The second Vande Bharat Express connecting the holy city of Katra with New Delhi was flagged off on December 30, 2023. With this, Katra is among the first lot of cities in the country to have two Vande Bharat Express trains.
While Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh joined the function from Katra railway station, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagged off the Mata Vaishno Devi Katra-New Delhi Vande Bharat Express from Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.
The Minister informed that rail projects costing over INR 41,000 crore rupees are being run in Jammu and Kashmir, which is a record in itself as no other Union Territory or state in the country has earned such a distinction. Similarly, more than INR 6,000 crore rupees have been allocated for the development of Jammu and Kashmir in the Union Budget.
Speaking on the occasion, Singh said the government has accorded special attention and focus to the development of this region.
Singh said that the Prime Minister had stated that those areas of the country which remained not connected would see connectivity under his government for overall development of the country.
He said the way the web of rail connectivity has been unrolled in J&K, it will be testament to the changing face of the Union Territory.
Central to this development is the inauguration of the state-of-the-art airport constructed at an initial cost of more than INR 1450 crore. As per the sources, the airport will now be named as Maharishi Valmiki International Airport Ayodhya Dham. The airport’s terminal building will have an area of 6500 sqm, equipped to serve about 10 lakh passengers annually. The airport will improve connectivity in the region, leading to a boost in tourism and other opportunities.
Singh said a record more than two crore tourists visiting the Valley, and over a crore pilgrims paying obeisance at Mata Vaishno Devi shrine is an example of that connectivity, the minister emphasised. The Minister said the role of J&K will have a critical importance in a developed India by 2047.Lieutenant Governor J&K, Manoj Sinha also joined the flag-off ceremony from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra railway station. He also highlighted the unprecedented growth registered in the tourism sector and shared the efforts of the administration to strengthen the religious tourism circuit in the region.
“Several incredible tourist destinations of Jammu division are witnessing huge tourist influx and boost to the local economy of far off-the-beaten-track. Shiv Khori Shrine Board is committed to the development of Shiv Khori Shrine. I hope Heli service from Katra to Shiv Khori will start in the coming days,” the Lt Governor said.
J&K is witnessing fast-paced quality infrastructure development. Last-mile connectivity for inclusive development has also enhanced ease of living for citizens in far-flung areas, increased economic activities and livelihood opportunities, he said.
“We have undertaken road and railway infrastructure projects of unprecedented magnitude and they are being implemented at an unprecedented speed. It is also a symbol of our unshakable commitment to all-round progress of the Union Territory,” the Lt Governor further added.
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At a fireside chat at ET Travel & Tourism Conclave & Awards, Santosh Kumar, Country Head (Indian Sub-Continent & Indonesia), Booking.com delved into the platform’s distinctive approach within the Indian market and across the globe. He highlighted several aspects that set the Indian market apart while discussing emerging traveller behaviours, company’s innovative strategies, focus on sustainability and alternate accommodations ruling over traditional hotels.
Platform’s approach to the Indian Market vs Global
Indian travellers have earned the second position among APAC‘s most assured travellers, according to a Booking.com report. Speaking during the session, Kumar highlighted Booking.com’s adaptable platform, consistent across countries but also tailored to unique factors in India, given its burgeoning appeal.
“We started with the pay-at-hotel model, which is still popular here because it suits Indian travelers who like flexibility. Most of our global transactions use a different payment model. Presently, 55 per cent of our global transactions stem from the merchant model, wherein we handle payments for travellers. But in India, the pay-at-hotel system is still a big hit,” he said. This model, he added, offers flexibility and convenience and aligns closely with the Indian consumer psyche, particularly for domestic and outbound travel.
During the ET Travel & Tourism Conclave, Arvind Singh, Former Tourism Secretary & AAI Chairman highlighted India’s tourism growth, projecting a INR 16.5 trillion contribution to the economy in 2023, a mere 3.5 per cent dip from pre-pandemic 2019 figures. Singh also discussed global tourism’s outlook, foreseeing a 23.3 per cent surge in Travel and Tourism GDP, nearing USD 9.5 trillion for 2023.
Another unique facet is India’s wide parity market, stated Kumar. “As a fulfillment provider, we maintain consistent pricing across partner platforms, ensuring uniform rates, availability, and conditions, which differs somewhat from global norms. Additionally, the emergence of value-added services and bundled rates caters well to the value-driven preferences of Indian travelers. They seek not only accommodation but also crave inclusive add-ons such as spa treatments, meals, and diverse experiences, making bundled rates a hit in India,” he added.Emerging Traveller Behaviours
Kumar also discussed evolving travel patterns in the Asia Pacific, emphasising a normalisation of travel behaviours post-pandemic, a rise in experiential travel, and an increased awareness of responsible tourism.
