Apart is inhabited by members of the Aka arts among the Aka tribe. One of the
gregate here every year in hordes to from the fort’s stays, necessary stays Tribes. The Aka, also known as Hrus- most notable features of Aka arts is
emjoy picnics. Fish angling and river of Bana, grandson of King Bhaluka so, are found in the Thrizino (cultural the Chinese design of the Jana flow-
rafting are the other principal tourist are additionally preserved right here. hub), Bhalukpong (commercial hub), er, which can be often found on many
activities in Bhalukpong. Tourist at- The remains of the fort located on the Buragaon, Jamiri, Palizi, Khuppi area of the indigenous haversacks. It is
tractions in Bhalukpong include the banks of River Bharali, have a few in West Kameng of the Indian state of a known legend that the Jana flower
Pakhui Game Sanctuary and Tipi Or- stone blocks and bricks on the slope Arunachal Pradesh. represents the commemorate an an-
chidariurm, which hosts over 2600 of the hillock. A pond and a brick well The Aka share strong cultural affini- cient Tibetan king, who was believed
cultivated orchids from 80 different are also found here. Historical remains ties with the Miji, and intermarriage to have led his entire life through dai-
species. of Bana, the grandson of King Bhalu- with the Miji is prevalent Centuries ly reincarnations. It was also believed
Bhalukpong Fort was constructed ka and the heroic character of Ma- of Vaishnava and intermittent Tibetan that he lived in an open giant palace
round tenth century and although habharata are also found here. influence from the Sherdukpen has that grew the Jana flowers every time
now in ruins, it stands for the tradi- The annual festival Nyethidow of the shaped the Aka culture into its mod- the sun sets.
growth and establish an opportunity to create a brand new market. Medium sized
Indian cities have emerged as one of the fastest growing markets or quality
leisure products and 'Holiday Expo' is just the perfect Travel Exhibition
reachout to this very market, thus ensuring your product
profits to its optimum potential.
VADODARA NAGPUR VIZAG VARANASI COIMBATORE
16,17,18 AUG 2019 11,12,13 OCT 2019 18,19,20 OCT 2019 13,14,15 JAN 2020 17,18,19 JAN 2020
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Tel: +91-40-4014 9950 | Mob: +91-97018 66695 | Fax: +91-40-4018 9951 | Email: info@holidayexpo.in | www.holidayexpo.in
IMAGE CREDIT: NATHAN DUMLAOEVENTS Voyager’s World | June 2019 | P24
Travel Forward boots up new features for 2019
VW BUREAU access to meetings, on-site networking
events and free transport to and from
T ravel Forward, a global event
serving the travel and hospitality
technology ecosystem, is preparing for
ExCeL are part of the package.
The event includes a two-day paid-for
conference. A speaker line-up will be
2019’s event with an upgraded offer for announced shortly. Attendees will hear
startups and buyers. from travel tech specialists and the wid-
The three-day, B2B travel technology er enterprise technology community,
show, co-located with WTM London, gaining practical insights on how to
takes place this year at ExCeL London future-proof their technology strategies
from November 4 to November 6. and stay ahead of the disruption curve.
Last year’s inaugural event immediate- This year’s event will also feature an in-
ly became the most visited travel tech- teractive exhibition, product showcases
nology show in the UK. A number of and innovation spotlight zone.
exhibitors from the launch event have Richard Gayle, Event Manager, Travel
already rebooked space for 2019, re- Forward, said: “Technology and travel
flecting the positive return on invest- never stand still, and neither will Travel
ment seen across the show. This year’s Forward. Our mission is for visitors and
inspirational and experiential event will exhibitors alike to learn from the trav-
build on the successful features from el tech elite, in an environment where
2018 with some new components add- innovation, disruption and commercial
ed, in response not only to exhibitor and success is always front of mind.
visitor feedback but also the constant “We’re also aware that connecting gen-
evolution of technology and travel. uine buyers with appropriate exhibitors
A Startup Showcase competition is is essential, which is why we’ve created
one of the main features of Travel For- the VIP Buyer program.
