Croatia may be gorgeous in June, when the kids have their summer vacation, but if you have just started planning your holiday, it may just be too late for you to hang out on the Adriatic Sea. There is no visa slot open for the next two months. The same holds for several European countries, where delays and strict document requirements leading to rejections, are leaving both travellers and travel agents exasperated and people venting out their frustration on Visa providers for alleged delays.While post-Covid revenge travel, especially to international destinations, continues to hit the roof, getting the Schengen visa has become a problem—especially for certain countries.
Take the case of Croatia, which has become a popular destination and became part of the Schengen agreement last year. “We regularly check for appointment availability and have not been successful in catching even one slot since the beginning of 2024,” says visa and immigration consultant Cyrus Sethna. “If an appointment is miraculously secured, the visa process takes a staggering 60 days before the passport is returned to the traveller.” Dates for Iceland are also not available.
A leading Visa provider firm in India – is facing the heat of customers over the delays.
Travel agents say that people who have been rejected or have not found an opening to apply, are forced to lie about their destinations and sometimes go via the Scandavian countries where slots tend to be more available. But, warns a travel agent, know that you can’t apply to Norway if you really want to go to Spain, because they are geographically too far apart and it is likely that you might get caught out. There’s also a parallel system where some visa agents charge double the price and somehow procure a slot.
“VFS Global does not control processing timelines of visa applications, neither does it control appointment availability. These are governed and controlled by our client governments,” says a VFS Global spokesperson.
“Applicants are advised to beware of fraudulent entities who charge fees from customers for scheduling appointments, using VFS Global’s name or independently.”
Greece is a bit of a hit and miss, say travel agents, pointing out that last year it had halted visa applications for the entire month of May. While some visas are processed quickly, in certain instances, they can take up to six weeks, with no option for expedited service. Another travel agent points out that her client had booked an island-hopping trip in Greece for her family, but the visas got declined and she eventually applied for a Schengen from Hungary, even though Budapest was afar cry from the Grecian agenda. It also was a needlessly additional cost for the family of four.
Solo travellers constitute the majority, representing approximately 65 per cent of visa applications in the UAE, 60 per cent in Egypt, 40 per cent in Singapore, and 45 per cent in Vietnam. Groups of two travellers make up around 20 per cent in the UAE, 30 per cent in Egypt, 25 per cent in Singapore, and 20 per cent in Vietnam.
Last year, Italy opened no appointment slots the entire summer. However, this year they have been lenient, allowing quick appointments to those who have previously held a Schengen visa. But if there is no prior visa, thenthere are virtually no dates. Spain has been fairly consistent about giving visas, but as of now, there are no appointment slots.
Before March, things were quite easy and we were getting slots but suddenly they seem to have disappeared, says travel agent Vipul Bhuva. “I had booked so many tickets thinking that the client wo-uld get the visa and now we have to change the itinerary. But it causes too much anxiety.” Main problem countries tend to be Spain, Italy, France and Switzerland because they are more popular among Indian tourists.
The pile-ups and confusion are forcing vacationers to look at other destinations. Despite the heat, some are op-ting for Asia trips which might take them to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, or travelling to African countries, both of which have eased their visa requirements. Australia and New Zealand are too far. “Pre-Covid, if you wanted to travel in May, you could apply in April, and you’d be fine,” says Sethna. “Clearly, consulates and embassies are not able to keep up with the numbers which are going up every year.”
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India on Friday advised its citizens against travelling to Iran and Israel until further notice in view of the “prevailing situation in the region”. The advisory from the foreign ministry came amid Iran’s threats to retaliate against a suspected Israeli airstrike on its embassy in Syria this month.
Countries including the US and Russia have issued similar travel advisories for their staff and citizens in the region.
In an advisory, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) also urged the Indians residing in Iran and Israel to exercise utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to minimum.
“In view of the prevailing situation in the region, all Indians are advised not to travel to Iran or Israel till further notice,” the MEA said.
