OUTBOUND TRAVEL Shifting Goalpoasts!
Travel Trade Journal|TTJ February 2024
The post-COVID outbound market in India has sprung many surprises and some notable shifts and changes. Today, there is a growing tribe of travellers willing to travel at whatever cost to their bucket list of aspirational destinations. TTJ spoke to some dynamic industry players to understand how 2023 was for companies and what is new for 2024.
Gurjit Singh Ahuja
OUTBOUND TRAVEL Shifting Goalpoasts!

Major Shifts and Changes 

Aspirational and experiential travel are ruling the roost today. The traveller has now evolved and is more willing to explore newer destinations and create experiences and memories rather than just travel for the sake of a vacation. They are now opting for longer and unique itineraries that offer the real essence of a destination. Pankaj Nagpal, Managing Director, Travstarz Global Group, explains, "Shopping, which used to be a very important factor for the Indian traveller, has now taken a back seat. Travellers today prefer to spend on better hotels, food, and the distinct experiences that a destination has to offer. We have seen this new trend even with senior citizens who are now keen travellers looking to enjoy their golden years.”

Tejbir Anand, Founder, and Managing Director, Holiday Moods Adventures, elaborates, "Earlier, not many Indians were heard travelling to places like Antarctica and Greenland, but now every year there are over a hundred passengers visiting these destinations. Destination weddings overseas are also a great new trend that has caught up, with a lot of celebrities leading the way. Rohit Shorey, Founder and CEO, Kazin DMC, also added, “There has been a growing interest in offbeat and experiential destinations with an increased inclination towards wellness and adventure tourism. The choice of destinations that we represent and their proximity to India, combined with limited visa hassles, appeal to the Indian traveller, enhancing business for these countries.”

This story is from the TTJ February 2024 edition of Travel Trade Journal.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the TTJ February 2024 edition of Travel Trade Journal.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM TRAVEL TRADE JOURNALView All
EgyptAir plans expansion of Cairo-Delhi Service to daily flights
Travel Trade Journal

EgyptAir plans expansion of Cairo-Delhi Service to daily flights

Egypt’s national carrier, EgyptAir recently celebrated its 92 years of operations and awarded its top performing agents at a ceremony organised at the Le Meridien New Delhi.

time-read
1 min  |
TTJ June 2024
Malaysia Airlines increases flight frequency from Amritsar to seven times weekly
Travel Trade Journal

Malaysia Airlines increases flight frequency from Amritsar to seven times weekly

Due to strong travel demand and positive load factor performance on the Amritsar-Kuala Lumpur route, Malaysia Airlines will increase its frequency from four to seven times weekly starting August 1, 2024. Previously, the airline doubled its frequency from two to four times weekly in January 2024, reflecting confidence in this market.

time-read
1 min  |
TTJ June 2024
TryGulf stands out at ATM 2024 Fruitful collaborations and unforgettable Arabian journeys
Travel Trade Journal

TryGulf stands out at ATM 2024 Fruitful collaborations and unforgettable Arabian journeys

Stepping into the vibrant atmosphere of the Arabian Travel Market ATM 2024), TryGulf’s booth exuded an irresistible allure and radiated warmth and hospitality. It beckoned attendees to embark on a captivating journey through the treasures of the Arabian Peninsula.

time-read
2 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
AN OASIS IN THE TIGER COUNTRY Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore
Travel Trade Journal

AN OASIS IN THE TIGER COUNTRY Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore

Wildlife lovers have a new luxurious address to launch their jungle escapades into the tiger lands of Ranthambore. Bookmark Resorts, Jogi Mahal, Ranthambore, now in its first season of operations, is all set to welcome guests seeking a wilderness experience blended with sophistication and comfort.

time-read
4 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
An Idyllic Sri Lankan Escape with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts
Travel Trade Journal

An Idyllic Sri Lankan Escape with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts

As I step off my restful SriLankan Airlines flight from Delhi to Colombo, Sri Lanka, I eagerly look forward to my tropical adventure with Cinnamon Hotels and Resorts. With an array of attractive properties nestled in prime locales across Sri Lanka, the promise of a memorable journey calls out, which I simply cannot wait to experience.

time-read
3 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
Area 83 aims to broaden accessibility to its unique adventure experiences
Travel Trade Journal

Area 83 aims to broaden accessibility to its unique adventure experiences

Adventure tourism in India is on the rise, with travellers increasingly craving unique and exhilarating experiences that offer an escape from mundane life. Tariq Sheriff, Director, Area 83, is at the forefront of this trend, and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to establish A rea 83, an acclaimed adventure resort in Bengaluru, capturing the essence of the region. With us, he shares more about the resort, curated under his visionary leadership.

time-read
3 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
VITS Hotels and Resorts pioneering four-star hospitality
Travel Trade Journal

VITS Hotels and Resorts pioneering four-star hospitality

The VITS brand distinguishes itself by its steady focus on rooms and the food and beverage segment. Today, the VITS brand, launched in 2006 by Dr Vikram Kamat, CMD, The VITS Kamats Group, has forged a path of unparalleled hospitality and culinary excellence, setting new standards in the hospitality industry. Read more the brand and its ventures...about

time-read
3 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
Unveiling Dubai's tourism landscape and its journey to ascendancy
Travel Trade Journal

Unveiling Dubai's tourism landscape and its journey to ascendancy

On the sidelines of ATM 2024, with Bader Ali Habib, Regional Head of Proximity Markets, Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism DET) we gain invaluable insights into Dubai’s future as a global tourism powerhouse. With a strategic focus on enriching tourism offerings, cultivating key markets like India, and championing sustainability, Dubai is poised to solidify its status as one of the world’s premier destinations for many years to come.

time-read
5 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
Planning a Birthday Celebration in a Luxury Villa
Travel Trade Journal

Planning a Birthday Celebration in a Luxury Villa

Are your clients looking for a unique way to celebrate a milestone birthday?

time-read
3 mins  |
TTJ June 2024
Pride Hotels targets 100-plus properties by 2030 with robust pipeline of new projects
Travel Trade Journal

Pride Hotels targets 100-plus properties by 2030 with robust pipeline of new projects

As part of its ambitious roadmap, the Pride Hotels Group aspires to manage and own 100-plus hotels by 2030 from the current chain of around 60, including new signings. SP Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Pride Hotels Group, envisions positioning the group as a premier upscale hospitality company. Emphasising distinctive Indian hospitality, the group aims to surpass guest expectations while nurturing talent and offering opportunities for growth and development to its associates.

time-read
3 mins  |
TTJ June 2024