The UN Tourism, formerly UNWTO has unveiled its latest Tourism Visa Openness report, showcasing a resurgence in international travel accessibility to pre-pandemic standards. The study delves into the dynamic realm of global visa regulations, highlighting significant shifts in travel facilitation strategies.
Tourism Visa Openness Index is a metric designed to gauge the extent to which destinations promote tourism and the degree of visa facilitation they offer. It also evaluates mobility scores, reflecting the impact of visa policies on citizens worldwide, alongside an intricate analysis of visa policy reciprocity.
Key findings of the Tourism Visa Openness report revealed that international travel openness has returned to pre-pandemic levels after the relaxation of Covid-19 travel restrictions. The pandemic has led to the emergence of innovative travel facilitation measures, including “nomadic visas.”
Moreover, the proportion of individuals requiring traditional visas has decreased globally, from 77 per cent in 2008 to 47 per cent in 2023. In addition, an increasing number of people are enjoying visa-free travel, marking an increase from 17 per cent in 2008 to 21 per cent of the global population. Furthermore, approximately 14 per cent of the world population can avail themselves of visa on arrival facilities, a significant rise from 6 per cent in 2008. Finally, around 18 per cent of the world population can apply for eVisas, witnessing a substantial increase from 3 per cent in 2013.
The UN Tourism report also provided a comprehensive analysis of visa regulations worldwide, based on different regions. The highest openness score was recorded in Asia and the Pacific, while South East Asia, East Africa, and the Caribbean emerged as the most open sub-regions.
According to the report, total demand, measured in revenue passenger kilometers (RPKs), surged by 16.6 per cent, marking a significant uptick. Concurrently, total capacity, measured in available seat kilometers (ASK), witnessed a commendable increase of 14.1 per cent. The load factor, a crucial indicator of operational efficiency, stood at 79.9 per cent, reflecting a notable rise of 1.7 percentage points.
South Asia and West Africa witnessed a significant increase in openness since the last report. On the other hand, Central and North Africa, North America, and Northern and Western Europe were found to be the most restrictive regions. The prevalence of visa exemptions was particularly notable in the Caribbean and Central America. East Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and West Africa were found to have common visa on arrival policies. The Tourism Visa Openness report further emphasises the pivotal role of visa policy enhancements in fostering tourism growth. Key suggestions include integrating tourism perspectives into visa strategies, introducing targeted visa-exemption programs for low-risk traveller markets, and expanding visa on arrival facilities.
Additionally, clear communication on visa policies, streamlined application processes, expedited processing times, and optimized entry procedures are crucial for enhancing the overall visitor experience.
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This International Women’s Day, it’s an opportune moment to celebrate the strides women have made across various domains, including travel. The increasing liberalism and financial independence among Indian women have sparked a notable shift, with more women embracing solo travel and exploring the world on their own terms. This trend not only impacts the travel industry but also reshapes perceptions of women as adventurous travellers.
According to insights from the travel fintech platform Scapia, women travellers have embarked on an average of two trips in the last six months, with nearly 56 per cent of all bookings made by women being for solo travel. Scapia’s data highlights intriguing destinations worldwide that captivate Indian female travellers’ interests.
Lesser-explored and exotic international cities like Manama in Bahrain, Busan in South Korea, and Seville in Spain have emerged as top choices for Indian women, experiencing over 2.5 times more searches on Scapia’s travel platform. The top five destinations that women travellers have been searching for their next adventurous escapades include:
1. Busan (South Korea)
2. Seville (Spain)
3. Manama (Bahrain)
4. Oludeniz (Turkey)
5. Strasbourg (France)
These destinations offer unique cultural experiences and offbeat adventures, resonating strongly with the adventurous spirit of Indian women travellers.
Additionally, cities renowned for their cultural richness and historical significance, such as Budapest, Dublin, and Nairobi, have recorded the highest hotel bookings on Scapia among women seeking unique travel experiences. For flights, preferred destinations among women travellers include Langkawi, Chiang Mai, Muscat, and Zurich, offering a blend of natural beauty and cultural immersion.