“The north is empty of visitors these days,” Safi Maklada, the Negev and Galilee Authority’s Druze and Circassian tourism coordinator, told The Press Service of Israel. “You won’t find anyone around except for the soldiers doing their duty, guarding the border and the communities, and their families dropping by for a visit.”
“All those who are currently residing in Iran or Israel are requested to get in touch with Indian Embassies there and register themselves. They are also requested to observe utmost precautions about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum,” it added. It is feared that retaliation by Iran can widen the six-month old conflict between Iran-backed Hamas militants and Israel in Gaza.
The US has reached out to the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Iraq, asking them to urge Iran to lower tensions with Israel, as part of its efforts to contain the conflict.
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Across the world, the travel industry is in the throes of a massive transformation. Amidst a volatile macro-economic scenario, traveller preferences are rapidly changing. In addition, the industry currently faces inflationary costs, an acute shortage of skilled talent and is increasingly under scrutiny to adopt more sustainable and green ways of operating.
Even as these challenges persist, the industry, which includes aviation, hospitality, and travel services, can take heart in the fact that traveler sentiment remains upbeat. Months of being cooped up indoors during the pandemic has had a profound impact on consumers, reminding them that travel is more than just the trip. Instead, it is about forming human connection. An Industry Consumer Pulse Survey 2023, which surveyed over 10,000 individuals from 16 countries found that 71 per cent of consumers plan to sustain or increase their spending on leisure travel even as they consider limiting spending across most other discretionary categories.
We believe that travel businesses must build a strong digital core to not just stay relevant but also thrive in this scenario and prepare themselves for the next wave of disruption. A robust digital core is imperative to building resilient business operations, boosting employee productivity, tapping new revenue streams, and most importantly, creating memorable experiences for travellers.
There is no ‘one size fits all’ digital approach
As per industry estimates, global airline passenger traffic is estimated to touch 9.4 billion passengers in 2024. Every year, some of the world’s largest hotel chains offer over a million rooms to guests each, and some car rental companies operate a fleet size of over a million cars each. Given the large scale and complexity of operations, and the diversity of operating models, processes and traveler needs, there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to building a strong digital core.
Let’s look at this in the context of hotel chains. While all hotels want to deliver great guest experiences, select-service brands prioritize efficiency, have minimal workforce, and rely heavily on standardised processes. As a result, they need a Software as a Service (SaaS)-based lightweight workforce management platform and strong operational insights to maximise efficiency. On the other hand, upscale luxury hotel brands tend to prioritize full-service offerings, well-trained staff, and personalized services. They would typically need a best-in-class workforce management platform along with strong data-led personalisation capabilities integrated into a comprehensive CRM solution.Hence, travel businesses must design and develop their digital core and technology strategy in line with their unique requirements. Interoperable platforms and modular systems, cloud-native operating models, a strong data foundation, artificial intelligence capabilities, and security embedded in everything are all essential elements of this strategy.
Cloud capabilities are vital
Travel companies need to build a solid foundation for change, using the cloud to drive resilience and future growth. The Cloud’s inherent on-demand variability and uninterrupted global connectivity enables businesses to handle surges in business demand. A case in point is how Taylor Swift’s ‘The Eras Tour’ catapulted the demand for airline tickets and hotels in cities on the tour circuit. In situations like this, pricing systems need to be agile, capitalize on the demand, and swiftly distribute new rates across the sales channels. Similar nimbleness is also required during phenomenon like the volcanic ash clouds that can completely upend flight schedules at a very large scale. These situations need enhanced compute power and low-latency connectivity that the cloud offers.
Data-led and AI-powered travel operations
Travel businesses are no stranger to AI adoption – they have been applying AI to growth, experience, and productivity related use cases for some years now. It has been proven that leveraging AI at scale can help create personalised experiences, anticipate travelers’ needs, provide real-time assistance, and help travel companies streamline their operations, empower their employees, and reduce costs. The addition of generative AI to the mix has only given a fillip to AI adoption. Generative AI can help travelers curate a perfect family holiday itinerary, enable an airport manager draw up numerous ‘what-if’ scenarios for gate assignments during heavy snow, and assist with optimal staff allocation.