ward 2019, aiming to capitalise on the “And every tech business, from Apple
success of last year, won by Canadian to Expedia, was once a startup and we
flight search specialist TripNinja. are committed to the new and the in-
A new Meet the Investor initiative will spirational. The Meet the Investor ini-
incentivise executives from boutique tiative will formalize how startups and
DISCOVER TECH: Travel Forward, the three-day, B2B travel technology show,
and generalist firms, as well as individ- investors can sit down to talk feedback, co-located with WTM London, takes place this year at ExCeL London from
uals, to attend. Free conference passes, funding and the future.” November 4 to November 6.
KLM to host 76th IATA AGM How TrawellTag Cover-
in Amsterdam More helped customers
VW BUREAU VW BUREAU
It is absolutely We are indebted
T he International Air Transport As-
sociation (IATA) announced that
wonderful that
Amsterdam was chosen for L alit Kumar Dave travels to the
U.S. every year to meet his
daughter. Unfortunately, his last
to TrawellTag
Cover-More for assisting
KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will host
the 76th IATA Annual General Meeting the IATA gathering in 2020 visit did not go as expected, as Mr.
us not only during the
(AGM) and World Air Transport Sum- and that we as KLM can Dave had to be hospitalized due to
mit in Amsterdam. The event will be
host IATA in 2020. This year,
excruciating back pain. Mr. Lalit time of my father-in-
held on June 22 and 23. Dave’s daughter made sure that all
This will be the third time that the Neth- KLM celebrates our 100th the medical bills due were cleared law's hospitalization
as soon as he was discharged in
erlands will host the global gathering of
aviation's top leaders (Following events anniversary. We are ready order to avoid legal complications in the U.S.A, but also
held in the Hague in 1949 and Amster- and fit for the next century during his trip back to India. for bringing respite by
dam in 1969). KLM is a founding mem- He was expecting a reimburse-
ber of IATA and is celebrating its 100th and—as one of the found- ment of the expenses of the treat- handling a string of ad-
anniversary this year. ers of IATA—very proud ment on submission of the required
ministrative formalities
“It is absolutely wonderful that Amster- documents, but nothing worked as
dam was chosen for the IATA gathering to welcome everyone in planned. Things got worse when of the hospital.
in 2020 and that we as KLM can host Amsterdam next year. the hospital authorities refused to
IATA in 2020. This year in October 2019 provide them the invoices for al-
KLM celebrates our 100th anniversary. most a year, which eventually led MR. JAYANT MEHTA
A very special moment for all KLM col- PIETER ELBERS to the closure of the claim. This Lalit Dave’s Son-in-law
leagues. We are ready and fit for the next Lalit Dave’s Son-in-law defiance came into light when Mr.
century and—as one of the founders of Lalit Dave’s son-in-law, Mr. Jayant ter where they intend to travel,
IATA—very proud to welcome every- KLM’s century of success reminds us Mehta got in touch with TrawellT- TrawellTag Cover-More will al-
one in Amsterdam next year,” said Pieter of the constant innovations that have ag Cover-More’s claims assis- ways be their constant companion
Elbers, President and CEO of KLM. underpinned the development of glob- tance team. The team immediately for all the future trips.
"The aviation industry looks forward al aviation,” said Alexandre de Juniac, swung into action and took care We don't just want to meet your ex-
to meeting in Amsterdam for the 76th IATA’s Director General and CEO. of the coordination with the US pectations; we want to repeatedly
IATA AGM. The Netherlands has a The decision to host the 76th IATA An- hospital authorities. After several exceed them!