Over the past few years, there has been a notable increase of over 25 per cent in the number of female guides in Bhutan, particularly since the country reopened its doors to tourism in September 2022 after the COVID-19 pandemic. Presently, there are approximately 1,809 certified and validated guides in Bhutan.
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The Indian bus industry is on track to achieve a value of INR 104,000 crores by 2026, showcasing a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.64 percent. These insights are unveiled in the report titled “Traveltech 2.0: The Next Phase of Digitally Empowering the Indian Traveller,” jointly published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Grant Thornton Bharat. This report was launched during the India Digital Summit (IDS) 2024 held in Mumbai.
The report highlights that surface transportation services, including bus and rail travel, offer significant potential for online travel agency (OTA) service providers by delivering value-added services beyond basic online ticketing.
While online ticketing among bus travellers is witnessing a surge, especially in the AC bus segment, intra-city bus travel remains primarily offline-based, presenting substantial opportunities for private sector involvement.
The report also underscores the growing trend of value-added services in intra-city bus travel, such as live bus tracking and digital ticketing, aimed at enhancing the passenger experience.
Despite the predominance of offline ticketing habits, there is a growing interest among users for online services, particularly if they offer features like seat availability details, reservation options, cost-effectiveness, discounts, and diverse price ranges.
In the railway sector, the report reveals that while reserved passengers contribute significantly to revenue, unreserved passengers account for a sizable portion of the total passenger count. This dichotomy presents an opportunity for collaboration between the Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS) and private OTAs to expand digital ticketing services and enhance user convenience.
Dhruv Chopra, Co-founder and CMO of Chalo, expressed optimism about the report’s impact on improving city bus travel experiences, emphasising the role of technology in driving positive policy changes.
Commenting on the report’s launch, Aloke Bajpai, MD & Group CEO, ixigo, highlighted the transformative potential of technology in ground transport, particularly with the increasing adoption of OTA-driven tech upgrades.
“Railways and buses are revolutionising the ground transport segment in India. With infrastructure development, increased internet penetration, modernisation and improvement in service quality with OTA-driven tech upgrades, this segment is poised for further growth. By leveraging technology, OTAs are empowering travelers to make smarter travel decisions, and are playing a leading role in driving online adoption in the ground travel sector,” he said.
Prakash Sangam, CEO, Redbus, highlighted the importance of addressing tax disparities in e-commerce transactions to promote online adoption in ground travel. “It is important to remove tax disparities between e-commerce operators and e-commerce suppliers in the domestic market. Currently, a customer pays a 5 per cent GST charge when booking a non-AC bus through an e-commerce platform. This charge is zero for a direct booking from a bus operator, irrespective of whether it is done in online or offline mode,” he said.
Vikash Jalan, Chief Business Officer of PayTM Travel, talked about the collaborative efforts needed to bridge the digital divide and fully leverage travel technology’s potential.
The IAMAI, established in 2004, advocates for the digital industry’s progress through initiatives in public policy advocacy, business conferences, research, startup promotion, and consumer trust and safety.
Grant Thornton Bharat, a member of Grant Thornton International, is a leading professional services firm in India, offering a range of assurance, consulting, tax, risk, and digital transformation services across various industries.
Following the achievement of EBITDA profitability, IntrCity plans to strategically deploy the newly acquired funds to bolster its product offerings, drive accelerated user acquisition, and expand its presence along key routes, catering to the evolving needs of its expanding traveler base. In 2024, IntrCity marked a profitable year, expanding its footprint in partnership with nearly 30 bus operators across the country.
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Uber has released its annual travel index titled ‘Riding with Intercity‘, offering key insights into outstation travel trends in India. The index highlights significant patterns in travel behavior, particularly emphasizing the popularity of weekend getaways among Indian travellers.
In 2023, Uber witnessed a surge in Intercity trips, with weekends emerging as the preferred time for travel. Most Intercity trips were booked on Saturdays, followed closely by Sundays and Fridays, indicating a clear inclination towards weekend outstation travel.
The unprecedented growth in Intercity travel is attributed to several factors, including the rise in leisure and religious tourism across the country and notable improvements in road infrastructure. The development of national and state highways has not only reduced travel times but also enhanced the overall comfort of road journeys, prompting more individuals to opt for longer-distance travel by road.