To tackle the unsustainable aspects of tourism, all stakeholders in the ecosystem must collaborate. Travellers can adopt mindful consumption habits. Local authorities have the power to incentivise eco-friendly businesses, while tour operators can educate tourists on the environmental impact of travel choices. Creating comprehensive environmental planning and waste management for eco-sensitive tourist destinations goes beyond strategy.
A recent industry research found that AI-influenced revenue for travel companies more than doubled between 2018 and 2021 and is projected to triple by 2024. However, only 13 per cent of surveyed travel companies used AI to reinvent core parts of the business, which indicates the tremendous potential for AI adoption.
In order to capitalise on this opportunity, travel companies must put in place the right data and AI strategy, infrastructure and platforms that govern how data is captured, managed, processed, and how insights are visualized and consumed. Robust data governance, responsible AI practices and in-grained security are vital. Equally key are building data, digital and cloud skills in the workforce supplemented by new operating models, and data-driven ways of working.
Elevate the Purchase Experience
To appeal to today’s traveller, their omnichannel experience – be it through the web, mobile app or call center – during browsing and booking must be seamless, intuitive, stimulating and personalised. Organisations must focus on transforming their sales channels and offering differentiated product and experiences that deliver value across the customer journey.
While the travel industry has faced many a curve ball over the years, it has successfully reinvented itself time and again. Reinvention, however, is a continuous process, and having a strong digital core is vital to building resilient and future-ready travel businesses and creating outstanding experiences for travellers.
The author is the Managing Director and Lead for Travel industry, Advanced Technology Centers in India, Accenture.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETTravelWorld.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETTravelWorld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.
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Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation India (CAPA India) has warned that the nation’s aviation sector is likely to be adversely impacted this year by potential supply chain issues. With nearly 200 out of a total fleet of nearly 800 aircraft facing grounding during this financial year, the report by the Capital & Transaction Advisor says that this number is likely to go up with more airlines planning to ground planes in the coming months.
Although India’s leading airlines have already placed orders for nearly 1,700 aircraft, because of the global supply chain challenges faced by aircraft manufacturers, the delivery of these is likely to be a gradual process spanning almost the entire next decade. News reports also indicate that leading manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing have stopped taking orders for some of their popular models until 2030. Meanwhile, industry experts say that the existing crisis will lead to constrained capacity, more flight cancellations and delays, thereby forcing airlines to increase rates.
The group chairman of UAE-based aviation conglomerate says that the global shortage of aeroplanes may lead to an increase in ticket prices, particularly for short-haul flights.
“With travel demand outpacing seat capacity, it will naturally result in increased fares. Due to the impact of global supply chain issues, capacity augmentation is also likely to take more time. This will naturally lead to higher fares, especially in the domestic travel sector, where there are only a limited number of players operating on certain routes. Less competition is another factor that may precipitate the surge in airfares,” says Jaideep Mirchandani, group chairman of Sky One.
Meanwhile, according to the online travel platform Cleartrip, airfares this summer have seen a major increase compared to 2023. As per the data, the airfare for the Bengaluru-Delhi route was INR 7,300 in March 2024, compared to INR 5,600 in the previous year, marking an increase of 30 percent. Likewise, the rate for the Mumbai-Delhi route was 22 percent higher than in 2023, at INR 6,000 in March this year. The Mumbai-Bengaluru flight ticket has also risen by 37 percent this March, at INR 4,400 as against INR 3,200 during the same period last year.
Further, the airline has deployed larger aircraft like B787-9 Dreamliner and A321neo on select domestic routes to combine flights or accommodate more number of customers, wherever possible. One of the sources said first officers reporting sick have forced the airline to cancel flights as their salaries have been reduced significantly. The source claimed that some components of the salary have been reduced while incentives linked to flying hours have been raised.
