In a shocking case, Tamil Nadu Police has arrested a woman from Gudiyattam in Vellore for allegedly chopping of the genital of her husband after an argument over extra-marital affair.
Police said, the woman identified as Sarasu, a 30-year-old mother of four took the extreme step on Thursday night.
The couple had been married for 14 years, but they were living separated for nearly a year. Earlier this month they had come together on the request of their eldest son who had just turned 13 years old.
Even though they were living together, the couple used to fight accusing the other person of having extramarital affair.
On Thursday night, the police said they were fighting well into the night.
The quarrel continued till 2am on Thursday and he went to sleep. Around 3am, Sarasu brought a sharp knife from the kitchen and cut off her husband's penis and left the house with the chopped off part, said special sub-inspector of police A Krishnamoorthy.
The husband, identified as Jagadeesan was taken to a local hospital by his neighbours after they heard him crying with pain.
Police arrested Sarasu while she was on her way to her parents house and recovered the chopped-off part from her purse.
Jagadeesan who was later referred to the Government Vellore Medical College Hospital has undergone a surgery and according to the doctors he is 'out of danger'.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label India travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label India travel. Show all posts
Friday, 21 July 2017
INDIA: Trains Serve Contaminated Food, Unpurified Water, Rats And Cockroaches Found On Trains
A joint audit by the Comptroller and Auditor General and the Railways has revealed alarming facts: contaminated and recycled food, unpurified water direct from taps and other edibles unfit for consumption is being served on trains and stations.
Rats and cockroaches were found in many of the 80 trains and 74 stations audited.
Proper menus and bills aren't being issued to passengers either.
While basics suffer, railways focuses on luxuries
This report comes a month after the railways introduced luxury food items from Domino's, KFC, McDonalds and more on select trains and stations.
It's not just food it is working on. In May, it announced it will launch a content-on-demand service to let passengers stream movies and TV shows while travelling.
But luxury has to come after basic services are made ideal.
A Comptroller and Auditor General audit report on the catering services in the Indian Railways, to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, has observed that food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations.
The audit has found fault with frequent changes in catering policy of the railways that have created a state of uncertainty in management of catering services provided to the passengers. An inspection has revealed cleanliness and hygiene are not being maintained, bills are not being given for the food items served in mobile units in trains, besides several deficiencies in food quality.
During the joint inspection of the CAG team and the railways at selected 74 stations and 80 trains, the audit noticed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains.
Un-purified water straight from tap was used in preparation of beverages, waste bins were not found covered, not emptied regularly and not washed, food stuff were not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in trains etc," the audit observed.
Neither were bills provided to passengers for food items served in trains, nor printed menu cards with tariff for the list of items sold in the mobile units were available with waiters and catering managers in any of the trains inspected.
Food stuff served was less than the prescribed quantity, unapproved packaged drinking water was sold,the report has said and pointed out that prices of food articles sold in railway premises was significantly higher than the open market.
A Comptroller and Auditor General audit report on the catering services in the Indian Railways, to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, has observed that food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations.
Articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, shelf life expired packaged and bottled items, unauthorised brands of water bottles, etc., were offered for sale on stations, CAG noted.
The report says the mess has been created due to frequent policy changes and the failure of the Indian Railways to take effective steps to bridge the gap to provide necessary infrastructure in terms of base kitchens, static catering units, and automatic vending machines etc.
Blueprint for provision of catering services was not prepared in seven Zonal Railways. The policy of progressive switch over from gas burners to electric power equipment in pantry cars to avoid the occurrence of fire accidents in trains was not followed while manufacturing the pantry cars in Integral Coach Factory, Perambur,the report said.
Earlier this year, catering scam in Indian Railways had made headlines where items as small as curd had been bought at inflated prices.
Now, another malpractice going on in various trains have surfaced, where food is being served at an inflated price. Neelabh Khanikar, through social media, has brought another malpractice to the light.
Bareilly resident, Khanikar, was travelling from Duliajan to Dimapur on the New Tinsukia Rajendra Nagar Patna Express with his family, when he bought two plates of egg biryani.
Khanikar paid Rs 80 for each plate of biryani, but he grew suspicious and went to the pantry is asked for the menu. There, he found that actual price of one plate egg biriyani was Rs 63 instead of charged Rs 80.
