Vol. XXVIII Issue 12; June 2 June XXVIIIIssue12; Vol. ddppl.com nd fortnight i ssue 2016 fortnight i A DDPPUBLICATION Wellness Talk TravTalkIndia.comkIndia.com Pages : 36+28 Pages Supplement-Wellness Talk Supplement-Wellness 36+28Pages : Pages ` 50/- The business of sharing Sharing economy is anything but a new phenomenon. Several industry players have welcomed this strategy with open arms and its success has taken no time to create a stir. While on one hand it poses a threat to traditional travel agencies, it has definitely opened avenues manifold for those who have ventured into adopting this business model. AHANA GURUNG Sharing economy is a The positives of sharing boon because it’s getting people economy would of course be the most efficient utilisation of resourc- On the principle of ‘unused used to the Internet and that’s the es and assets with the best pos- value is wasted value,’ the key players way the world is moving forward. sible quality. Does this mean that of sharing economy are growing at a Currently, every development points there will be pressure on people to stupendous rate. Of course, the tra- towards technology which is not only perform? Yes, but, I also think it will ditional industries have suffered due setting the bar high in the industry, lead to more creativity and better to the upswing of shared economy - but also brings convenience to the quality in services, more openness especially in the travel industry. In the game. However, it puts pressure and transparency. In India, however, present scenario, it has helped com- on traditional agents to keep evolv- Ankush Nijhawan ing and adopting technology so that Raja Natesan any change is regarded with scep- moners to find pocket friendly accom- Co-founder & CEO CEO, UniGlobe ticism. With the sharing economy, modation and travel solutions even Travel Boutique Online we can be on par with international Travel (South Asia) the early adapters and adopters will Sandeep Dwivedi while going abroad. However, this standards. This revolution can change COO the face of the travel industry and maximise resources as well as benefit greatly. InterGlobe Technology Quotient does not mean that traditional busi- nesses should remain passive. The opportunities for the people involved in the sector. change in scenario calls for reinvention. The emergence of these new business models are definitely Sharing economy as a concept is here to stay. It is an op- a boon to the travel industry. An increase in customer base is ex- portunity for entrepreneurs in the travel industry to partner and grow pected and the sharing economy will definitely create new custom- the pie. Cost of travel will come down and more people would travel. ers, who may start spending on travel using this affordable way of What’s driving this change is a fundamental shift in approach in doing travelling. This also means that people will tend to travel more. Ease business at a lower cost and this is possible with technological and of booking using these models will actually make last-minute travel, social advancement. You will see an exponential growth in travel and weekend travel or extension of business trips to a holiday much eas- this would benefit the travel industry in a big way. It’s all about keeping ier. It will create employment opportunity and add another source of pace with trends and reaping the benefits of it. income for locals in tourist destinations. It might pose some tough Dipak Deva competition to existing players in the travel industry, but the net result Karan Anand Managing Director will be positive for the sector as a whole. Head-Relationships Travel Corporation India Cox & Kings Need for consolidated South While most tour operators claim that Kerala rules the roost in attracting tourists to South India, other states in the region also need to up their game to promote and develop tourism products. TRAVTALK gauges the industry’s opinion on how South India is faring in terms of tourism. NISHA VERMA Rationalise taxes Multilingual guides Focused approach South India has always In the South, we mostly do There are many things been called ‘Sunny South India’ a two week itinerary with Tamil Nadu in South India to attract and has a lot of variety and attrac- which finishes in Kerala. Karnataka tourists — lovely beaches, tem- tions to offer. All the South Indian is also getting attention as it can be ples, backwaters. Roads are pretty states have got substantial funds combined with Goa. However, the good, especially the ones con- for tourism promotion, infrastruc- infrastructure and distances are still necting Hyderabad to Bengaluru ture development and festivals. a matter of concern. But the biggest to Chennai. However, there is Tourism transport in South India is challenge in South India is the avail- E. M. Najeeb very expensive, owing to high taxes a need to market these states Deepak Bhatnagar ability of guides who are thorough Chairman & MD