“Now, when focusing specifically on the Indian market, we see some distinct behavioural traits. Indians are notoriously late bookers; they tend to have shorter booking windows, meaning they often book closer to their travel dates compared to other nationalities. For India, it is somewhere around 27-28 days, and for international booking the window is roughly three times higher than the domestic booking window,” he revealed.
Food, he said, is another thing playing a significant role in Indian travel experiences. “Indians tend to plan their travel itineraries around culinary experiences, making it an integral part of their exploration. Additionally, there’s a considerable demand for room service among Indian travellers, more so than in many other nationalities,” Kumar said.
The panel’s discourse painted a comprehensive picture of India’s outbound travel industry, highlighting successful strategies, emerging trends, and challenges. The consensus was that despite the hurdles posed by the pandemic and geopolitical tensions, opportunities abound for businesses to cater to India’s evolving travel market by prioritising unique and priceless experiences.
He further revealed that group travel is on the rise among Indian travellers across various segments. “This trend has been further amplified by the increasing availability of alternate accommodations in recent years. A noteworthy development has been the surge in unbranded accommodations in tier two and tier three markets, particularly in religious circuits,” he remarked.
What is intriguing according to Kumar is that around 70 per cent of new accommodations in these segments are transitioning from unbranded to branded options. This growth is attributed to the evolving infrastructure, improved connectivity, and expanded accommodation choices in these regions. “All these factors are anticipated to contribute significantly to the religious travel segment’s growth.”
Encouragingly, emerging brands in alternate accommodations also indicate professionalisation in the sector, likely leading to future consolidation, according to Kumar. “The shift in work dynamics from remote to office-based work might influence weekly occupancy patterns in the short-term rental segment, a trend worth observing,” he shared.
Focus on alternate accommodations
Kumar also spoke at length about Booking.com’s emphasis on alternate accommodations, a segment constituting 33 per cent of their global room nights in the last quarter, outpacing traditional hotel segments.
“It’s a substantial part of our business that continues to expand consistently. Each quarter, we witness a steady increase in the market share of alternate accommodations compared to traditional hotels,” stated Kumar.
Kumar highlighted how this segment disperses tourism traffic, especially to lesser-explored destinations, facilitating authentic travel experiences.
Yatra Online Co-Founder & CEO highlighted the low marginal cost of selling additional products once the platform is in place, with a focus on a deeper and wider product portfolio. This includes cross-selling of services such as insurance, attractions, and car rentals. Shringi underlined the importance of both technology-enabled and manually interfaced products in this evolution.
“Setting up structures for alternate accommodations is also quicker compared to traditional hotels, which often require extended periods due to licensing requirements. Consequently, there’s been a natural surge in supply, significantly impacting tourism trends. This growth has been particularly beneficial in addressing concerns related to climate change in popular hill destinations and has introduced entirely new destinations to travelers’ radars. Places like Uttarakhand, Himachal, Goa, and even other states like Tamil Nadu and Kerala are witnessing increased interest due to the emergence of homestays and similar alternate accommodations,” he said.
He mentioned the company’s investment in infrastructure and tools for this segment, along with collaborations with state governments to shape policies and organise targeted workshops and training sessions. “These endeavours also support the micro-entrepreneurs besides dispersing tourism traffic while enriching authentic travel experiences for all,” said Kumar.
Strategies & differentiation
Kumar further detailed Booking.com’s differentiation strategy, focusing on data-driven design, a seamless user experience. “Regarding Booking.com’s unique offerings like the Connected trip feature and other innovative products, our distinction lies in a few key areas. Firstly, our design principles prioritise simplicity and innovation. We conduct around 1000 tests daily on our website and app to ensure a seamless consumer journey. Unlike some competitor platforms that tend to be cluttered, our platform boasts transparency in pricing without any unexpected fees later in the booking process. Data is integral to every decision across departments, ensuring informed strategies,” he shared.
Secondly, sustainability is a core focus for Booking.com, revealed Kumar, adding that the company has committed to a Net Zero ambition aligned with the Paris Agreement. “We’re educating our global staff on sustainable travel and fostering partnerships through coalitions like the travelers’ coalition. For partners, our sustainable travel badge program allows accommodations to showcase sustainability efforts, collaborating with third-party certification programs,” he shared, informing that currently, over half a million properties globally have joined, categorised based on their sustainability efforts.