Khanikar asked the person concerned why was he charged more than the given price. Since Khanikar was recording video of his conversation, no one spoke anything.
Khanikar was asked to stop recording and talk, but he refused, saying that he will bring the matter to the notice of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
The officials say that they had overcharged by mistake, and didn’t realise the actual price of the food, finally agreeing to return the extra money to him.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Rats and cockroaches were found in many of the 80 trains and 74 stations audited.
Proper menus and bills aren't being issued to passengers either.
While basics suffer, railways focuses on luxuries
This report comes a month after the railways introduced luxury food items from Domino's, KFC, McDonalds and more on select trains and stations.
It's not just food it is working on. In May, it announced it will launch a content-on-demand service to let passengers stream movies and TV shows while travelling.
But luxury has to come after basic services are made ideal.
A Comptroller and Auditor General audit report on the catering services in the Indian Railways, to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, has observed that food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations.
The audit has found fault with frequent changes in catering policy of the railways that have created a state of uncertainty in management of catering services provided to the passengers. An inspection has revealed cleanliness and hygiene are not being maintained, bills are not being given for the food items served in mobile units in trains, besides several deficiencies in food quality.
During the joint inspection of the CAG team and the railways at selected 74 stations and 80 trains, the audit noticed that cleanliness and hygiene were not being maintained at catering units at stations and in trains.
Un-purified water straight from tap was used in preparation of beverages, waste bins were not found covered, not emptied regularly and not washed, food stuff were not covered to protect them from flies, insects and dust, rats and cockroaches were found in trains etc," the audit observed.
Neither were bills provided to passengers for food items served in trains, nor printed menu cards with tariff for the list of items sold in the mobile units were available with waiters and catering managers in any of the trains inspected.
Food stuff served was less than the prescribed quantity, unapproved packaged drinking water was sold,the report has said and pointed out that prices of food articles sold in railway premises was significantly higher than the open market.
A Comptroller and Auditor General audit report on the catering services in the Indian Railways, to be tabled in Parliament on Friday, has observed that food articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, packaged and bottled items past their shelf life and unauthorised brands of water bottles were offered for sale at stations.
Articles unsuitable for human consumption, contaminated foodstuff, recycled foodstuff, shelf life expired packaged and bottled items, unauthorised brands of water bottles, etc., were offered for sale on stations, CAG noted.
The report says the mess has been created due to frequent policy changes and the failure of the Indian Railways to take effective steps to bridge the gap to provide necessary infrastructure in terms of base kitchens, static catering units, and automatic vending machines etc.
Blueprint for provision of catering services was not prepared in seven Zonal Railways. The policy of progressive switch over from gas burners to electric power equipment in pantry cars to avoid the occurrence of fire accidents in trains was not followed while manufacturing the pantry cars in Integral Coach Factory, Perambur,the report said.
Earlier this year, catering scam in Indian Railways had made headlines where items as small as curd had been bought at inflated prices.
Now, another malpractice going on in various trains have surfaced, where food is being served at an inflated price. Neelabh Khanikar, through social media, has brought another malpractice to the light.
Bareilly resident, Khanikar, was travelling from Duliajan to Dimapur on the New Tinsukia Rajendra Nagar Patna Express with his family, when he bought two plates of egg biryani.
Khanikar paid Rs 80 for each plate of biryani, but he grew suspicious and went to the pantry is asked for the menu. There, he found that actual price of one plate egg biriyani was Rs 63 instead of charged Rs 80.
Khanikar asked the person concerned why was he charged more than the given price. Since Khanikar was recording video of his conversation, no one spoke anything.
Khanikar was asked to stop recording and talk, but he refused, saying that he will bring the matter to the notice of Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.
The officials say that they had overcharged by mistake, and didn’t realise the actual price of the food, finally agreeing to return the extra money to him.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Monday, 17 July 2017
INDIA: 16 Tourist Pilgrims Dead, 27 Injured In Bus Accident
At least 16 Hindu pilgrims were killed and 27 others injured Sunday after a bus carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
The accident took place in Ramban district, about 107 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
This afternoon a pilgrim bus skidded off the road and fell into Nashrana Nallah on Srinagar Jammu highway, a police spokesman said.
At least 16 pilgrims were killed on spot, while 19 are seriously injured and eight others have suffered minor injuries.
Following the accident police and locals rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work and retrieve bodies.