imposed by the states. They should well. Instead of promoting entire Managing Director with the languages. Those who are, Air Travel Enterprises Group country as Incredible India, they have better coordination for smooth Aamantaran Travel they like to work on their own terms, Ganesh Rao need to segregate and give South travel within these states, and taxes which may not be practical. Having General Manager should be rationalised. This would act as an opportunity to Ascon Travel India a special focus. said that, I would say that there is huge potential in the South develop tourism. which needs to be explored. Unite to promote Invest in promotion Explore beyond Kerala After Kerala, Karnataka is We’ve sold Golden Trian- The most popular destina- the next big thing with Hampi being gle for many years and South India tion in South India is Kerala, much in demand. While the South is now picking up. Even the margins which is doing very well because of its Indian states are doing marketing, are better in South India as compared marketing campaign. We are thankful they are only participating in local to North India. It is much beyond that Kerala Travel Mart (KTM) is or- trade fairs, and not the international Kerala and one can actually get ganised every two years. Other South ones. And all the states are partici- a 14 day itinerary which includes Indian states should also organise pating independently. They should Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad such marts. Puducherry, Mahabli- sit together and decide to market and Cochin. All the states are doing puram and Tamil Nadu are popular P. P. Khanna Paramjit S. Duggal themselves as a region, so that they very well in terms of marketing. How- Homa Mistry destinations. In fact, it is the safest re- Executive Director Director can create more awareness. CEO gion in India and gets a huge number of Minar Travels ever, it is the advertising part where Trail Blazer Tours India Diplomatic Travel Point they are lacking. domestic tourists. Transnational Buddhist Circuit The Indo-Nepal Buddhist Circuit will encompass Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, Rajgir and Kushinagar in Bihar, Sarnath and Shravasti in Uttar Pradesh, along with Kapilavastu and Lumbini in Nepal. AHANA GURUNG However, Billa mentioned in Varanasi, Sarnath and We want to tap the huge segment of Buddhist that several bottlenecks need Bodh Gaya. The three-day he Ministry of Tourism to be cleared to ensure the event is expected to host as Twill soon roll out the first pilgrims that visit other countries in South East Asia integrated circuit runs in a many as 500 monks from transnational Buddhist Circuit and give them an unparalleled experience by open- smooth manner. “Currently, the ASEAN countries. between India and Nepal as visa is the main issue but since part of the route under the ing the routes to neighbouring countries. India does double entry for eTV is on the Swadesh Darshan scheme. have a lot of sacred Buddhist sites but with Nepal cards, this issue is more or less MOT Highlights While a major part of the Bud- addressed. Travel agents and International Buddhist dhist relics and pilgrimage involved, the journey becomes all the more tour operators also need to Conclave from October sites are situated in India, a comprehensive and detailed. create relevant and offbeat itin- 3-5, 2016 huge chunk encompasses eraries that will instantly attract Suman Billa ‘Short term yoga plan’ Nepal, which is also the birth more tourists.” He added that Joint Secretary activity box to be included place of Lord Buddha. infrastructure is being devel- Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in Tourist Visa and oped with allocated funds un- e-Tourist Visa Shedding light on the de- der the government’s Swadesh Ministry of Tourism forms velopment, Suman Billa, Joint countries. India does have a have since shown inter- Darshan scheme. action plan for B&B and Secretary – Tourism, said, “We lot of sacred Buddhist sites est in this initiative and the The map of the circuit Homestays want to tap the huge segment but with Nepal involved, the ministry plans to take discus- proposed by the ministry com- In a bid to promote the of Buddhist pilgrims that visit journey becomes all the more sions further with them. They prises Bodh Gaya, Vaishali, country’s potential for Bud- MoU between India and other countries in South East comprehensive and detailed.” are also keen on including Sri Rajgir and Kushinagar in Bihar; dhist pilgrimage, the ministry the US to facilitate hassle-free entry of Asia and give them an unpar- Lanka to the circuit since the Sarnath and Shravasti in Uttar will also be organising the Indians into the US at alleled experience by opening Billa further stated that island nation has a rich his- Pradesh; along with Kapilavas- International Buddhist Con- selected airports the routes to neighbouring several other SAARC nations tory of Buddhism.