Additionally, Kumar seemed thrilled about the inauguration of Booking’s Center of Excellence in Bangalore launched on November 29. “Going forward, the objective is to expand our workforce to nearly 1000 employees within the next few years; presently, we’ve already reached a count of approximately 350 individuals in the past few months,” he revealed, adding that this center stands as our second-largest, complementing the existing facility in Romania.
This Center of Excellence, he said, serves as a pivotal facility specialising in FinTech product management and global engineering across all the brands including Booking.com, Agoda, Priceline—offering comprehensive support worldwide. “It signifies our steadfast commitment to India, showcasing our continuous investment in capabilities and marketing endeavours,” he concluded the chat on a positive note.
Kumar was interacting during a fireside session with ETTravelWorld’s Editor, Navneet Mendiratta, during the 2nd edition of the Economic Times Travel & Tourism Conclave & Awards. Notably, Booking.com also won the recognition “B2C Travel Campaign of the year” for Howzat for your perfect stay at the event.
Notably, the company, which is one of the leading online travel service providers, witnessed a surge in room bookings in 2022, surpassing 90 crore, marking a 52 per cent increase from pre-pandemic levels, coupled with a 13 per cent rise in revenue
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India’s tourism industry is on the verge of achieving new heights, just like the Business vertical of Economic Times, ETTravelWorld. The Economic Times Travel and Tourism Conclave and Awards, which is designed with the rapidly evolving dynamics and trends of the travel and tourism industry in mind, kicked off with an outstanding second edition, setting the bar high.
Organised at the Eros Hotel New Delhi Nehru Place on November 30, the event was attended by the prominent travel and tourism industry leaders, association heads, hoteliers, aviation experts, government officials, state tourism boards and more.
The conclave laying focus on suggestions to build an inclusive ecosystem of tourism, featured an interesting line-up of speakers engaging in thoughtful conversation during the five-panel discussion, four fireside chats and industry overviews covering tourism, MICE, technology and hospitality sectors. The day-long event received rave reviews from industry stakeholders and attendees.
Gracing the event with his presence, Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, IT, E&C, Printing & Stationary, Government of Goa kick-started the Gala Award night after the conclusion of Conclave in the evening. He further felicitated awards winners for their outstanding contribution in various sectors encompassing different categories.
Here is the full list of Award winners award winners:
1. Luxury Travel Operator of the Year – The Q Experiences.
2. Adventure Tour Operator of the Year – TREK THE HIMALAYAS.
3. Service provider of the year – MakeMyTrip ECO Rent a Car.
4. Excellence in Travel Tech Co – More than 10 Years – InterGlobe Technology Quotient (ITQ) iWeen Software Solutions.
5. Fairs and Festivals State of the Year – Department of Tourism, Government of Goa.
6. Pilgrimage & Heritage Destination of the Year – Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil
Nadu.
7. Tourism State of the year – Department of Tourism, Government of Goa.
8. Excellence in Travel Tech Co – Less than 10 Years – Paytm Travel.
9. Online Travel Marketplace of the Year (B2B) – MakeMyTrip.
10. Online Travel Marketplace of the Year (B2C) – EaseMyTrip.
11. Integrated Marketing Campaign of the year – JW Marriott New Delhi Aerocity – (10 Year
Anniversary – Decade of Luxury Celebration).
12. Excellence in Use of PR – MakeMyTrip.
13. Inbound Tour Operator of the Year – Cholan Tours.
14. Outbound Travel Operator of the Year – SOTC Travel Limited.
15. Domestic Airline of the year – Vistara – TATA SIA Airlines Limited.
16. B2C Travel campaign of the year – Booking.com – (Howzat for your perfect stay).
17. Excellence in Use of Social Media – IndiGo & Paytm Travel (Joint Winners)
18. Excellence in Homestay Accommodations – StayVista.
19. Wedding Property of the Year– Hotels – JW Marriott Mumbai Juhu ITC Grand Goa – A Luxury Collection Resort and Spa.
20. 5 Star Resort of the Year – JW Marriott Mussoorie Walnut Grove Resort & Spa.
21. MICE Hotel of the Year – Heritage Village Resort & Spa Manesar.
22, Luxury Wedding Property of the Year – Hotels – Fairmont Jaipur.