The critical ones have been airlifted to Jammu, while as others with minor injuries have been referred to the nearest hospitals.
The annual pilgrimage to Hindi shrine of Amarnath began on June 29. More than 100,000 pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the cave shrine perched high in the Himalayas.
Deadly road accidents are common in India often caused by overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.
Rescuers transfer the injured near the site where a bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Ramban district, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 16, 2017.
At least 16 Hindu pilgrims were killed and 27 others injured Sunday after a bus carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
The accident took place in Ramban district, about 107 km south of Srinagar city, the summer capital of Indian-controlled Kashmir.
This afternoon a pilgrim bus skidded off the road and fell into Nashrana Nallah on Srinagar Jammu highway, a police spokesman said.
At least 16 pilgrims were killed on spot, while 19 are seriously injured and eight others have suffered minor injuries.
Following the accident police and locals rushed to the spot to carry out rescue work and retrieve bodies.
The critical ones have been airlifted to Jammu, while as others with minor injuries have been referred to the nearest hospitals.
The annual pilgrimage to Hindi shrine of Amarnath began on June 29. More than 100,000 pilgrims have so far paid obeisance at the cave shrine perched high in the Himalayas.
Deadly road accidents are common in India often caused by overloading, bad condition of roads and reckless driving.
Rescuers transfer the injured near the site where a bus skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Ramban district, Indian-controlled Kashmir, July 16, 2017.
At least 16 Hindu pilgrims were killed and 27 others injured Sunday after a bus carrying them skidded off the road and fell into a gorge in Indian-controlled Kashmir, police said.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Monday, 3 July 2017
INDIA: Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh Mocked For Peeing In Public
A government minister of India was mocked on social media for urinating in public despite the prime minister's flagship public hygiene drive as pictures of the embarrassing incident were splashed over front pages today.
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh relieved himself against a school wall guarded by his security guards carrying automatic weapons.
Union minister peed in open, sparking a row on social media and along with rivals printed grainy images of the 67-year-old minister standing next to a wall.
The picture was taken in Singh's constituency in Bihar state.
Indian internet users mocked the minister and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Here, the national agriculture minister inaugurating an irrigation scheme in a drought affected region amidst tight security, Rashtriya Janata Dal, a regional political party, quipped as it tweeted the pictures.
The minister also made a contribution to 'Clean India Mission'," the post announced.
'Clean India' is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship programmes to improve public hygiene and cleanliness and encourage people to use public toilets.
Proud to have an agricultural minister like Radha Mohan Singh who waters the grass himself, Santosh Bharadwaj tweeted.
Superb. Proud to have an Agricultural Minister like #Radhamohansingh who waters the grass himself !! pic.twitter.com/tkvNJ4LOyK
— Santosh Bharadwaj (@santo_bharadwaj) June 29, 2017
But Singh's relatives and friends criticised the media for publishing the pictures.
Urinating is a natural biological obligation of a human being, so why are such things highlighted to create a controversy?
Are urinals available everywhere?" Sujit Kumar Singh, his son-in-law, asked.
The minister has made no comment.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Agriculture Minister Radha Mohan Singh relieved himself against a school wall guarded by his security guards carrying automatic weapons.
Union minister peed in open, sparking a row on social media and along with rivals printed grainy images of the 67-year-old minister standing next to a wall.
The picture was taken in Singh's constituency in Bihar state.
Indian internet users mocked the minister and his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Here, the national agriculture minister inaugurating an irrigation scheme in a drought affected region amidst tight security, Rashtriya Janata Dal, a regional political party, quipped as it tweeted the pictures.
The minister also made a contribution to 'Clean India Mission'," the post announced.
'Clean India' is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's flagship programmes to improve public hygiene and cleanliness and encourage people to use public toilets.
Proud to have an agricultural minister like Radha Mohan Singh who waters the grass himself, Santosh Bharadwaj tweeted.
Superb. Proud to have an Agricultural Minister like #Radhamohansingh who waters the grass himself !! pic.twitter.com/tkvNJ4LOyK
— Santosh Bharadwaj (@santo_bharadwaj) June 29, 2017
But Singh's relatives and friends criticised the media for publishing the pictures.
Urinating is a natural biological obligation of a human being, so why are such things highlighted to create a controversy?