To cater to the evolving needs of travellers, Uber introduced new features, such as round trip bookings lasting up to 5 days, allowing riders to retain their Uber and driver throughout the journey. This flexibility in booking, combined with the ability to schedule rides up to 90 days in advance, has garnered significant traction among users, with a fivefold increase in the number of Intercity rides reserved in advance in 2023.
The ‘Riding with Intercity’ index also unveils the most popular destinations chosen by riders in 2023, ranging from tourist hotspots to off-beat routes and religious pilgrimages. For instance, Mumbai residents favored visiting Pune and Nashik for a quick getaway, while Delhiites frequented Agra and Jaipur for their historical architecture. Bangaloreans, on the other hand, preferred Mysore and Nandi Hills as their top getaway spots.
Moreover, the index reveals that round trip bookings were particularly popular among leisure travellers and those embarking on visits to places of worship, as they could retain the Uber with them throughout the journey. Conversely, one-way trips were predominantly booked by individuals visiting family, allowing for flexible return dates.
According to the ‘Riding with Intercity’ index, Mumbai-Pune, Delhi-Agra, and Bangalore-Kolar are the top three intercity routes in India. The index also highlights the most popular intercity weekend travel months in 2023, which include July, September, October, November, and December. Saturday, Sunday, and Friday are the top three days of the week for Uber Intercity rides in 2023.
For the Indian adult women surveyed, an all-girls trip isn’t simply a holiday, but it gives them the opportunity to get away from day-to-day worries (48 per cent), chance to try new foods (32 per cent), delve into new experiences together (43 per cent) and discover new places (30 per cent).
The index also sheds light on the top uses for intercity travel in 2023, with family visits, business travel and meetings, and tourism being the most common reasons. When it comes to intercity round trips, tourism (religious and leisure), business travel and meetings, and family visits are the top three uses.
Finally, the index reveals the most popular getaways around major cities in 2023. For instance, around Mumbai, Pune, Nashik, Lonavala, and Alibaug are the most famous getaways. Similarly, around Bangalore, Mysore and Nandi Hills are the top getaways, and around Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Vrindavan, and Chandigarh are the most popular ones.
As Uber continues to revolutionize mobility in India, offering various options such as Moto, Auto, Cars, and Buses, the company remains committed to providing seamless transportation solutions for millions across 125 cities in the country. With a decade of service, Uber reaffirms its dedication to keeping India moving forward and facilitating sustainable income opportunities for over 800,000 Indians.
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Skyscanner, one of the leading travel platforms, recently unveiled its highly anticipated 2024 Travel Trends Report, showcasing the evolving preferences of Indian travellers and their insatiable appetite for exploration. Blending proprietary flights and hotel data based on millions of searches with an annual consumer behaviour study and expert commentary, the company revealed travel trends for next year as well as the top 10 trending destinations and best-value destinations.
Data from the report reveals that film and entertainment has a significant influence on Indian travellers, with 94 per cent of them inclined to taking a trip to a destination they’ve seen on the big or small screen. Moreover, close to half (43 per cent) of the respondents rate the overall ‘vibe’ of a destination as important, when choosing where to go in 2024.
The Skyscanner report is based on an annual survey, marking the first time Skyscanner conducted a dedicated survey for the Indian market, with approximately 18,000 respondents. Out of this, close to 1,000 respondents were Indians.
In a conversation with Mohit Joshi, Skyscanner’s travel trends and destination expert, ET TravelWorld delved into the report’s highlights, survey insights, and the most intriguing travel trends.
Evolution from Revenge Travel to Culture-Led Travel Vibes
The report identifies a significant shift from “revenge travel” after the Covid-19 pandemic to what Skyscanner terms “culture-led travel vibes.” Mohit Joshi highlighted four distinct cultural travel vibes:
Main Character Energy: Travellers increasingly seek to visit destinations they’ve seen in web series or films. For example, the release of “Emily in Paris” Season 3 led to a 23 per cent increase in searches from India to Paris. Similarly, Indian destinations like Manali and Ladakh have gained popularity due to appearances in television series.
Bougie Budget Foodies: Food plays a vital role in Indian travellers’ choices. Surprisingly, 59 per cent of Indians booked a destination primarily to dine at a specific restaurant. Travellers are more likely to explore destinations that offer an excellent culinary experience.