23. Spa Property of the Year – Six Senses Vana.
24. Excellence in Use of Digital Platforms – Air India Express Ltd.
25. MICE Travel Operator of the Year – Thomas Cook India Limited.
26. Domestic Tour Operator of the Year – SOTC Travel Limited.
27. Wellness Property of the Year – Atmantan Wellness Centre.
28. Boutique Hotel of the Year – Dolkhar Ladakh.
29. 5 Star Hotel of the Year – ITC Grand Chola.
30. Palace/Heritage Hotel of the Year – Before 1950 – Taj Rambagh Palace, Jaipur. The 2nd edition of Travel & Tourism Annual Conclave and Awards was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and co-powered by Amadeus. The State Partners were Tamil Nadu Tourism and Gujarat Tourism, while TBO.com and Goa Tourism were Associate partners.
The Event Partners of the 2nd ET Travel & Tourism Conclave & Awards were Punjab Tourism, Encalm Hospitality and PayU. Foxtrot Interactive was the Silver Partner of the event.
The Exhibiting Partners include Nepal Airlines (Promoted by Bird Travels) and Nasher Miles. The venue of event Eros Hotel New Delhi, Nehru Place was the Hospitality Partner.
Dewar’s Double Aged was the Beverage Partner on board while Annadya JMD India and Luxorides were Gifting Partner and Mobility Partners respectively.
The event was also supported by key travel trade associations including IATO, TAAI, TAFI, ADTOI, OTOAI, ETAA, NIMA and ABTO.
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The 2nd edition of the summit builds upon the success of its maiden edition which was organised earlier this year and witnessed over 300 delegates including ministers and ambassadors in attendance. The second edition has an impressive roster of speakers and is set to deliver a compelling series of sessions, panel discussions and fireside chats, showcasing thought leaders and experts from the industry.
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The stage is set for the grand return of the 2nd edition of the Economic Times Travel & Tourism Conclave & Awards, an initiative by ETTravelWorld. Scheduled to take place on November 30, 2023, at the Eros Hotel New Delhi Nehru Place, this marquee summit promises an engaging and insightful experience for stakeholders in the travel, tourism, and hospitality industry.
Bringing together corporate entities, government bodies, and tourism boards, both domestic and international, the Conclave is poised to catalyse discussions, innovation, and celebrate excellence within the industry. With a day-long program of insightful panel discussions, complemented by an evening of prestigious awards, the event aims to set new benchmarks.
The event commences with the registration and arrival of guests, followed by a ceremonial inauguration with the lamp lighting. Subsequently, the proceedings open with a welcome address by ETTravelWorld’s Editor, Navneet Mendiratta followed by a special address by the Guest of Honour, Minister of State for Tourism, Shripad Yesso Naik. The event will officially kickstart with a keynote address by Arvind Singh, Former Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Govt of India & Former Chairman, AAI. Singh has also played a pivotal role as the Jury Chair for the awards leg of the event.
With an impressive roster of speakers, this year’s event is set to deliver a compelling series of sessions and fireside chats, showcasing thought leaders and experts from the industry. The agenda includes insightful industry overviews featuring Madhavan Menon, Executive Chairman, Thomas Cook (India) addressing Mapping the travel disruptions, Naasir Merchant, Co-Founder of Foxtrot presenting Growth possibilities in a new scenario (MICE), Akash Datta, Senior Vice President at HVS ANAROCK exploring the Hospitality sector’s potential within India and beyond, Ranaj Biswas, Associate Vice President, Global Technology & Cloud at Amadeus Labs discussing Travel Technology’s role in redefining ease of business and, Praveen Iyer, Co-Founder & Chief Commercial Officer of Akasa Air on Mapping Aviation Growth & The Brand Story.
On the other hand, the panels will cover crucial topics like building smart destinations, aviation growth, travel technology, AI engagement, online travel agencies, tech-led brand scaling, sustainability in destination management, financial services in travel, India outbound strategies, and creating luxury experiences while engaging the local community for a holistic tourism experience.
The speakers for the 1st panel discussion “Building smart destinations: Integrating governance, innovation and sustainability” include Manisha Saxena, DG Tourism, Govt of India; Rakhee Gupta Bhandari IAS, Principal Secretary, Tourism & Cultural Affairs (Punjab); Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, Secretary, Tourism & Culture Department, Govt of J&K; Tejinder Gupta, Partner (Government Sector), Grant Thornton Bharat LLP. The panel will be moderated by Jyoti Mayal, President, TAAI.