Are urinals available everywhere?" Sujit Kumar Singh, his son-in-law, asked.
The minister has made no comment.
Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com
Sunday, 28 May 2017
INDIA: Jet Airways Introduces Third Non-stop Mumbai-London Heathrow Effective October 29, 2017,
Continuing its commitment of providing guests with greater choice, convenience and further strengthening its global footprint, Jet Airways - India’s full-service, premier international airline, today announced the introduction of its third, non-stop, daily service between Mumbai and London Heathrow.
Effective October 29, 2017, and as part of the airline’s forthcoming winter schedule, the new daytime service - 9W 116 will depart from Mumbai at 0905hrs to arrive in London Heathrow at 1335hrs (local time).
On its return, the planned departure for 9W 115 from London Heathrow is at 1530hrs (local time), arriving in Mumbai at 0555hrs, giving guests a head start to their day in India’s economic capital should they wish to make a stopover, be it for business or for leisure.
The new flight will boost Jet Airways’ passenger and cargo capacity between India and the United Kingdom by almost 33 percent, allowing the airline to capitalize on the growing round-the-year demand being witnessed from EU and non-EU countries to India and other emerging economies in the region, on the back of fast expanding relationships in the areas of trade, commerce, tourism, culture, and, education.
The third frequency enhances onward connectivity over London Heathrow to North America with partners Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic.
Jet Airways will now offer improved connection time and 13 destinations over London Heathrow to North America including Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Washington (Virginia).
Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways said, “Jet Airways is delighted to offer a third non-stop service between Mumbai and London Heathrow.
The new frequency will enable us to offer our guests seamless connectivity, choice and convenience with partners Delta Air Lines and Virgin
Atlantic over London Heathrow with a single baggage drop and through check-in. Our world-class experience together with our signature Indian hospitality, makes us stand apart from the competition.” Jet Airways, nominated by TripAdvisor as “India’s Best Airline1” will deploy the biggest aircraft in its fleet – Boeing 777-300ER, offering a three-class configuration that includes the airline’s award-winning ‘First Class’ private suites, 180° lie-flat beds for Business travelers as well as comfortable and ergonomic designed Economy seating, on the new frequency.
Guests will also be able to choose from a carefully-curated menu of delectable international cuisine and experience our cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system, all delivered with the airline’s trademark touch of warm and endearing Indian hospitality.
The new addition will also expand cargo capacity and promote greater access, right from India, SAARC and ASEAN region to London Heathrow facilitating carriage of commodities such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, garments & fabrics, seasonal flowers, packaged foods, specialized medical equipment and supplies.
Effective October 29, 2017, and as part of the airline’s forthcoming winter schedule, the new daytime service - 9W 116 will depart from Mumbai at 0905hrs to arrive in London Heathrow at 1335hrs (local time).
On its return, the planned departure for 9W 115 from London Heathrow is at 1530hrs (local time), arriving in Mumbai at 0555hrs, giving guests a head start to their day in India’s economic capital should they wish to make a stopover, be it for business or for leisure.
The new flight will boost Jet Airways’ passenger and cargo capacity between India and the United Kingdom by almost 33 percent, allowing the airline to capitalize on the growing round-the-year demand being witnessed from EU and non-EU countries to India and other emerging economies in the region, on the back of fast expanding relationships in the areas of trade, commerce, tourism, culture, and, education.
The third frequency enhances onward connectivity over London Heathrow to North America with partners Delta Air Lines and Virgin Atlantic.
Jet Airways will now offer improved connection time and 13 destinations over London Heathrow to North America including Atlanta, Boston, Detroit, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, Newark, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Salt Lake City and Washington (Virginia).
Jayaraj Shanmugam, Chief Commercial Officer, Jet Airways said, “Jet Airways is delighted to offer a third non-stop service between Mumbai and London Heathrow.
The new frequency will enable us to offer our guests seamless connectivity, choice and convenience with partners Delta Air Lines and Virgin
Atlantic over London Heathrow with a single baggage drop and through check-in. Our world-class experience together with our signature Indian hospitality, makes us stand apart from the competition.” Jet Airways, nominated by TripAdvisor as “India’s Best Airline1” will deploy the biggest aircraft in its fleet – Boeing 777-300ER, offering a three-class configuration that includes the airline’s award-winning ‘First Class’ private suites, 180° lie-flat beds for Business travelers as well as comfortable and ergonomic designed Economy seating, on the new frequency.