Destination Z: With 85 per cent of Indians prioritising mental health and well-being in 2023 compared to the previous year, travelers are increasingly seeking destinations for relaxation and quality sleep. Over 66 per cent reported getting better sleep while on holiday.
Guilt Tripping: Travellers now plan trips around artist performances or concerts, with more than 30 per cent willing to travel short or long haul to attend such events, provided it aligns with their budget.
The heightened focus that consumers today place on travel experiences opens new opportunities for brands (particularly those in the financial services sector) and the travel industry alike to deepen their engagement with their most valued customers. This is an opportune time for brands to enhance their customer value propositions by incorporating travel-related benefits and rewards in the experiences they provide
Top Destinations for Indian Travellers
The 2024 report reveals that 86 per cent of Indian travellers plan to take the same number, if not more, trips abroad in 2024 compared to 2023. Internationally, the report revealed the following top destinations:
– Da Nang, Vietnam: A remarkable 1,000 per cent increase in search volume indicates growing interest in this destination.
– Almaty, Kazakhstan: Almaty witnessed a surge in popularity with over 500 per cent more searches.
– Baku, Azerbaijan: Baku is becoming an exciting destination for Indian travellers.
Far-flung destinations remain popular for Indian travellers too, with Osaka and Auckland trending.
– Osaka, Japan: Known for its culinary delights, Osaka’s allure remains strong.
The report also identified three distinct travel types:
1. Analog Adventurers: Often younger travellers (Gen Z) seek retro experiences. A quarter of these travellers bring Polaroid cameras to capture their trips.
2. Luxe for Less: Travellers want luxury and relaxation at an affordable cost. Destinations like Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok offer both.
3. Celebration and Vacationers: More travellers choose to celebrate special occasions, such as birthdays and anniversaries, with travel. However, group travel planning can be challenging, with Skyscanner offering solutions to ease the process.
Future of Indian Travel
Value for money remains a key factor for Indian travellers, with the cost of the flight (26 per cent) and attractions (18 per cent) being the biggest factors determining the destination. However, 63 per cent of Indian travellers have budgeted to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to 2023, while 25 per cent will spend the same. Only 7 per cent have said they’ll spend less.
Reflecting on the report’s findings, Joshi observed a resilient Indian travel market, with 55 per cent growth in travel searches compared to 2022. An impressive 86 per cent of Indian travellers plan to either maintain or increase their travel in the coming year, he added.
Talking about expansion plans, Joshi said Skyscanner is committed to bolstering its presence in India, focusing on resources, advertising, and marketing. “The platform aims to provide seamless and straightforward travel booking experiences for Indian travellers,” he mentioned.
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In a major development for the state, the Government of Uttar Pradesh has earmarked INR 130 crore for the establishment of a Tourism Facilitation Centre in Ayodhya. This investment promises to set in motion a significant economic transformation in the tourism sector, particularly in the eastern region. The primary objective behind this initiative is to enhance international tourism in the sacred city, ultimately reshaping its economic landscape.
According to an initial analysis conducted by myATITHI.global, a community platform dedicated to supporting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the hospitality, tourism, and travel industry, the creation of this Tourism Facilitation Centre is anticipated to yield remarkable results. Notably, it is expected to inject hundreds of crores into the state’s revenue and create over a thousand direct job opportunities.
Projections suggest that this strategically positioned Centre will emerge as a major revenue generator for the state. Experts have also estimated that it has the potential to annually contribute hundreds of crores to Uttar Pradesh‘s economic prosperity.
As the Tourism Facilitation Centre takes shape, the state’s revenue streams are poised for a significant upswing, stated the analysis. This boost will not only benefit local businesses but also enrich the state treasury, enabling the government to make critical investments in public services and infrastructure, it added.
The analysis also noted that the exact revenue figures will depend on various factors, including the number of tourists, their spending behaviors, and the operational success of the facility. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that Ayodhya’s strategic location makes it a lucrative hub for tourism revenue.
Beyond the financial forecasts, this initiative holds the promise of unlocking a plethora of employment opportunities. Both the formal and informal sectors are expected to reap significant benefits, with the potential for job creation spanning a wide spectrum of roles.