2nd panel discussion “Engaging with the AI: The big shift from human interface to machine learning” will feature Vikas Sharma, CEO, Encalm Hospitality; Raj Rishi Singh, CMO & CBO, MakeMyTrip; Jyothi Plappara, Head of Engineering, Airport & Airline Operations, Amadeus Labs; Pankaj Periwal, SVP – Strategy, Rategain and will be moderated by Shilpa Rathnam, a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience.
Supported by Gujarat Tourism as the Host State for the 14th CIC, the event aims to propel the momentum in the MICE industry, building on the impetus provided by the G20. The theme for this year’s conclave is “Sustainable MICE: Empowering Events Towards A 5 Trillion Economy.”, ICPB mentioned in a statement.
The speakers for the 3rd panel discussion “Growth: Scaling tech-led brands and business expansion” include Ankush Nijhawan, Co-Founder, TBO.com; Anshul Gupta, MD, Industry Lead for Travel & Hospitality, Accenture; Rakesh Negi, Head of Business Transformation, FCM Travel India; Manish Rathi, Co-Founder & CEO, IntrCity SmartBus and the moderator will be Chirag Agrawal, Co-founder, TravClan.
Shifting the focus to sustainability, the 4th panel will include key speakers like Shreya Ghodawat, Sustainability Strategist & India Ambassador of SHE Changes Climate, Dr Sumit Sharma, Programme Officer, United Nations Environment Programme, Shoba Rudra, Partner, Rare India, Eesha Singh, Co-Founder, No Footprints. The panel will be moderated by renowned environmentalist, Mandip Singh Soin who is also the Founder & MD, Ibex Expeditions and Founding President of RTSOI.
The last panel “India outbound: One year into aggressive marketing and building direct connections. Is the strategy working?” will feature GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East, South Asia, & Africa, Singapore Tourism Board (STB); Mukul Sukhani, SVP, Business Development, Mastercard, Daniel D’Souza; President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel; Rohit Kohli, MD, Away & Co. The moderator will be Nitin Sachdeva, CEO, Venture Marketing & TCEB’s India Representative.
Additionally, the conclave’s engaging fireside chats are poised to spark essential dialogues within the industry, charting a course for growth in various tourism-related sectors. The sessions include Dhruv Shringi, the Co-founder & CEO of Yatra highlighting the complexities of achieving growth for online travel agencies amidst disruptions; Santosh Kumar, Country Head at Booking.com, offering a nuanced perspective on similar challenges in the Indian Sub-Continent & Indonesia and Anuradha Murthy, the Head of Partnerships & Alliance at PayU, speaking on the intricacies of “Innovative Financial Services” and their role in navigating growth during industry disruptions.
Notably, the event is supported by a robust network of sponsors and partners, including the event being co-powered by Amadeus. The key partners include: State Partners – Tamil Nadu and Gujarat Tourism, Associate Partners- TBO.com and Goa Tourism, Event Partners- Punjab Tourism, EnCalm, and PayU, Silver Partner- FOXTROT, Hospitality Partner- EROS Hotel New Delhi Nehru Place, Beverage Partner- Dewar’s, Gifting Partner- Annadya JMD India Pvt Ltd, Exhibiting Partner- Nasher Miles, Nepal Airlines (promoted by Bird Travels), Mobility Partner- Luxorides, and various supporting trade associations including IATO, TAAI, ABTO, ETAA, ADTOI, NIMA, TAFI, OTOAI.
Following the conclave, the evening will host an awards ceremony honoring exemplary achievements, celebrating excellence, and innovation within the industry. Notably, the winning candidates underwent a meticulous selection process facilitated by EY, the knowledge partner and overseen by a transparent jury, chaired by Arvind Singh, for this edition.
The 2nd edition of the summit builds upon the success of its maiden edition which was organised earlier this year. The event witnessed over 300 delegates engaging in impactful conversations that charted the industry’s future course. The event also featured a virtual keynote address by the G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant and distinguished guests including Ajay Bhatt (MOS, Tourism & Defence, Govt of India), Rohan Ashok Khaunte (Goa Tourism Minister), and esteemed country ambassadors were in attendance.
For this edition as well, Khaunte would be present as the Guest of Honour during the Awards Ceremony.
Kerala’s strategy involved leveraging local resources and products to bolster RT destinations, effectively aligning with and contributing to the realization of the SDGs. Kerala’s RT Mission stands distinguished among seven G20 nations, alongside Maharashtra, the other Indian state recognised for its Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve project. These two Indian case studies join a select group of seven G20 countries featured on the UNWTO list.
