In a bid to reinvigorate tourism post-pandemic, The Department of Tourism, Goa is strategically targeting both domestic and international markets, aiming to diversify its tourist inflow. Deepak Narvekar, Deputy General Manager for Marketing, Hotels, IT & Public Relations, highlighted a notable rise in foreign tourist arrivals post-pandemic, with a portion hailing from emerging markets.
“Our focus is on targeting South Asian markets, given that Russia was our primary market previously. We are now redirecting our efforts towards countries like Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. The government of Goa is actively working to divert traffic from Uzbekistan into Goa, besides exploring other emerging destinations. Under the guidance of the Chief Minister of Goa and Tourism Minister, Rohan Khaunte, the Goa Tourism Board has established committees to strategise on targeting emerging markets and devising marketing strategies,” added Narvekar.
Notably, Goa celebrated the arrival of its first charter flight from Uzbekistan, Centrum Air Q6 5545, at Mopa Airport on December 7, 2023, marking the beginning of weekly charter flights linking Tashkent in Uzbekistan, to Goa until March 21, 2024. As per Rohan A. Khaunte, the Minister for Tourism, Information Technology, Electronics and Communications, Printing and Stationary, Government of Goa, this marked the start of a promising collaboration of the state with Uzbekistan.
Tapping into other markets, the tourism department also plans roadshows in Lisbon, Austria, and Spain, alongside participating in global travel fairs such as WTM London, ATM Dubai, and ITB Berlin, Narvekar stated, underlining the efforts to tap into untapped avenues.
Anticipating a surge because of improved connectivity, he also said that with the recent addition of Mopa airport alongside the existing Dabolim, Goa will see a significant increase in tourist inflow in the year ahead. “We do receive FITs in large numbers. The government is collating data from airports and hotels to track foreign tourist numbers, hoping optimism for an increase this year,” he said.
Narvekar also revealed the recent collaborations with airlines, such as IndiGo’s new route from Goa to Dehradun to promote spiritual tourism has bore fruits. Additionally, initiatives like the recent regenerative tourism campaign aim to draw tourists beyond the beaches. “The focus has shifted from the beaches to the historic temples, with the launch of the Ekadasha Teertha campaign, which highlights the development of 11 temples dating back to over 500 years old. This move aims to move tourists from the beaches to the cultural heritage of Goa’s interiors,” he added.
As the pioneer of Regenerative Tourism in India, Goa sets the stage for this innovative venture. The MoU delineates a series of initiatives designed to unveil Goa’s hidden treasures, celebrate its rich heritage, and promote sustainable tourism practices. Rohan Khaunte, Minister of Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing and Stationery, Government of Goa, articulated the vision behind this collaboration, underscoring the government’s dedication to rejuvenating the tourism sector.
Additionally, the state has implemented a homestay policy and is actively working to capitalise on its wealth of ancestral properties and heritage houses, providing tourists with an authentic experience. Recently, the Government of Goa has also teamed up with MakeMyTrip (MMT) to transform the state into a year-round destination beyond its beaches. This partnership focuses on boosting homestay experiences in Goa’s interiors, promoting unique travel itineraries, and highlighting local festivals. Emphasising sustainability, the collaboration also aims to repurpose 500,000 single-use plastic bottles for a public art installation, advocating for eco-friendly tourism practices and equitable economic benefits distribution across the state.
While acknowledging challenges like network connectivity in homestays operating in the remote areas, Narvekar assured proactive measures. “Plans are underway to extend mobile internet coverage to Goa’s interiors, including Tambdi Surla and Dudhsagar areas. While some locals initially opposed tower installations, the government is actively engaging with them to resolve concerns and enhance connectivity shortly. Additionally, the Chief Minister’s recent budget announcement includes the establishment of free Wi-Fi centers at Goa’s main attraction spots, ensuring widespread coverage across the region,” he told ETTravelWorld.
Also addressing the concerns about beach safety and tourist grievances, Narverkar said that the government-introduced Beach Vigil app is now live, which also empowers travellers to report incidents promptly. “Immediate action will be taken by the Department of Tourism upon receiving reports through the app,” Narvekar affirmed. In response to concerns about tourist harassment and service quality, the Goa government introduced ‘Beach Vigil App‘ in 2022 to monitor beach activities. Initially accessible only to officials, the app has now been made available to the public following a successful trial period.
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The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has set a target of welcoming 200,000 travellers from India this year, stated Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director, India & SAARC Countries at KTO.
This announcement comes against the backdrop of Korea‘s overarching goal of reaching a record-breaking 20 million foreign visitors by 2024.
Yun emphasised the strategic importance of India in Korea’s tourism plans, highlighting the country’s success in attracting Indian visitors. Last year saw a significant milestone with 120,000 Indian travellers experiencing Korea’s attractions.
“With their boundless enthusiasm and deep appreciation for K-pop, K-drama, K-beauty, and the Korean culture in general, we recognize the tremendous potential of the Indian travellers. Our strategic 2024 in-market initiatives will play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitious targets and to paint a vibrant picture of Korea’s diverse offerings for these discerning tourists. These include joint marketing promotions, FAM trips, digital marketing promotions, multi-city roadshows, and participation in such prominent industry events,” he added.
The Indian travel trade professionals present during the meet unanimously agreed on the need for a concerted push in overall and consumer marketing for Western Australia tourism. They advocated for increased awareness of the destination, aggressive promotional campaigns and the creation of segment-specific packages to cater to diverse traveller interests.
