INDIA; Indians Advanced Technicaly, Business Travellers In Asia

Business travellers in India are most likely to book flights online in Asia, according to a recent study.

Findings from a study conducted by Singapore Tourism Board and travel technology firm Amadeus said 85% of Indian business travellers booked online for flights while 64% choose online services for hotel reservations.

"Indian business travellers demand digital services and are willing to pay for these and other add-ons from their own pockets," the study reported, which looked at business travel trends in key Asian markets China, Japan, Indonesia, Singapore and India.

It found the Indian market had the highest online penetration, which is increasingly being driven by mobile.

The study concludes Indian travellers want freedom and flexibility to make their own bookings through a preferred online platform or personally via their company's online booking tool.

"The conventional mode of booking tickets offline is fading away as Indians now want to be empowered and make their own bookings. The majority of our corporate customers have now shifted to online wherein we have given them a booking tool with all the content and they can book their own tickets," said Indiver Rastogi, chief operating officer of Thomas Cook India.

The study also found Indians were second only to Chinese travellers when it comes to mixing business with pleasure, and are more likely to pay out of their own pocket for additional services such as hotel and flight upgrades, spa services or high-end meals.