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India has already returned to pre-Covid levels. For the year ending June 2023, Victoria in Australia received 168,000 visitors from India, and the Indian visitors spent USD 556 million. According to Visit Victoria, the destination has the highest level of expenditure among visitors from India, with 39.3 per cent market share.
“To think where we are in the recovery journey, and for India to already be ahead of where it was pre-Covid, is extraordinary,” said Shae Keenan, Chief Marketing Officer, Visit Victoria, who was visiting India to promote the destination along with Nigel Aldons, Head of Global Markets and Commercial, Visit Victoria.
Visit Victoria, the official tourism board for the state of Victoria in Australia, along with Australia’s national carrier, Qantas, presented a two-day culinary pop-up, Flavours of Melbourne, in collaboration with MasterChef Australia finalist, Chef Kishwar Chowdhury at Hyatt Regency Delhi.
Airbnb has announced new upgrades to its booking platform to make it more competitive with hotels, including revamping its ratings and reviews pages and highlighting guest favourites or homes with a near-perfect rating. Tara Bunch, Global Head of Operations, Airbnb shares trends and details in an exclusive interview with ETTravelWorld.
According to Keenan, India has already returned to pre-Covid levels. “India is a really critical market for us. It is currently Victoria’s second highest market for visitation, behind only New Zealand. Even before Covid, we were experiencing really strong growth out of the Indian market. And now as we recover, again, we are seeing incredibly strong growth,” said Keenan. In terms of future prospects, Keenan said, the destination shares an “incredibly strong ambition and optimism” for the growth of visitation from India to Victoria. According to her, the destination has been receiving a mix of visitors ranging from free independent travellers to group travel that are reflective of interesting trends such as multi-generational travel, that is of families travelling together.
“We are also seeing a growing confidence in visitors from India to Melbourne and Victoria in wanting to self drive. Because Victoria is such a small state, it is really easy to fly into Melbourne, and then get in a car and drive out to Great Ocean Road or Phillip Island. So there really is strong positive recovery from this market,” she said.
MICE is another key draw for the destination. “We have seen considerable growth in MICE travel from this market. And this segment is a big focus of Visit Victoria. Our division called the Melbourne Convention Bureau has been doing a lot of work in this market – to attract incentive groups,” she said.
Improved connectivity is another major factor that is driving footfalls from India. And direct flights from Delhi to Melbourne have been an important factor in driving up the demand. Recently, Air India announced direct flights between Mumbai and Melbourne. And now Qantas is all set to introduce 3 additional direct flights per week between Delhi and Melbourne in its winter schedule.
According to the Hong Kong Immigration Department, Indian nationals must complete a pre-arrival registration online before their visit. This online registration is an essential prerequisite for Indian travellers heading to Hong Kong. It is advised to complete this process well in advance of before intended travel date. Vistara has also issued a notification.
“Qantas has increased the frequency of direct flights from Delhi to Melbourne in its winter schedule. From three direct flights between Delhi and Melbourne per week, we will now have six flights per week. These are seasonal flights,” shared Kunal Dewan, Country Manager India, Qantas.
Additionally, Qantas flies direct between Bengaluru and Sydney five times a week. “Bengaluru being a tech hub is a big market for us. The long term plan is to get to Mumbai at some stage,” he added. The current load factor on the Qantas Delhi-Melbourne flights is 85 per cent to 91 per cent through the year and the traffic is predominantly leisure and VFR.
“Singapore Airlines and Sri Lankan Airlines are the other two critical airline partners. So we have got an extensive aviation capacity into Melbourne. And that is driving both the leisure visitors and the incentive groups that we are seeing,” said Keenan.
According to Visit Victoria, flight search from India remains strong. For the last three months (July to September 2023), flight searches to Victoria were up 15 per cent on the same time last year. This is off an already high base, considering India was a fast recovering market.
The average booking horizon (Distance from search date to departure date) is 88 days, with this longer when compared to the same time last year, indicating more forward planning. Flight search analysis shows that Mumbai-Melbourne, Hyderabad-Melbourne and Ahmedabad-Melbourne are three of Melbourne’s top 10 unserved routes. “The big trend is the multi entry/transit points. We see people going to Sydney and coming out of Melbourne and vice versa,” added Dewan.
With a thrice-weekly frequency arriving the same day at 8:05 in Munich, Lufthansa guests would be able to experience one of the modern and fuel-efficient long-haul aircraft, the Airbus A350-900. As with all services to India, local cuisine and catering will be offered to passengers onboard their direct service from India’s Garden City to Munich.