Determined to weave a tighter tapestry of B2B partnerships and to keep Korea at the top of Indian travellers’ must-visit lists in 2024, KTO is also marking its presence with a sizable delegation at the country’s upcoming travel trade shows including Outbound Travel Mart (OTM) in Mumbai from February 8-10, 2024, and the 31st edition of South Asia’s Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE), to be held from February 22-24, 2024.According to KTO, the attendees at the exhibitions will have the opportunity to engage in one-on-one meetings with the attending delegation who will showcase Korea’s abundance of offerings, including luxury, hallyu, culinary, MICE, among others. The delegation will comprise of key tourism industry stakeholders representing various entities such as Regional Tourism Organizations, Destination Management Companies and Airlines.
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IntrCity SmartBus, a leading player in the intercity bus travel sector, has reported an impressive growth trajectory in 2023, showcasing a resilient performance despite challenges posed by the pandemic. In an exclusive interview with ETTravelWorld, Kapil Raizada, Co-founder, IntrCity SmartBus, shared insights into the company’s achievements, technological advancements, and the evolving trends in the travel industry.
Significant Growth Trajectory in 2023
Raizada highlighted IntrCity SmartBus’s exceptional growth, revealing, “Our network has demonstrated rapidly growing consumer adoption, with annual revenues in FY23 growing 6.5x compared to FY21. This growth has been accompanied by a continuous increase in margins, even during the pandemic interruptions, with the gross profits increasing 9.0x over the same period.”
He emphasised the company’s financial performance, stating, “In the first half of the current fiscal year, we have achieved a revenue of INR 178 crore with an EBITDA profit of INR 2.9 crore. Annual revenues are expected to cross INR 350 crore this year, along with the first full year EBITDA profits.”
In terms of operational scale, Raizada reported, “The IntrCity SmartBus network now reaches 2.5 lakh seats per month with over 100 million passenger-seat-kilometers. The brand is now the market leader across several routes in both North and South India, commanding a 15-20 per cent market share in a traditionally highly fragmented industry.”
Key Drivers and Consumer Experience
Discussing the key drivers for SmartBus’s success, Raizada highlighted, “IntrCity SmartBus functions as a mobility platform, revolutionizing the perception of bus travel and positioning it as a convenient alternative to overnight long distance trains.”
He detailed the unique selling points that set IntrCity SmartBus apart, stating, “Travellers can experience the comfort of private cabins with flat beds for enhanced privacy. Additionally, boarding points with Wi-Fi-enabled AC lounges provide a space to unwind and recharge, complete with in-built washrooms, and on-table food service to ensure hygiene and convenience.”
Raizada emphasised the company’s commitment to safety, mentioning, “IntrCity SmartBus has implemented various measures acknowledging the safety concerns people face, especially women and older individuals, face while traveling on buses. To address these concerns, the platform provides buses equipped with CCTV and WiFi, real-time bus tracking, and secure boarding areas.”
Technological Innovations for Efficiency and Safety
IntrCity SmartBus leverages advanced technology for tasks such as route optimisation, real-time tracking, and enhancing passenger safety. Raizada explained, “The IntrCity Mobility System incorporates several applications including the Consumer Platform, Operator Dashboard, Crew App, IOT-based Fleet Analytics, and a 24/7 Command Centre. This complete platform caters to all aspects of organizing intercity bus services, offering travelers a seamless and exceptional journey experience.”
Uber India has released highlights of its annual data report – How India Ubered – encapsulating the key trends from how India moved this year. The analysis from the trips in 2023 revealed some very interesting trends about cities with the highest number of trips, the total number of kilometres covered in Uber rides, popular travel trends in intercity travel, the city with the most late-night trips, and also several rider preferences.
He detailed the use of IoT fleet analytics, stating, “The platform employs IoT fleet analytics to establish a network of ‘connected buses,’ ensuring seamless, on-the-go monitoring and efficient operations. This technology allows real-time performance monitoring and analytics for each vehicle, contributing to overall smooth performance.”
Addressing Urban Congestion and Intercity Connectivity
Raizada discussed SmartBus’s role in addressing urban congestion and enhancing intercity connectivity, saying, “SmartBus strategically tackles urban congestion and enhances intercity connectivity through innovative measures. IntrCity SmartBus network provides an affordable & reliable shared public transport, which is the core of creating a greener, de-congested mobility ecosystem.”
He detailed the routing strategy, mentioning, “Our network routing is designed so as to ensure that each bus addresses a specific geographic segment of a city, so as to minimize the distance that travelers have to commute to reach the nearest boarding point of their IntrCity SmartBus.”
Speaking about the diverse demographics of IntrCity SmartBus travellers, Raizada stated, “IntrCity SmartBus caters to a diverse demographic of travellers, influenced by evolving trends and preferences.” He highlighted shifts in travel patterns, saying, “During the Diwali break, there was a significant uptick in travel in and around Goa. Tourist destinations such as Tirupati, Goa, and Manali are projected to experience more than a twofold growth compared to the previous year.”
Raizada also emphasised the platform’s adaptability, noting, “These observations suggest a dynamic and diverse traveler base for IntrCity SmartBus, with preferences spanning both leisure and functional routes. The platform remains adaptable to evolving demographics and travel trends, ensuring a comprehensive and responsive service to meet the diverse needs of its passengers.”
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