Mirchandani said one of the most cost-effective ways for airlines to overcome supply chain issues is through leasing aircraft. “Leasing will enable airlines to adjust their fleet size and composition in response to market demand, seasonal variations, and network expansion. It is a cost-efficient option that will reduce the burden of upfront capital expenditure and depreciation costs for the airlines,” he adds.He also expects an uptick in wet leasing, which involves renting planes along with operating crew and engineers, to meet the rising demand for flights which will place some control on airfare price increases.
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Despite facing significant challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the global tourism sector has witnessed remarkable resilience, with people worldwide spending a staggering amount on travelling and vacations. According to data from Stocklytics.com, global travel and tourism expenditures have exceeded USD 4 trillion in the past five years, highlighting the enduring appeal of travel and leisure activities.
The rebound in the tourism sector has been particularly notable, with global travel and tourism revenues projected to increase by 8.3 per cent in 2024, reaching almost USD 930 billion. This surge marks the highest revenue figure ever recorded in the industry, reflecting a strong resurgence following the pandemic-induced downturn.
Hotels emerged as the dominant segment in terms of spending, accounting for nearly half of the total expenditure over the past five years. With a cumulative revenue of USD 1.85 trillion, hotels significantly outpaced other sectors such as package holidays, camping, cruises, and vacation rentals.
Hospitality and consumer tech companies are emerging as hunting grounds for such talent, which can command compensation packages ranging fromINR 70-80 lakhs, reaching up toINR 1-2 crore for CXO appointments. The travel market in India, estimated at USD 75 billion in FY20, is projected to reach USD 125 billion by FY27, according to data from industry body FICCI.
The years 2020 and 2021 witnessed unprecedented challenges for the tourism sector, characterized by steep revenue declines. However, despite these setbacks, people continued to allocate substantial resources to travel and vacation activities, underscoring the enduring appeal and importance of leisure experiences.A detailed breakdown of regional spending patterns revealed that Europeans emerged as the top spenders on vacation and travel, with a total expenditure exceeding USD 1.2 trillion in the last five years. Americans followed closely behind, with USD 917.7 billion in total spending, while Chinese travellers accounted for USD 666 billion in expenditures during the same period.
The data underscores the global appetite for travel and leisure activities, highlighting the sector’s resilience and capacity for recovery in the face of unprecedented challenges. As global travel restrictions ease and consumer confidence rebound, the tourism industry is poised for further growth and innovation, signaling promising prospects for stakeholders across the travel ecosystem.
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Heavens Portfolio, a renowned hotel representation company based in Asia, has announced its strategic expansion into Dubai, marking its first office outside of Asia. This move signifies a significant step in the company’s global growth strategy and underscores its dedication to providing comprehensive services to its clients. Dubai will serve as the 16th office for the Heavens Portfolio Group.
In its bid to enter the Middle Eastern market seamlessly, Heavens Portfolio has acquired The Travel Collection (TTC), an established representation agency in Dubai founded by Jacqueline Campbell. Following the acquisition, the merged entity will be rebranded as The Travel Portfolio, continuing its mission to represent top global luxury travel partners in the GCC region.
Christine Galle-Luczak, Founder and Managing Director of Heavens Portfolio, expressed her excitement about the expansion and acquisition, stating, “I have known and collaborated with Jacqueline for many years. We share common values, work ethics, and a commitment to our clients. The addition of Jacqueline and her team to the Heavens Portfolio Group as we extend our presence beyond Asia reflects our dedication to excellence and innovation. Dubai’s dynamic environment aligns perfectly with our vision, and we are eager to explore the potential opportunities this brings for The Travel Portfolio, our clients, and the talented individuals joining our expanding team.”
This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone for both entities as they aim to cater to the growing Indian and global luxury traveller market by offering tailor-made luxury travel experiences in the enchanting island destination of Sri Lanka. Through this partnership, Red Dot Representations strengthens its position in the luxury destination management sector.
