Connectivity brings business
With Emirates and Turkish Airlines flying to Florida (USA), the destination has seen a remarkable growth in traveller numbers from India and across the world.
The India market has tremendous potential and there has been a steady increase in tourist visits from here to Florida in the past three years, observes Seldon Tenzing, Account Director India, Visit Florida.
In order to promote themselves, Tenzing has stuck to the conventional method of wooing the travel agents. “Our travel trade partners have been a strong source in driving visitation to Florida. Our prime focus has involved reaching out to the travel trade through educational seminars, missions, trade shows, and sales calls. We also do Fam tours and invite potential agents to participate in and meet our Florida suppliers,” she added. She also said that Indian agents are always eager to learn more about Florida. “Therefore, we developed the e-learning program, www.visitfloridaspecialist.com, which provides in-depth knowledge about the state. With our efforts, Florida is now being included in group packages and we even receive occasional MICE group inquiries,” she claimed.
One of the reasons behind this growth has been increased connectivity to the destination. “In 2016, two airlines, Emirates and Turkish Airlines, added flights to Florida. Visitation from India to Florida rose as well. We are looking forward to 2017 because it has been recognised as the Indo-US tourism year,” revealed Tenzing.
Promotions make for a major strategy to fuel this growth, and Tenzing informed, “We participate in major shows around the globe. Our Fam trips are also a good way to build relationships and showcase the product. Two years ago, we began working with travel companies to participate in a Visit Florida signature event called Florida Huddle, which has brought the Indian agents and the Florida suppliers together.”
The focus, apart from trade will now also be on strategy planning to grow the Free Independent Traveller (FIT) Groups and the MICE segment, revealed Tenzing.