Tech to improve cost effectiveness

Caper Travel Company is investing in developing travel technology and automising packaged tours to increase efficiency of services offered to its clients. Bharat Bhushan Atree, Managing Director, Caper Travel Company, elaborates on the impact of increasin

QHow has business fared for you till now? There was an apprehension regarding an overall growth in the tourism sector ever since the season began this year. Little was anticipated, but in the first quarter of 2017, we achieved substantial growth and the summer season saw an admirable interest among Spanish tourists to India. The feedback that we received for the initiatives we launched this year has been very encouraging and favourable. This has also been one of the rationales contributing to our significant growth, quarter by quarter this year, as compared to that in 2016. The responses from new markets have started trickling in and are gradually multiplying. Tours to Sri Lanka have also responded very well.

QWhat are your expectations from the remainder of the year? Our winter season is about to kick- off and we are expecting a favourable demand this year in the charter segment along with travel for Ayurveda and wellness. Some of the travellers today want to book and travel immediately, leaving a small window between booking date and travel date. With reservations pouring in for the past couple of months, the last quarter looks promising as well. The only deterrent to the industry currently is GST, which has elevated the supply cost, in turn magnifying the eventual pricing of travel.

QWhich segment of travel do you see growing in 2018?

The Caper Group has always led the way in tours from many countries to India. Our various fixed departure group tour series and travel for Ayurveda have all done exceeding well. The main reasons that have attributed to this are the stabilisation of currency after demonetisation, relative steadfastness in the political sphere and inclusion of new ventures in South America in our core markets. Nepal has reopened after a devastating earthquake and there is a keen interest for Sri Lanka as well from international clients. It is difficult to say which segment will grow in the coming year as the market is ever changing and so are the dynamics. Inbound travellers look forward to packages combining India and neighbouring countries while the home market is always expanding as people look to travel to new and unique destinations.

QPlease share your growth plans for 2018 and details of upcoming products.

We have two fundamental plans– to explore and infiltrate new markets and secondly, expand our product line for our existing market; this works well with us. We are geared up and awaiting a splendid season. We are also investing heavily on development of travel technology and automatising of package tours. With this process, our sales and operation will increase manifold and efficiency will ease in, managing the entire process from booking until the departure of tourists from the country.

Technology can greatly expand the volume of business and the element of human error is reduced. In today’s time, it is an unavoidable necessity to be tech savvy as it has a huge impact on business. Thus, we need to adapt to the changes to keep ourselves afloat and anchored.

QApart from the usual inbound tourism products, which destinations do you think the industry should focus on to grow inbound?

India has a stunning terrain, beautiful landscapes, varied cultures and delicious cuisines. We need to promote off-roading, which is participative, and experiential travel, which is niche but getting popular. There are many circuits and routes less travelled. It can be the rugged Himalayas, mysterious wildlife trails, and mystic cultural circuits. Caper has expertise and experience of operating such tours. We operate biking tours including Harley Davidson Club in eastern Konkon region, and off-roading in Ladakh and Himachal Pradesh. A group of motor enthusiasts from Malaysia shipped their SUVs to Chennai and had travelled northwards and explored eastern India, Bhutan, Nepal, China, and Thailand. This is quite non-touristic and adventurous.

We are geared up and awaiting a splendid season. We are also investing heavily on development of travel technology and automatising of package tours. With this process, our sales and operation will increase entire process from booking until the departure of tourists from the country. Bharat Bhushan Atree Managing Director, Caper Travel Company