In a month’s time, the forthcoming Homestay Policy will be launched alongside a Caravan Policy. This aims to promote a more flexible and itinerary-free recreational van experience, complete with dedicated caravan parks with essential facilities and services. Looking ahead, Goa Tourism is also eyeing new initiatives to increase both domestic and international footfalls to the state, shared the Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte.
Preliminary estimates indicate the creation of thousands of direct job positions, encompassing roles such as administration, management, and service, along with countless opportunities for local artisans, vendors, and small businesses.The ripple effect of this development is expected to bring about a substantial yearly economic upswing in Ayodhya and its environs, the analysis mentioned.
Given Ayodhya’s cultural and spiritual significance, it stands to be the primary beneficiary of this transformative project. According to the sources, the state government has initiated the project by floating an e-tender and shortlisting potential companies. The final selection will be made following the opening of financial bids.
The Tourism Facilitation Centre, once completed, will offer a range of amenities, including an office, art and crafts center, food court, amphitheater, parking facilities, dormitory, and a shopping complex. The analysis highlighted that this multifaceted facility is poised to become an economic lifeline for the city and its residents.
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In the economic value of the Indian alcoholic beverage industry Maharashtra has been ranked the fifth state after Tamil Nadu, UP, Telangana and K’taka with Nashik emerging as the ‘Wine Capital of India’.
Nashik received more than 3.5 lakh visitors every year as wine tourism here has benefitted nearby villages creating new opportunities to improve state GDP by nearly 20%, said the report by the International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI), the apex body of the premium AlcoBev sector.
Maharashtra has the largest installed capacity in the country for the production of Alcoholic spirits from molasses and grain. An astounding 1.8 lakh foreign tourists visit the state, with domestic tourists exceeding 4.3 crore, report added. Maharashtra has the added advantage of having around 90% of liquor manufacturers in the country establishing their manufacturing units within the state itself.
The International Spirits & Wines Association of India (ISWAI), the apex body of the premium AlcoBev sector, on Tuesday presented its report titled “Economic Value of the Indian Alcoholic Beverage Industry” to DCM Ajit Pawar, Agriculture minister Dhananjay Munde, Excise Commissioner Vijay Suryawanshi and joint commissioner Yatin Sawant. The comprehensive report is a first-of-its-kind that delves into critical aspects and contributions of the AlcoBev sector to the State of Maharashtra and the nation overall.
In 2022, Jammu and Kashmir received a record 1.88 crore tourists. The current year is set to surpass this achievement, with foreign and domestic arrivals exceeding expectations. Sharing this and more, Secretary of Tourism & Culture, J&K Govt, Syed Abid Rasheed Shah, talks to ETTravelWorld about the role of sustainable tourism in U/T, plans to develop 300 new destinations and active involvement of youth.
The report provides important insights into the alcoholic beverage industry in terms of its economic contribution, consumption trends, and contribution to allied sectors such as agriculture, tourism, etc. Presenting the report, Nita Kapoor, CEO, ISWAI, said, “The Alcobev Industry is the economic engine of the country and the state, and it is, thus, essential that relevant stakeholders should recognise the economic contribution of our sector.””The number of retail outlets in Maharashtra is 10,849. The scope of the alcohol industry in terms of employment is remarkable. Currently, India’s alcoholic beverage retail shop density per lakh of drinking population is five. The total number of retail shops is estimated at around 88,234, including IMFL, country liquor and beer. E-commerce is an opportunity for all spirits that the state could consider with stringent KYC norms that can be implemented with a technology partner,” the report stated.
The overall nationwide alcoholic beverage tax collection for the financial year 2021 was as high as INR 2.4 lakh crore, the report pointed out. Interesting to note that the wine production in India is concentrated in the state of Maharashtra (90 per cent). The strong link between the alcoholic beverage and tourism industries is creating new growth opportunities, the report stated further. In Nashik the wine tourism has benefited nearby villages such as Gangapur, Gangaware, Girnare and Savergoan by creating new opportunities from tourism like hotel properties, the food industry, local farmers and retail merchants, it added.