rich aviation history with its vibrant nual General Meeting and World Air discussions, Mr. Dave received the “TrawellTag Cover-More has al-
economy driven by connectivity. It is Transport Summit was made at the con- required documents and invoices ways been my primary choice for
particularly significant that we will be clusion of the 75th AGM and World Air and Team TrawellTag managed to my customers, as they understand
hosted by KLM. While we work to- Transport Summit in Seoul, which at- secure a considerable discount on the customers travel needs and al-
gether to achieve sustainability, build tracted 1,000 aviation leaders from IATA the hospital bill. ways have the best offerings readi-
the infrastructure needed to support member airlines, industry stakeholders, Mr. Lalit Dave and his Son-in-law ly available,” said Mrs. Shilpaben,
growth and evolve smarter regulations, strategic partners and the media. have hence decided that no mat- Travel Consultant, Ahmedabad.Imagi
The ca’s
me Pa
r
str k ategy
CAROLINE DIANA lywood Park and Eyelusion, a 3D visitors are from outstation and thus
augmented reality park. This year a major source of tourism.
T he theme park industry in In-
dia is undergoing a paradigm
shift. Statistics show that the Indian
saw the launch of Glowmagica,
which is dedicated to the Seven
Wonders of the World, all glowing Experi-
“An emerging and growing trend
from last year that has carried for-
ward to 2019 is the growing prefer-
amusement and theme park industry and illuminated. ence-driv- ence among consumers to spend on
has been growing at a compounded “While we believe we presently offer experiences rather than products.
annual growth rate of more than 12% high entertainment value to consum- en travel ‘Experiential travel’ has been a buzz-
with annual revenue of around Rs.17 ers, we continue to explore addition is set word for a while now as the millenni-
billion, and is estimated to grow to at of newer concepts and technologies al of today lives life differently,” said
least Rs.40 billion by 2020. through like-minded partners with in- to continue, and OTAs Singh. He also explained that the rise
A case in point is Imagica, India’s vestment capabilities. Our endeavour are gearing up to offer of experiential travel and the need for
first theme park that is emerging to be is to make the Imagica experience leisure time have seen the emergence
one of the preferred family entertain- more accessible to all – both within unique tours and of new entrants in the travel and
ment destinations. Since its launch
in 2013, the brand has unveiled a
and outside India primarily through
our Indianized content and entertain-
activities. leisure competitive landscape. The
industry has grown with investment
slew of offerings in a phased man- ing every individual across all walks from newer players. While some
ner. Spread over 130 acres, Imagica of life,” said Raveendra Singh, Head- RAVEENDRA SINGH existing water parks have revamped
is now equipped with 26 rides and Marketing, Sales and Strategy. Head- Marketing their positioning and offerings. The
several attractions, with the capacity The brand’s footfall has crossed 8.3 Sales and Strategy, Imagica market overall has seen growth; how-
to accommodate 15,000 guests every million in a span of six years. The ever, the concentration remains on
day. The theme park also houses No- company has seen a consistent year- the water park and low-price segment
votel Imagica, the hotel with a capac- on-year growth in footfalls. Over the nascent stage in India. Nevertheless, categories.
ity of 287 rooms. past two years, the footfalls have Imagica is actively working on its “Experiential categories such as ad-
In 2014, the Mykonos-themed wa- grown by 12% CAGR from 1.54 mil- communication strategies to educate venture activities, theme/amusement
ter park was launched with 14 water lion in FY17 to 1.72 million in FY18, the potential customers. parks, skip-the-line historical experi-
slides and wave pools for an estimat- all 3 parks put together. Reports claim that Indian Amuse- ences, food tours, and cooking class-
ed daily capacity of 5,450 guests. In “Even with this level of footfall, we ment Parks attract over three crore es skyrocketed, with year-on-year
2016, the brand unveiled India’s larg- have barely penetrated 15 % of the visitors annually and contribute to growth increasing. This trend of ex-
est themed snow park with 100% nat- primary catchment. Therefore, the nearly 40 percent of the total leisure perience-driven travel is set to con-
ural snow and a 50-foot dome. potential of growing footfall is in- industry turnover, which are key tinue, and online travel aggregators
Last year, the brand launched two credible,” said Singh. drivers of growth among the services (OTAs) are gearing up to offer unique
attractions: House of Stars, a Bol- The concept of theme parks still at a sector in India. About 30-35 percent tours and activities,” Singh added.You can also read
