‘The advantage of Indian outbound market is its potential and diversity of travellers it offers’
2021 is a “Year of Hope”, as the industry is facing the most challenging phase and the impact is global. Pandemic has hit all sectors of the Travel & Tourism. Though the vaccine is a ray of hope, it is imperative that the industry get together and prepares for new normal scenarios and practices. Also, the industry at large needs to start educating clients to adopt and start encouraging clients to travel.
Optimistically, initial signs indicate a positive way forward. We have seen a steady increase in domestic as well as international destinations, which have opened up and have flight access. The industry should gear up and should prepare for gradual recovery to reach the levels of the Year 2019 and each stakeholder should be ready to put in all efforts.
Outbound travel from India has always been a major and one of the fastest-growing components of Indian Travel & Tourism. Indian Industry has been actively involved and has been largely focused upon Outbound Tourism from India. NTO’s have seen growth from India and the last two decades highlight the evergrowing NTO’s presence in the market to target their respective travel audiences. The advantage of the Indian outbound market is its potential and the diversity of travellers it offers. The vast array of travel segments are undoubtedly an asset for the NTOs as they can target mass to niche, all at once. Similarly, professionals servicing the Indian market have the bandwidth to cater to a varied clientele.
In the current situation, domestic travel has been the first to resume and followed gradually by outbound. However, the industry cannot survive by catering to only domestic travel it will have to be a mix of Domestic, Outbound and Inbound where outbound brings in a bigger chunk of revenue for the travel trade, servicing the travellers.
It’s time when we all, the people servicing travel and people availing travel have to get used to new normal practices. It may initially look stressful but for the safety and security of all and to combat the challenge the new safety precautions have to be adopted and practised. The people have already started adopting the norms of new normal practices, while it may have initially felt a little uncomforting, but as we move forward, more will imbibe the “New Normal” and start enjoying travel and discovering the world once again.
The year 2021 brings in new hope and makes one feel optimistic and hope that small steps taken towards outbound travel in the last quarter of last year will bring a new vision and a larger number of countries opening borders for tourism in the Year 2021.