Suresh Menon, Secretary-General, ISWAI, said, “Maharashtra has the advantage of being the gateway of India for business travel and tourism. An astounding 1.8 lakh foreign tourists visit the state, with domestic tourists exceeding 4.3 crore. Studies indicate that alcohol tourism has the potential to increase local GDPs by as much as 20%”.
India is the fifth largest contributor to global market revenues and is expected to retain its position in the near to medium term. The Indian alcoholic beverage industry’s market size was estimated at USD 52.4 billion (INR 3.9 lakh crore) for CY2021, which is approximately 2% of India’s nominal GDP for FY21 and more than 1.6% of nominal GDP for FY22. Some sources estimate the Indian alcoholic beverage industry’s potential size at USD 64 billion in the next five years.
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Airbnb has reportedly contributed over INR 72 Billion (USD 920 million) to Gross Domestic Product and supporting over 85,000 Indian jobs in 2022 alone. New research from Oxford Economics revealed that the GDP contribution and jobs supported in India has more than doubled since 2019 despite the Covid-19 outbreak and international border restrictions.
The report also highlighted the powerful multiplier effect Airbnb guest spending has within local communities. In 2022, Airbnb guests spent a total of INR 64 billion (USD815 million) in India in areas like purchases on transportation, restaurants, retail stores, and retail stores.
The guests spent in 2022 more than doubled the 2019 levels.
The report shared that in India, Airbnb’s presence was the highest in Goa, where the guests’ spending amounted to almost INR 14.8 billion (USD 190 million). This was followed by Bangalore and Delhi, Mumbai and Manali.
In 2022, domestic Airbnb guest spending totalled INR 52.6 billion (USD 670 million), and accounted for approximately 82 per cent of total Airbnb guest spend in India, around a three-fold increase from 2019.
The report also explores two key changes in travel behaviour since the pandemic: the dispersal of tourism away from urban areas, and long-term stays driven by the emergence of flexible work arrangements.
“The economic contribution to both GDP and jobs driven by travel on Airbnb in India has created powerful economic ripple effects that have enabled the growth of local businesses, such as shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes — which are often central to how travellers experience a destination — and created job opportunities for the locals,” said Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan.
India’s tangible heritage isn’t just a static display of the past, it’s a dynamic force driving the future of tourism. The country’s emphasis on preserving its tangible heritage goes hand in hand with responsible tourism. By promoting off-the-beaten-path destinations, we can ensure more equitable tourism growth, alleviating pressure on more popular sites and distributing economic benefits more widely.
“As destinations across India continue to recover, we are committed to partnering with governments and communities to rebuild their tourism economies in a way that is equitable, inclusive, and sustainable,” he added.James Lambert, Director for Economic Consulting in Asia for Oxford Economics acknowledged that Airbnb has clearly played a major role in the resilience and rebirth of the Indian travel and tourism sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Airbnb has been at the heart of some of the trends reshaping the nation’s travel and tourism industry, including the shift in travel away from cities and towards more rural communities, and the increase in demand for long-stay trips, exemplified by the live and work anywhere phenomenon,” said Lambert.
He added that the domestic travellers have been crucial to the tourism sector’s resilience over the past three years as Indian guests saw opportunities in domestic travel as a substitute for international holidays, with self-drive and regional trips increasing in popularity. This, he highlighted, led to a wider dispersion of tourism spend outside the traditional or popular destinations in India.
The report by Oxford Economics presents results for the twelve month period up to and including March 2023, representing a year since travel restrictions started to be removed across India.
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In a promising turn of events for India’s travel and tourism industry, foundit, formerly known as Monster APAC & ME, a leading talent platform, has released its latest findings regarding recruitment trends in this sector. The report reveals an impressive 44 per cent year-on-year growth in talent demand in August 2023, marking a significant rebound for the industry after facing pandemic-induced challenges.
This remarkable growth can be attributed to increased disposable incomes, higher spending on both leisure and business travel, and various government initiatives aimed at promoting tourism.