Improved bilateral relations between India and Australia have made the visa processing smoother, adding to ease of travel and fueling demand. “The visa processing has become quicker. So it has given trade and travel agents confidence in recommending Australia and Melbourne because they can feel secure that the visa will get processed quickly and efficiently. And that has helped build a positive story for Melbourne and Victoria,” said Keenan.
Growing unrest in the Middle East, given the raging conflict between Isreal and Hamas, has had travellers looking at southeast Asia and the APAC region for their holidays. “Australia is known to be a safe destination. So travellers feel confident in booking a trip to Australia, and Melbourne and Victoria particularly. Plus, Melbourne and Victoria is home to over a quarter a million Indian born Victorians. That adds to people feeling safe, feeling welcomed and included. And that is why so many Indian parents send their children to study here,” added Keenan.
According to Keenan, imagery plays a great role in selling a product which highlights the importance of increased social media content. “We work closely with our partners on cooperative campaigns where we both invest money, or bring our channels to the table to actively promote special deals, special offers or packages to Melbourne and Victoria,” she said.
Sharing insights into the focus markets within India, Keenan said from a geography perspective, Mumbai and Delhi are key markets for Visit Victoria. “As also Bangaluru, Kolkata and Chennai. Apart from these, we are also looking at those tier two cities where there is awareness and interest in the destination, as well as important feeder markets,” she said.
“We would like to direct our efforts on independent travellers and group travellers. We also work with the luxury end of the market, which is an increasing part of this market for us. Honeymoon segment as well as the multi-generational travels, so we are looking at groups of families traveling together, which Melbourne is really uniquely placed to help deliver a terrific experience for,” she added.
In terms of luxury and experiential travel, Keenan said the destination would like to go big on gig tourism apart from the existing sports tourism as well as wine and gastronomical tourism. These experiences, Keenan said, would encourage the travellers to book well in advance.
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In the ever-evolving landscape of global tourism, some iconic landmarks continue to captivate travellers worldwide. Among these timeless treasures, the Taj Mahal, nestled in the enchanting city of Agra, India, continues to shine as a symbol of rich history and enduring love.
The recently released landmark rankings for 2023, based on a comprehensive analysis of several factors by Bounce, have reaffirmed the Taj Mahal’s enduring popularity. Despite the slight dip in its score compared to the previous year, the Taj Mahal proudly claims the second spot among the world’s most beloved landmarks.
The Taj Mahal received a landmark score of 7.60, signifying its unwavering appeal to tourists and travellers. The ivory-white marble mausoleum, erected in 1648, is a testament to love, housing the tombs of the fifth Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, and his beloved wife, Mumtaz Mahal. Its architectural grandeur and historical significance have earned it a well-deserved spot as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983.
For travellers seeking a glimpse into India’s rich heritage, the Taj Mahal remains a must-visit destination. Its timeless beauty and historical significance continue to inspire awe, making it an iconic symbol of the country’s cultural and architectural richness.
Google searches and visitor number
Between August 2022 and July 2023, the Taj Mahal garnered an impressive 22 million searches on Google, indicative of its sustained popularity. Additionally, the Taj Mahal welcomed over 3.3 million visitors in 2022, testifying to its timeless allure and cultural importance. Notably, it holds a perfect 5/5 rating on Tripadvisor, a testament to the remarkable experiences it offers to those who visit.
Global ranking?
Although the Taj Mahal slipped slightly in score compared to the previous year, its standing as the second most beloved landmark in the world is a testament to its enduring charm. Only Niagara Falls managed to surpass it in the rankings, securing the top spot with a score of 9.45.
Indians have emerged as the second largest group of overseas visitors to the United States this summer, despite long wait times for visa interviews and high airfares. Canada was the largest source of visitors to the US, followed by India. However, Canada and Mexico remain the top two source markets for visitors arriving by all modes of travel.
Other best-loved landmarks worldwide
The global rankings for the world’s best-loved landmarks offer a diverse mix of iconic destinations. In addition to the Taj Mahal, the top 10 includes:
1. Niagara Falls, United States & Canada: Securing the top position for the second consecutive year with a landmark score of 9.45.