Jacqueline Campbell, Managing Director, The Travel Collection (TTC), also expressed optimism about the collaboration, mentioning, “The launch of The Travel Portfolio signifies a significant milestone in the evolution of our company. By joining forces, we are creating a formidable entity that combines our unique strengths, expertise, and resources to redefine industry standards and deliver exceptional value to our clients. I am confident that together, we will navigate today’s business landscape with resilience and shape a promising future.”The strategic acquisition and expansion into Dubai highlight Heavens Portfolio Group’s commitment to growth, innovation, and providing top-notch services to its clients in the luxury travel sector.
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A recent study conducted by technology giant Amadeus, titled ‘Travel Technology Investment Trends‘, forecasts a significant acceleration in the pace of transformation within the travel industry, with a notable 14 per cent increase in technology investment planned for the year 2024. The research, launched today, marks a pioneering effort in comprehensively analysing investment intentions and technology priorities across eight sectors of the travel industry, spanning ten global markets.
The study reveals a robust appetite for investment across the sector, with a staggering 91 per cent of surveyed travel companies expressing expectations of “moderate to aggressive” increases in investment within their organisations in 2024. Notably, airports, corporate travel managers, and hotels emerge as the frontrunners in this technological evolution, leading the charge in plans to bolster technology spend.
Key areas of focus for investment include machine learning, data analytics, digital payments, and extended reality, reflecting the industry’s commitment to driving digital efficiency and enhancing customer experiences. Noteworthy findings from the research underscore the industry’s inclination towards smarter retailing and personalization strategies to cater to evolving consumer preferences.
A significant highlight of the study is the overwhelming adoption of biometrics at airport services, with 98 per cent of airlines having already implemented or planning to implement biometric solutions to streamline airport processes.
Among the various sectors, airports lead with an average projected increase in technology spend of 17 per cent, followed closely by corporations (15 per cent) and hotels (14 per cent). Airlines, travel sellers, and travel payment departments also anticipate substantial increases, with average growth rates ranging from 12 per cent to 13 per cent.
Anticipated technological investments across key sectors
In anticipation of the year 2024, industry leaders are prioritizing smarter retailing, personalized experiences, and digital efficiency as their top technological objectives. Notable insights from respondents include:
Full-service airlines project an 18 per cent boost in revenue by transitioning to modern retailing, with an optimistic outlook on achieving the ‘Offer & Order’ transition within the next four years.
60 per cent of airports plan to implement biometrics throughout the entire airport journey within the next five years, encompassing processes such as check-in, bag-drop, lounge access, and boarding.
85 per cent of respondents from the hospitality sector foresee leveraging personalization to drive more than 5 per cent growth in incremental revenue.
NDC emerges as the leading technology for implementation among leisure travel agents over the next 12 months, cited by 40 per cent of the agents surveyed.
Corporate travel managers reveal intentions to digitize their end-to-end expense management process within the coming year.
Similarly, a third of travel payments leaders express plans to enhance global payments flows through the implementation of payments orchestration within the next 12 months.
Top priority technologies for 2024 and by 2029
Looking ahead, the research outlines the top priority technologies for both 2024 and 2029, with machine learning, data analytics, and cloud computing emerging as perennial favorites across all sectors. The findings emphasize a collective industry vision towards harnessing the power of technology to drive innovation and efficiency in the years to come.
As part of its commitment to providing comprehensive insights, Amadeus plans to release in-depth reports examining each sector explored in the research throughout the first half of 2024. These reports will delve into the specific investment intentions and technology priorities of full-service and low-cost carriers, hotels, airports, corporate travel managers, and payments, as well as travel sellers.
The study, conducted in Q4 2023 in collaboration with independent market research agency Opinium, surveyed 1,253 leading travel technology decision-makers worldwide. Representing a global perspective, the insights gleaned from decision-makers across ten key markets, including India, highlight the industry’s collective aspirations towards embracing technology-driven transformation.
Responding to ETTravelWorld’s query on investment plans in the Indian markets across travel tech, payments, and airport sector, Decius Valmorbida, President, Travel, Amadeus, commented on the investment landscape in Indian markets, noting the significant economic growth and burgeoning middle-class as driving forces behind technological advancements in the travel sector.