Before the pandemic, the travel and tourism sector exhibited robust growth of 16 per cent in 2019. However, the industry suffered a major setback during the pandemic, with a 47 per cent decline in job postings in 2020 and a 27 per cent drop in 2021 due to widespread travel restrictions and lockdowns. While the industry experienced a marginal 3 per cent hiring upswing in 2022, it has seen a remarkable recovery this year, thanks to renewed confidence in travel and various government initiatives. India’s affordable wellness industry, which is renowned globally, has also significantly boosted medical tourism. Sekhar Garisa, CEO, foundit, a Quess company, commented, “The Travel & Tourism industry has made a remarkable comeback from the pandemic, driven significantly by government initiatives focused on infrastructure development and heritage promotion. India’s decision to allow 100 per cent FDI for tourism construction projects and its participation in the G20 summit have further strengthened sustainable tourism in the country. Emerging technologies like AI and AR/VR are also playing a crucial role in driving growth and enhancing visitor experiences, shaping the future of Indian tourism. To sustain this growth, the industry must focus on niche segments with high potential, such as wellness, adventure, sustainability, and cultural tourism, offering unique and well-promoted experiences.”Hiring trends in the travel & tourism industry
The report indicates substantial growth in hiring activity in the Travel & Tourism industry. Here are some key insights:
Demand for Gig Roles: The demand for gig roles within the travel industry has surged by 14 per cent since January 2023. This shift is attributed to businesses investing in digital transformation and technology to recruit and retain employees, especially during peak seasons or for special events.
Roles in demand: Sales and Business Development roles accounted for 23 per cent of total demand, followed by Engineers (Software, Electrical) at 12 per cent, and Marketing and Communication roles at 8 per cent. Chefs and Medical Representatives also contributed significantly to overall demand.
City-specific trends: Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur (34 per cent), Ahmedabad (33 per cent), and Chandigarh (33 per cent) showed the highest year-on-year increase in job postings for August 2023. Among metropolitan cities, Delhi (34 per cent) saw the most significant growth, followed by Kolkata (21 per cent), Chennai (19 per cent), Hyderabad (8 per cent), and Mumbai (5 per cent).
Experience levels: Freshers/Entry Level Talent (0-3 years) accounted for 49 per cent of online hiring intent, followed by Intermediate level (4-6 years) and Top Management (15+ years) with a 14 per cent share each.
Salary trends: Minimum salaries ranged from INR 288,696/- to INR 580,234/- for freshers, INR 5,29,516 – INR 8,20,734 for intermediate professionals, INR 8,70,833/- to INR 14,11,556/- for mid-senior roles, and INR 12,19,515 – INR 18,55,291 for management professionals.
The report also highlights the rise of tier-2 cities as prominent talent hubs, thanks to their swift infrastructural expansion, diverse talent pools, and cost-efficient operations.
The surge in hiring activity within India’s travel and tourism sector signifies a strong rebound for the industry. As the sector continues to recover and grow, the focus on niche segments and the adoption of emerging technologies are expected to shape the future of Indian tourism.
Many freshers seek guidance on promising career paths and courses that can lead to success. In celebration of World Tourism Day, TeamLease EdTech presented the top five job roles that are likely to shape the careers of Indian freshers in the vibrant Travel and Hospitality domain. These sought-after roles are paired with courses designed to empower them on an exciting journey towards success.
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MakeMyTrip’s corporate brand solutions brand, myBiz has been ranked at the top in travel and expense management for the APAC market in G2’s Fall Report, 2023. This is the third consecutive category recognition for myBiz.
The brand ranked first out of 17 in Asia Pacific Regional Grid Report for Travel Management; first out of 10 in Small Business Asia Pacific Regional Grid report for Travel Management; first out of 16 in Small Business India Regional Grid report for Travel Management and first out of 14 in India Regional Grid Report for Travel management in Fall 2023.
“G2’s recognition revitalises our conviction, ensuring we continue to innovate and enrich the corporate travel solution ecosystem in the country. As Indian businesses go global, myBiz remains committed to flawlessly catering to every facet of their travel requirement,” said Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing Officer and Chief Business Officer – Corporate, MakeMyTrip.
While technology promises a brighter future for the travel industry, it also presents several challenges: As companies collect more data for personalisation, addressing privacy concerns becomes paramount. Striking the right balance between personalisation and privacy is a delicate task. On the other hand, navigating complex regulatory and policy issues related to data privacy, security, and cross-border travel is also a constant challenge.