3. Grand Canyon, United States: Holding the third spot with a landmark score of 7.57.
4. Big Ben, England: Standing at fourth place with a score of 7.31.
5. Golden Gate Bridge, United States: Gracing the fifth place with a score of 7.26.
6. Burj Khalifa, United Arab Emirates: Ranking sixth with a score of 7.2.
7. Eiffel Tower, France: Securing the seventh spot with a score of 7.08.
8. Statue of Liberty, United States: Standing at eighth place with a score of 6.69.
9. Machu Picchu, Peru: Holding the ninth spot with a score of 6.07.
10. London Eye, England: Completing the top 10 with a score of 5.79.
Research methodology
To compile these rankings, a comprehensive list of 128 famous landmarks was initially narrowed down to the top 50 landmarks. Tripadvisor ratings and annual Google search volume data were collected on 5 September 2023.
The number of posts on Instagram and the number of views on TikTok were determined by using each landmark’s hashtag, with data collected on 6 September 2023. Entry fees were gathered and rounded to the nearest currency unit.
Visitor numbers for 2022 were collected, and revenue estimates were calculated by multiplying each landmark’s entry fee by the number of visitors. All factors were ranked and assigned normalised scores out of 10 to determine the overall scores.
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Following the success of its inaugural edition, UNESCO and Royal Enfield have announced the commencement of the Second Chapter of ‘The Great Himalayan Exploration’. This unique initiative is dedicated to the documentation and preservation of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Himalayan region. This endeavour seeks to raise awareness about the rich cultural traditions and heritage of India.
Last year more than 25 rider-researchers embarked on a transformative journey, documenting 21 distinct practices in various parts of Meghalaya, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. The Second Chapter of The Great Himalayan Exploration was unveiled in New Delhi with an exclusive exhibition titled ‘Journeying Across the Himalayas II’ at Bikaner House, showcasing the remarkable work of documenting these 21 practices.
This mission aims to collaborate with 100 communities to enhance resilience and inspire a movement of responsible travel practices among riders and travellers.
This session featured Tim Curtis, the recently-appointed Director and Representative of UNESCO New Delhi Regional Office for Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka who talked about the importance of preserving the ‘living heritage’ and efforts taken by UNESCO towards the cause.
“As the world grapples with the effects of climate change, which include outmigration and forced displacement that threaten cultural identities, safeguarding Intangible Cultural Heritage becomes ever more urgent. Traditional knowledge and practices passed down through generations can offer vital solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change. In a country as vast and culturally diverse as India, this partnership between UNESCO and Royal Enfield aims to raise awareness and mobilise communities to safeguard living heritage. This partnership aligns with the goals of UNESCO’s 2003 Convention for The Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage, especially as the Convention celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.”
Bidisha Dey, Executive Director of Eicher Group Foundation, the CSR and Sustainability arm of Royal Enfield, stated, “This partnership with UNESCO allows us to deepen our relationship with the Himalayas and its communities, which have inspired Royal Enfield for decades. Through the process of engaging with the Intangible Cultural Heritage of the region, we have learned that sustainable living is at the heart of most of these practices. The Great Himalayan Exploration provides riders and travellers with a unique opportunity to combine purpose with their passion for exploration.”
The Second Chapter of The Great Himalayan Exploration will witness the participation of 60 motorcyclists, carefully selected from over 600 registrations. These rider-researchers will embark on a series of rides to remote Himalayan communities in small groups over the next six months, aiming to document over 50 Intangible Cultural Heritage practices.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, Curtis, in conversation with ETTravelWorld, also highlighted the importance of sustainable tourism management, addressing social, environmental, and heritage impacts.
“UNESCO has been working for 20 years to preserve intangible culture through programs, policies, and capacity building. We are working closely with Indian government to spread awareness about cultural heritage preservation. When it comes to sustainable tourism, UNESCO has programs looking at tourism management plans for World Heritage Sites to address over-tourism issues. Their goal is balancing tourism benefits with preventing harm to heritage sites. Proper planning, policies, and awareness can help manage tourism sustainably,” he mentioned.
Whereas, Bidisha Dey while interacting with ETTravelWorld, discussed about the organisation’s green pitstop project in Ladakh, which involves working with a community to create a sustainable tourism model and building trust through transparency and community involvement.
“This was our first green pitstop and now we have few more in the making. There’s certainly one coming up in Chuma Thang in Ladakh, hopefully one in Manas wildlife region of Assam, and maybe some other places as well,” he said.
Talking about Intangible Cultural Heritage project, she said, “More importantly, this is just the first leg of the project. We’ve identified 100 practices in the eastern Himalayas, we’re documenting them. We are also in the process of identifying another 100-odd practices in the western Himalayas across Ladakh and Jammu & Kashmir.”
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