“With projects like the Greenfield airport in Noida and collaborations with leading airlines like IndiGo and Air India Group, India presents a fertile ground for the deployment of cutting-edge technologies such as machine learning, AI, biometrics, and retail transformation,” he said during the virtual launch event for media.
During the launch event, Francisco Pérez-Lozao Rüter, President, Hospitality, Amadeus, observed, “We know that the right technology is the key to connecting and unlocking the value of our travel ecosystem. Hoteliers, airlines and the whole sector are right to be ambitious about the next generation of technology that we are building together. Travel providers can see huge potential for a better customer experience as well as significant growth and control if they get their investment strategies right now. We can see clear ambition and commitment to evolution from this research and are excited to be at the forefront of this journey with our customers.”
During the first half of this year 2024, Amadeus will release in-depth reports examining each sector explored in the research – full-service and low-cost carriers, hotels, airports, corporate travel managers and payments, as well as travel sellers, including business travel agents, leisure travel agents and online travel agents.
This strategic move is poised to enhance the payment experience within the travel ecosystem and aligns with Amadeus’ commitment to delivering seamless travel experiences. By integrating Voxel’s solutions into its portfolio, Amadeus aims to provide a broader range of payment services for travel sellers while streamlining invoice management processes for tour operators, travel management companies (TMCs), hotel aggregators, and hotels.
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Global carrier Emirates has announced series of networkpartnerships to elevate travel experiences worldwide. Through a series of strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signings, Emirates aims to foster collaboration with key tourism entities and airlines, ultimately enhancing inbound tourism and connectivity.
Emirates has inked MoUs with the Greek National Tourism Organisation (GNTO) and Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) to bolster inbound tourism and collaboration. The airline has pledged to support Greece’s travel industry by enhancing traffic from top inbound markets, including the US, UAE, Australia, India, and China. Similarly, the partnership with ANTO aims to drive inbound visitors to Austria, leveraging Emirates’ extensive global network.
Last year, Emirates activated a codeshare agreement with the Greek air carrier, AEGEAN, allowing Emirates’ customers to seamlessly connect to eight popular domestic destinations operated by AEGEAN: Kerkyra, Chania, Iraklion, Mikonos, Thira, Rhodes, Thessaloniki and Alexandropoulos via Athens, using a single ticket and convenient baggage policy.
Emirates has recently resumed its A380 operations to Austria and is the only airline to serve Vienna International Airport with a scheduled double-decker service, offering 20% more seat capacity on flights between Vienna and Dubai. The airline will mark 20 years of operations to Austria this year, and currently serves Vienna with a Boeing 777-300ER daily service in addition to the daily A380 flight.
Expansion with ITA Airways and Icelandair
Emirates has expanded its existing interline with ITA Airways into a full codeshare partnership, amplifying travel options between Dubai, Italy, and beyond. Additionally, collaborations with Icelandair and travel technology specialists W2 and AirBlackBox (ABB) aim to deepen commercial cooperation and optimise air and rail ticket connections for travellers.
Furthermore, a partnership with Tourism Ireland seeks to amplify inbound tourism to Ireland through Emirates’ global network. Joint advertising campaigns will target strategic markets, including Australia, the UAE, and New Zealand, leveraging Emirates’ extensive reach.
With over 30 years of international passenger and airfreight operations, EVA Air has earned a reputation for excellence in services and safety practices. Ranked 9th among the Top 20 Safest Airlines for 2023 by AirlineRatings.com, the airline consistently strives to ensure that passenger safety is never compromised. And in 2024, EVA Air remains unwavering and steadfast in its commitment to offer a truly sublime and luxurious experience in the sky. Fly EVA Air, as ‘We are the wings to your travel’.
Since the inaugural Dublin-Dubai flight in January 2012, Emirates has carried more than 3 million passengers on what has grown to become one of the airline’s most successful routes. The airline currently serves the Irish capital with a double daily flight, utilising its wide-body Boeing 777-300ER aircraft – carrying up to 1,440 customers each day on the Dublin-Dubai route.