Guests will also be able to choose from a carefully-curated menu of delectable international cuisine and experience our cutting-edge in-flight entertainment system, all delivered with the airline’s trademark touch of warm and endearing Indian hospitality.
The new addition will also expand cargo capacity and promote greater access, right from India, SAARC and ASEAN region to London Heathrow facilitating carriage of commodities such as perishables, pharmaceuticals, engineering goods, garments & fabrics, seasonal flowers, packaged foods, specialized medical equipment and supplies.
Wednesday, 14 October 2015
Know About Indian Outbound Travellers
Indian outbound traveller 1The UNWTO predicts the Indian outbound travel market will account for 50 million tourists by 2020, and its total outbound spending is expected to cross the US$28 billion mark. This, coupled with the country’s new generation of middle class tourists, set to grow even further, makes it a potential tourist goldmine for thousands of destinations and travel businesses.
Market overview
The second most populated country in the world after China, India is a unique and emerging travel market. It is wise to note, however, that being this a relatively poor country, the majority of Indians still cannot ordinarily afford to travel abroad; so the 18 million departures registered in 2014 represents just a small fraction (barely 2%) of the total population.
Nonetheless, there are many positive factors which are responsible for India’s increased demand for outbound travel: one is its national economy, which has been relatively strong within the last decade; another is India’s middle class which is growing rapidly – currently estimated at almost 300 million, it is set to grow from the current 32% to 50% by 2030; and thirdly, the country’s large diaspora and growing openness to the outside world, in particular from the younger generations. Second only to the Chinese, the number of Indian students studying abroad has risen sharply, in recent years, further stimulating travel abroad.
It is no wonder than, that the world of tourism is starting to take note. Among recent examples are:
Tourism Australia, aiming to get 300,000 Indian tourists by 2020;
The South African Tourism Board too, says India has become one of the key tourism generating nations;
Visit Britain aims to capitalise on the two country’s historical ties and widespread use of the English language, to achieve 80% growth by 2020;
And, in a recent interview, TripAdvisor’s President for the APAC region stated the company intends to be India’s top travel website, by the end of this year.
The Indian Outbound Traveller
Although it can be very difficult to generalise the Indian travel market, as specific destinations will tend to cater to very different segments – i.e., VFR (visiting friends and relatives), leisure or business – significant conclusions can nevertheless be drawn.
There is also a strong distinction between the upper-middle class tourists, who often travel on a budget, and a small but extremely affluent segment, looking for all the prerequisites of luxury travel. Although India is classified as a poor and developing country, its luxury travel market is a relatively big one.
The outbound Indian traveller is more likely to be male (65%), between 25-65 years old, well educated, belongs to the upper socio-economic strata of society; and travels mostly for business purposes (40%), leisure (20%) and visiting friends and family (20%). Top destinations include Thailand and the UAE; thought to be selected due to their geographical proximity, relatively relaxed visa entry requirements, abundance of direct flights, strong business relations and a low currency conversion rate, in the case of Thailand.
The APAC region, according to a new intelligence report, is consistently top for MICE travel, whilst the US, Middle East and Europe are expected to have increased visitation levels for both leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel in the next couple of years.
When travelling for leisure, package tours, with the immediate or extended family, are often preferred. Reasons often cited are the benefits of comfort, safety and the greater potential for group discounts. But as the growth of the single person household is set to continue, on par with the country’s economy, the need for stimulating independent travel (FIT) should not be completely discarded.
Also noticeable is the fact that Indians are taking more frequent holidays. According to data from Indian OTA Makemytrip.com, while five years ago, the average person would typically take an international holiday once every 18-24 months; this frequency is now estimated at once every 12-18 months.
Technology needs
Technology wise, and according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRG (Indian Market Research Bureau), India is now thought to be the second largest internet market globally, overtaking the US and only falling behind China. The same report indicated that India had shown a YOY growth of Internet usage of 32% from 2013 to 2014. This growth can be directly attributed to the decrease in hardware costs and the resulting increase in mobile penetration in the country.
Another interesting trend is the use of social media among Indian travellers. Recent research by Amadeus, places Indian travellers as active users, with 47% of Indians stating to use social media frequently during their travels. Likewise, Tourism Australia discovered 74% of all active internet users in urban India used social media; in particular Facebook, the most accessed social platform, followed by Google+ and LinkedIn.
