What is the most visible trend among Indian outbound travelers? Do they still rush for the cheapest deals and count their dimes when they are holidaying abroad?
That's slowly but surely becoming a blast from the past. Indians are opting for hotels in higher categories — they're trading up from three- star hotels to four stars and higher. It mirrors the rise in disposable incomes of outbound travelers. Indians in Europe, on average, spend Euro 105- plus per person per night on hotel accommodation, which is Euro 5 more than what their European counterparts are prepared to pay.
Does that mean Indians today no longer hesitate to spend on the good things of life when they go on holidays abroad?
Indians are no longer coy about splurging on luxuries when they travel abroad. Upper- crust Indian travelers today spend, on average, Euro 6,816 per person (including airfare) when they are holidaying in Europe.
Budgets have ceased to be a constraint for them because they seek out good food, great experiences and designer clothes. Indians may hunt for bargains before setting off on a vacation, but once they're at their destination, they spend in a big way.
In what other ways are the new outwardly mobile Indians making it abundantly clear that they are different from their parents?
If they book a cruise holiday, they don't settle for anything less than the sea- facing cabins or the ones with balconies. Even those traveling abroad are spending differently. Banyan Tree is one of our clients and its resorts in Thailand have seen a 100 per cent growth in Indian occupancy in the two years we have been representing them. No Indian who checks into a Banyan Tree goes for anything other than a pool villa. And honeymooning couples go for double- pool villas. None of these villas comes for less than $ 400- 600 a night.
Is this the reason why South- East Asia leads the growth in outbound travel from India?
It has more to do with greater air connectivity. Malaysia Airlines, which already operates 40 flights a week from five centres, is considering the possibility of two flights a day. Air Asia is opening up new sectors with direct flights — most recently, Phuket.
More flights mean more agents, more advertising and a greater buildup for the destination.
Of course, South- East Asia is the hardy perennial.
What about the new destinations that are getting popular?
Monaco, Kenya and the Philippines — the events and MICE ( Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions) markets are moving to these new destinations. Last month, we had an Indian wedding attended by 600 people in Monaco — the functions took place at Monaco's Opera de Monte Carlo, where the groom came atop a horse, hiphop star Akon performed and a lavish Indian spread was laid out.
It was such a big event ( the tab was reported to be $ 10 million, or ` 44 crore) that the Prince of Monaco, who's getting married this year, joined the celebrations.
Destination weddings are getting bigger. What is the next big thing for the Indian outbound travel market?Spa holidays. The travel trade is yet to cash in on the growing propensity of Indians to spend on wellness when they're abroad.
But I foresee spa packages doing very well.
That's slowly but surely becoming a blast from the past. Indians are opting for hotels in higher categories — they're trading up from three- star hotels to four stars and higher. It mirrors the rise in disposable incomes of outbound travelers. Indians in Europe, on average, spend Euro 105- plus per person per night on hotel accommodation, which is Euro 5 more than what their European counterparts are prepared to pay.
Does that mean Indians today no longer hesitate to spend on the good things of life when they go on holidays abroad?
Indians are no longer coy about splurging on luxuries when they travel abroad. Upper- crust Indian travelers today spend, on average, Euro 6,816 per person (including airfare) when they are holidaying in Europe.
Budgets have ceased to be a constraint for them because they seek out good food, great experiences and designer clothes. Indians may hunt for bargains before setting off on a vacation, but once they're at their destination, they spend in a big way.
In what other ways are the new outwardly mobile Indians making it abundantly clear that they are different from their parents?
If they book a cruise holiday, they don't settle for anything less than the sea- facing cabins or the ones with balconies. Even those traveling abroad are spending differently. Banyan Tree is one of our clients and its resorts in Thailand have seen a 100 per cent growth in Indian occupancy in the two years we have been representing them. No Indian who checks into a Banyan Tree goes for anything other than a pool villa. And honeymooning couples go for double- pool villas. None of these villas comes for less than $ 400- 600 a night.
Is this the reason why South- East Asia leads the growth in outbound travel from India?
It has more to do with greater air connectivity. Malaysia Airlines, which already operates 40 flights a week from five centres, is considering the possibility of two flights a day. Air Asia is opening up new sectors with direct flights — most recently, Phuket.
More flights mean more agents, more advertising and a greater buildup for the destination.
Of course, South- East Asia is the hardy perennial.
What about the new destinations that are getting popular?
Monaco, Kenya and the Philippines — the events and MICE ( Meetings Incentives Conventions Exhibitions) markets are moving to these new destinations. Last month, we had an Indian wedding attended by 600 people in Monaco — the functions took place at Monaco's Opera de Monte Carlo, where the groom came atop a horse, hiphop star Akon performed and a lavish Indian spread was laid out.
It was such a big event ( the tab was reported to be $ 10 million, or ` 44 crore) that the Prince of Monaco, who's getting married this year, joined the celebrations.
Destination weddings are getting bigger. What is the next big thing for the Indian outbound travel market?Spa holidays. The travel trade is yet to cash in on the growing propensity of Indians to spend on wellness when they're abroad.
But I foresee spa packages doing very well.
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