Renewed partnership with TUI Cruises
Emirates reaffirms its commitment to seamless travel experiences with the renewal of its partnership with TUI Cruises. The collaboration ensures enhanced transportation solutions between Dubai International and Port Rashid, offering dedicated flight options aligned with cruise schedules and optimised ground services.
The airline will explore enhanced transportation solutions between Dubai International (DXB) and Port Rashid, leverage insights to improve services on the ground, and provide dedicated support teams for cruise passengers. Currently, the port’s Hamdan bin Mohammed Cruise Terminal, the world’s largest single covered cruise terminal facility, is capable of handling 14,000 passengers a day.
Emirates transported nearly 400,000 cruise passengers to Dubai. The city welcomed over 166 ships during the last cruise season. The city is expecting an increase of 23 per cent more cruise passengers for the upcoming season.
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As travel becomes an integral part of Indian lifestyles, Wowtickets.com, a UK-based flight booking platform recently launched in India, unveils insights into Indians’ favorite domestic destinations. Analysing data from 36 million travellers nationwide, Wowtickets.com sheds light on the top 15 travel destinations preferred by Indians, reflecting the nation’s diverse interests and rich cultural heritage.
Wowtickets.com conducted a search survey nationally to gather insights about the cities and routes that Indians love travelling in India and the results show that Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Srinagar are the top 5 destinations.
India’s passion for travel is evident, with bustling airports like Delhi and Mumbai ranking among the world’s busiest. With a thriving travel and tourism sector, India’s GDP growth has paved the way for enhanced infrastructure and transportation, catering to the evolving preferences of travellers seeking unique experiences.
Top destinations nationwide
Among the top 15 destinations, Goa emerges as the most sought-after destination, drawing travellers with its beaches and vibrant culture. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Srinagar follow closely, catering to both leisure and professional travelers.
Regional preferences
Regional variations in travel preferences are apparent, with Mumbaikars favoring destinations like Goa and Delhi, while Delhiites show a penchant for Goa, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Similarly, travellers from Bengaluru and Hyderabad exhibit preferences for key metropolitan cities and scenic locales.
Unique search patterns
Interestingly, travellers also explored unconventional routes, indicating a growing appetite for offbeat travel experiences. Searches from Lucknow to Gangtok, Mumbai to Leh, and Srinagar to Mumbai highlight the diverse interests of Indian travellers.
Dmitrijus Konovalovas, Director & CEO, Wowtickets.com, emphasises India’s burgeoning tourism sector, poised to become a key player in the global market. “The travel industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, poised to become a significant player in the global tourism market. Predictions indicate that by 2023, the global tourism market will reach a value of USD 16.9 trillion, with India’s tourism sector making substantial contributions. This is largely driven by the enthusiastic travel aspirations of India’s youth, who prioritize exploration and adventure. As Indians increasingly explore destinations within their own country, domestic tourism receives a significant boost, further fueling the nation’s tourism growth,” he said.
The campaign aims to instill aspiration among Indian travellers and establish a loyal customer base with travel agencies based on the total number of passengers booked within the specified timeline. Scheduled to run for four months, from February to June 2024, the campaign seeks to capitalise on the growing interest in travel to Kenya among Indian tourists.
According to a report from Crisil, the travel and tourism sector in India is projected to experience a growth rate of 12–14 per cent in the coming years. India’s GDP growth has helped the travel and tourism sector thrive due to advancements in infrastructure and transportation, catering to the evolving preferences of younger travellers who seek memorable and unique experiences. In 2023, experts anticipate that the travel and tourism industry will generate approximately USD 9.5 trillion in revenue. Furthermore, projections suggest that by 2030, the global tourism market will soar to USD 16.9 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent from 2022 to 2030. During this period, the Asia-Pacific region is poised to experience the most substantial growth compared to other regions.
The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Mumbaikars want to travel nationally.
Goa, Delhi, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Dehra Dun, Patna, and Hyderabad.
Total searches were 31.86 lakh.