Nonetheless, according to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) although online distribution channels should be a way forward when it comes to travel purchases, the traditional travel agent still remains tremendously influential in India. The report states 80% of Indian travellers consult with an agent at least during the planning stage. So hotels still need to make sure that both a sound digital strategy, as well as a good relationship with the travel trade, is part of the plan to target Indian travellers.
Market overview
The second most populated country in the world after China, India is a unique and emerging travel market. It is wise to note, however, that being this a relatively poor country, the majority of Indians still cannot ordinarily afford to travel abroad; so the 18 million departures registered in 2014 represents just a small fraction (barely 2%) of the total population.
Nonetheless, there are many positive factors which are responsible for India’s increased demand for outbound travel: one is its national economy, which has been relatively strong within the last decade; another is India’s middle class which is growing rapidly – currently estimated at almost 300 million, it is set to grow from the current 32% to 50% by 2030; and thirdly, the country’s large diaspora and growing openness to the outside world, in particular from the younger generations. Second only to the Chinese, the number of Indian students studying abroad has risen sharply, in recent years, further stimulating travel abroad.
It is no wonder than, that the world of tourism is starting to take note. Among recent examples are:
Tourism Australia, aiming to get 300,000 Indian tourists by 2020;
The South African Tourism Board too, says India has become one of the key tourism generating nations;
Visit Britain aims to capitalise on the two country’s historical ties and widespread use of the English language, to achieve 80% growth by 2020;
And, in a recent interview, TripAdvisor’s President for the APAC region stated the company intends to be India’s top travel website, by the end of this year.
The Indian Outbound Traveller
Although it can be very difficult to generalise the Indian travel market, as specific destinations will tend to cater to very different segments – i.e., VFR (visiting friends and relatives), leisure or business – significant conclusions can nevertheless be drawn.
There is also a strong distinction between the upper-middle class tourists, who often travel on a budget, and a small but extremely affluent segment, looking for all the prerequisites of luxury travel. Although India is classified as a poor and developing country, its luxury travel market is a relatively big one.
The outbound Indian traveller is more likely to be male (65%), between 25-65 years old, well educated, belongs to the upper socio-economic strata of society; and travels mostly for business purposes (40%), leisure (20%) and visiting friends and family (20%). Top destinations include Thailand and the UAE; thought to be selected due to their geographical proximity, relatively relaxed visa entry requirements, abundance of direct flights, strong business relations and a low currency conversion rate, in the case of Thailand.
The APAC region, according to a new intelligence report, is consistently top for MICE travel, whilst the US, Middle East and Europe are expected to have increased visitation levels for both leisure and VFR (visiting friends and relatives) travel in the next couple of years.
When travelling for leisure, package tours, with the immediate or extended family, are often preferred. Reasons often cited are the benefits of comfort, safety and the greater potential for group discounts. But as the growth of the single person household is set to continue, on par with the country’s economy, the need for stimulating independent travel (FIT) should not be completely discarded.
Also noticeable is the fact that Indians are taking more frequent holidays. According to data from Indian OTA Makemytrip.com, while five years ago, the average person would typically take an international holiday once every 18-24 months; this frequency is now estimated at once every 12-18 months.
Technology needs
Technology wise, and according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRG (Indian Market Research Bureau), India is now thought to be the second largest internet market globally, overtaking the US and only falling behind China. The same report indicated that India had shown a YOY growth of Internet usage of 32% from 2013 to 2014. This growth can be directly attributed to the decrease in hardware costs and the resulting increase in mobile penetration in the country.
Another interesting trend is the use of social media among Indian travellers. Recent research by Amadeus, places Indian travellers as active users, with 47% of Indians stating to use social media frequently during their travels. Likewise, Tourism Australia discovered 74% of all active internet users in urban India used social media; in particular Facebook, the most accessed social platform, followed by Google+ and LinkedIn.
Nonetheless, according to the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) although online distribution channels should be a way forward when it comes to travel purchases, the traditional travel agent still remains tremendously influential in India. The report states 80% of Indian travellers consult with an agent at least during the planning stage. So hotels still need to make sure that both a sound digital strategy, as well as a good relationship with the travel trade, is part of the plan to target Indian travellers.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)