Tag Archives: Indian travellers

The number of Indian travellers to Middle East market is expected to increase by a compound annual growth rate of 10% to 9.8 million travellers by 2024, reveals a study by Colliers International as part of Arabian Travel Market series. Out of the 26.1 million travellers who took outbound trips from India, 5.4 million Indian tourists arrived in Middle East region in the year 2018. The Middle East countries like UAE, Bahrain and Oman are taking initiatives to increase share of Indian travellers through roadshows and easing of visa regulations. These countries are focusing on the Indian wedding and M!CE segments, diversifying from traditional leisure market.

Over 50 per cent Indian travellers want to stay connected while travelling compared to other APAC travellers. According to Amadeus’s Journey of Me Insights report, only 43 per cent of APAC travellers want to keep up to date with what is happening in the world. Besides, 46 per cent Indian travellers want to stay updated with work/business as compared to 32 per cent APAC travellers. The report further reveals that 43 per cent Indian travellers want to use apps to meet new people using travel and social apps compared to only 28 per cent across APAC, while 47 percent Indians want to be able to use convenience apps in comparison to 34 per cent in APAC. Indian travellers are committed to their work, open to meeting new people, but also looking for convenience while travelling.

A report ‘Journey of Me Insights’ by Amadeus reveals that 60 per cent of Indian travellers receive the most relevant travel recommendations via online channels. Besides, these channels also provide the most relevant travel recommendations to 50 per cent APAC travellers as well. According to the report, travel review sites also contribute to relevant travel recommendations for 54 per cent Indian travellers and 47 per cent APAC travellers. Several other sources for the same include travel agencies, hotel concierge, airline in-flight magazine and social network (family and friends), among others.

A report titled ‘Journey of Me Insights’ by Amadeus reveals that 57 per cent Indian travellers are most interested in virtual reality that allows them to preview or experience something they would see on their trip, compared to 51 per cent APAC travellers. Also, according to the report, an augmented reality mobile app that delivers digital overlays containing interactive information about the culture or history of a tourist site interests APAC travellers the most compared to other new technologies. However, travellers in India showed greater interest in having a 360-degree interactive video that allows them to experience something they would see on their trip.

Almost half of Indian travellers (48 per cent) book their accommodation in advance of their flight or transportation, compared to an APAC average of 35 per cent, a report titled ‘Amadeus journey of Me Insights — What Asia Pacific travellers want’ reveals. According to the report, only 15 per cent wait until after they have booked their flight but before departure, compared to 27 per cent regionally. Also, 34 per cent Indians book their accommodation at the same time when they book flight/transport. Only 15 per cent book their accommodation after their flight/transport is booked, but before departure. On the contrary, per cent APAC travellers book their accommodation after booking their flight/transport, but before departure. The report also suggests that 3 per cent Indian travellers book their accommodation after reaching the destination, as compared to 2 per cent APAC travellers.

Hilton has unveiled an exclusive  programme ‘Namaste’ for its Indian groups designed to deliver a tailored experience for those travelling from India to Europe. The programme caters to three major segments—destination weddings, meetings and incentives, and film shoots giving guests the confidence that Hilton will meet all their needs and expectations every time, no matter the occasion or destination. Fiona Robson, Senior Director— Sales Operations Europe, Hilton, said, “Huge population, rising incomes and improving infrastructure, among others offer a strong growth opportunity. India is one of the biggest growth markets, with Indians now preferring luxury and overseas stays with their improving financial status. Exceptional quality, impeccable service and always the warmest of welcomes, no one knows hospitality like Hilton. We pride ourselves in understanding the needs of our Indian guests and ensuring that we deliver a truly memorable stay; this precisely is the thinking behind ‘Namaste’, our uniquely designed programme for group travel.”

Indian travellers are avid users of sharing economy apps and services compared to other APAC travellers, reveals ‘Amadeus Journey of Me’ report. According to the report, Indian travellers are embracing these services with 73 per cent using apps like Uber, Grab, Lyft, Ola, Didi Chuxing etc to get around during me trip, compared to only 37 per cent in the rest of APAC. Apart from it, almost half (48 per cent) use Airbnb, couch surfing for stays, more than the 29 per cent APAC average. The research, Journey of Me Insights: What Asia Pacific travellers want has been conducted in collaboration with YouGov.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has partnered with a popular music channel to launch a music video, featuring both Indian and Singaporean talents. With this, STB becomes the first tourism board to come out with its own, cross-border collaborative English music video. India is a key traveller source market for Singapore and moved up a spot to become its third-largest visitor-arrival contributor in 2017. With an estimated 65 per cent of India’s population being 35 years and under having strong disposable income and increasingly travelling overseas, STB recognises the importance of reaching out to them. These young adults or working millennials seek immersive, unique and local experiences and Singapore presents a plethora of options. With this music video, STB forays into a different public space: the world of English music, pop culture and entertainment to connect with the young Indians, who are more adventurous and seek lifestyle experiences when travelling.

Aiming at a steady increase in tourist arrivals from India, Israel is eyeing one lakh Indian travellers to visit the country by 2018. “We have been very focused in tourism promotions in India and easing the visa process. This year, in the first seven months till July, we have already hosted 34,000 Indian tourists. This is expected to go up to 55,000 by the end of this year,” the Israeli ministry of tourism’s India director Hassan Madah reportedly said. Currently, there are three to four direct flights from Mumbai to Tel Aviv and numerous connecting flights from West Asia. There are talks of introducing direct Air India flights connecting New Delhi with Israel in a few months, he said, adding that if it commences, tourist traffic is likely to surge from India and this year’s number may reach nearly 90,000. There are a few global airlines that are waiting for the Air India flights to be launched, and then introduce their fleets in this direct route. “When this happens, we will see a surge in tourists arrivals from India. We have also been engaging with the tourism industry in India since last few years and are focused in many promotional activities. Due to this, we have set a target of reaching one lakh tourists from India by the end of 2018,” he said. For tourism promotions in India, the Israel ministry of tourism (IMOT) is spending $5-6 million in India this year, he said, adding that going forward, as the tourist traffic grows, the budget is likely to grow. Israel, which has positioned itself as an affordable premium destination, is targeting travellers mainly for pilgrimage, leisure and meetings, incentives, conferences, …

Tourism Australia’s arrival statistics for May 2016 revealed the highest ever visitation in any given month from India to Australia. 27,400 tourists from India visited Australia during the peak school holiday period, an increase of 18 per cent vis-à-vis May 2015, signifying Australia’s rising popularity as a leisure holiday destination amongst outbound Indian travellers. Total arrivals for the year ended (YE) May 2016 were recorded at 238,000, an increase of 8 per cent relative to the same period last year, making India the 9th largest inbound market for arrivals to Australia. For the year ended March 2016, Indian tourists spent A$ 1.14 billion on their Australian sojourn, that saw an increase of 19 per cent over the previous year. A majority of Indian tourists (67 per cent) visited Australia for the purpose of leisure. The average spend for Indian visitors increased by 10 per cent to A$ 5,215. In addition, the average length of stay for all visitors from India was recorded at 65 nights, with a 47 per cent repeat visitation. Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager, India & Gulf, Tourism Australia, said, “We are delighted to announce our highest ever arrivals from India. It is a significant and momentous occasion for Tourism Australia to see such a great response from the Indian market. Our marketing activities in collaboration with our key distribution and airline partners, with an increased thrust on digital initiatives, improved air connectivity between the two countries, stability of the Australian dollar, introduction of the pilot electronic lodgement of visa applications program, have been key factors in boosting travel to Australia. By 2025, we expect India to be among the top five markets for Tourism Australia.” The Tourism …