- The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Delhiites want to travel to nationally
Goa, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Pune, Patna, Kolkata, Leh, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Kochi, Bhubaneswar
Total searches were 35.09 lakh. - The top 15 destinations Bengaluru wants to travel nationally
Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Patna, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Bagdogra, Guwahati
Total searches were 24.86 lakh. - The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Hyderabadis want to travel to nationally
Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Tirupati, Varanasi, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Chandigarh.
Total searches were 10.98 lakh. - The top 15 destinations Chennai travelers searched nationally.
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Port,Blair, Goa, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Pune, Kochi, Guwahati, Madurai, Patna, Srinagar
Total searches were 90.5 lakh. - The top 15 destinations Kolkata travelers searched nationally.
Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Port Blair, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Agartala, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar
Total searches were 10.97 lakh.
Indians also searched for some strange locations where there were no direct flights or fewer flights available:
Lucknow to Gangtok, Lucknow to Puducherry, Mumbai to Leh, Pune to Goa, Srinagar to Mumbai and Delhi to Shirdi, Deoghar to Kochi, Lucknow to Imphal, Agra to Jaipur, Gaya to Chennai and Nasik to Varanasi
Total searches were 10.97 lakh.
In terms of overall tourist numbers, Indonesia welcomed a staggering 11.67 million visitors in 2023, almost double the number in 2022. Bali alone received 5.23 million visitors, accounting for nearly half of Indonesia’s total tourism arrivals. To boost arrivals from India, plans for Vistara direct flights from Bombay and strengthening Delhi departures are in the pipeline.
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FCM Travel India, leading global corporate travel management company, hosted its inaugural FCM Corporate Travel Summit in Mumbai in collaboration with the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). The summit brought together over 150 industry professionals and decision-makers to explore the latest trends and innovations shaping India’s business travel landscape.
The event featured insightful sessions covering a wide range of topics including business travel trends, technological advancements, meetings and events, and sustainability initiatives. With India emerging as the 9th largest travel market globally for business travel spending, representing 5.7 per cent of the Asia Pacific region’s spending, the summit underscored the country’s growing significance in the corporate travel sector.
On the ocassion, Sunny Sodhi, Managing Director, FCM Travel India, highlighted the robust growth trajectory of India’s business travel spending. “India is the 9th largest travel market in the world for business travel spending. It is the 4th largest market for the Asia Pacific region, representing 5.7 per cent of business travel spending in the region. In 2023, India’s business travel spending grew 24.7 per cent and we anticipate an 18.3 per cent increase in spending in 2024.”
Manpreet Bindra, FCM Meetings & Events Leader, Asia, emphasised the evolving trends in the meetings and events industry, highlighting the adoption of technology-enabled events and a rising demand for wellness and luxurious experiences among business travelers.
“It is going to be an exceptional year for the meetings and events industry. Technology-enabled events are here to stay, and we use artificial intelligence and virtual reality to enhance and elevate guest experiences. We have also seen a strong demand for wellness, well-being, and even luxurious experiences,” he said.
Under both mild and severe scenarios, it is projected that by the end of 2024, South Asia will attract 25 million and 60 million visitors, respectively. On the other end, India’s attractiveness to tourists is expected to improve by 2026. Prof Haiyan Song, Research Head at PATA, and Dean of Hospitality and Tourism at Hong Kong Polytechnic University shares more insights.
Bertrand Saillet, Managing Director, FCM Travel Asia, stressed on the strong performance of the Asia region, with a notable 44 per cent increase in revenue, driven by robust growth in Southeast Asia, India, and the reopening of China. This signals promising growth opportunities for India and Southeast Asia in the coming fiscal year.Catherine Logan, Regional Vice President of EMEA & APAC at GBTA, projected a promising outlook for India’s business travel spending, forecasting a return to pre-pandemic spending levels by 2025 and a potential surpassing of pre-COVID levels by 2027, indicative of the country’s resilience and growth potential in the corporate travel sector.
“India will fully reach pre-2019 spending levels by 2025 and is expected to reach 120 per cent of its pre-COVID business travel spend in 2027,” she added.
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