Over the last four and a half years, myBiz has emerged as a trusted brand for corporate bookings solutions from MakeMyTrip. “We started building this product with a two-pronged approach. One: It will automate all workflows. And two: We will elevate the corporate travel experience tour like we have elevated it for the leisure use-cases at MakeMyTrip,” said Singh in a separate interaction. A one-stop SAAS solution to handle booking requirements for corporates with detailed and easy customisation process builds on the rich data of its parent company to bring all the potential options across flights, hotels, trains, and ground transport, to a corporate traveller.
Predictably, lack of human support was the first resistance it encountered from the market. “However, India is seeing tailwinds on automation. So more companies are adopting technology to ease workflows to reduce fixed costs,” he shared.
Over the last year and a half now, myBiz has focussed on building a holistic solution and offering the same experience as a B2C traveller. The companies can seamlessly set policies, report without manual hassle, and sync with their ERP and HRMS, allowing the employees to handle their booking for themselves.
“We have tried to create a model that is high on savings, without diluting the experience for a traveller,” said Singh. “On the supply side, we have paid special attention to curation. So both on the supply side and on the demand side, we have ensured that a corporate traveller finds the right inventory, at the right price and is able to complete the transaction in very much like a B2C,” he said.
In a recent interview with GB Srithar, Regional Director, India, Middle East & South Asia, Singapore Tourism Board, key insights into India’s burgeoning travel market and Singapore’s appeal to Indian travelers were unveiled. India, now the fourth-largest tourist market for Singapore, continued its robust growth into 2023. With the strongly connected travel trade connections and ease of access between the two destinations, STB looks at tapping newer segments from India.
For myBiz, their growth has been bolstered both by market recovery and by the fact that the number of clients that are using it has gone up in demand. According to Singh, the one big thing that changed post pandemic is the requirement for flexibility. “Plans are far, far less fluid. People want to book but say, ‘I will not travel if it’s not required’,” said Singh.
This in turn has led to the preference for cancellable fares and a seamless process – all without the intervention of customer care. “We now have post-sale services enabled on the app, where you don’t really need to contact the call centre, most of it is automated, and you can actually kind of do forward flows and do it yourself,” he shared.
“From a contracting point of view, we’ve ensured that the fares are flexible, we build data-based products that allow last minute cancellations and offer flexibility in travel plans,” he added.
To make that happen myBiz works closely with their airline partners and offers corporate rates that are actually more flexible than the B2C rates. So while it may not be the lowest rate of the day, it offers flexibility to change the booking.
“A large part of our story has been to get the midsize companies who do not get catered well, similar (and flexible) rates to what are only given to large corporates. As a company we are working with over 6,500 hotels across India. Our strategy has been to cover around 2,000 locations, which should take care of a large part of that demand,” he explained, adding, “This volume of cooperation allows myBiz the flexible of fares, making it possible for a corporate to cancel up to 24 hours in advance.”
Ranked at number five in terms of top source markets for the country, in 2019, the Indian traveller arrivals to Thailand was almost 2 million. Last year, when Thailand fully opened its borders in July, it clocked almost 1 million Indian travellers. “From the first of January until August, though we have surpassed last year’s numbers, we may just not be able to touch the 2019 level,” said Siriges-a-nong Trirattanasongpol, Director, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), New Delhi office.
The key markets for myBiz are the top eight cities. Of these, Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru have the maximum penetration.
“This year, we carried out an exercise to test the emerging zones in India. These included Indore, Raipur, Bhopal, Surat, Chandigarh and beyond. In UP, Kanpur, Lucknow has emerged as a good bet,” he shared. Likewise, in the South, cities like Coimbatore have emerged as a strong market and are becoming the growth drivers for myBiz.
Going forward, MyBiz has aggressive plans, where they are looking to double the business and in a much shorter time period. “The biggest challenge, so far, has been ensuring that the corporates get an end-to-end solution on GST,” said Singh. “We are taking it up head on. We have now automated the entire process. We collect that invoice online and share it further,” he said.
And now, scaling new heights with recognitions and achievement, myBiz is set to solidify its position as a superior choice for businesses seeking superior solutions.
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