SSR Travel Solutions forays into representation business
With a successful track record spanning a decade, SSR Travel Solutions has now entered the representation business. Sapneal Rao, Founder and CEO, SSR Travel Solutions, gives fresh insights into the company which now aims to capture the post-COVID revenge travel traffic by providing holistic solutions to luxury and adventure seekers in India.
SSR Travel Solutions has added two leading Destination Management Companies – Wild Trek Safaris, Kenya and Tanzania, and Eihab Travel, Oman to its portfolio. While the company’s focus is on island destinations, their current wholesale business is focused in Maldives, Bali, Mauritius, Bahrain, Oman, Kenya, and Cordelia Cruises. They are now looking at expanding their wholesale sourcing to additional locations and nations, with a particular emphasis on the Caribbean Islands.
A prominent name in the travel industry as a Wholesale Tour Operator, SSR Travel Solutions is now pursuing the goal of providing quality holidays and first-class personal service. “We strive to maintain our wholesale concept in all fields, constantly strive to bring in new products, achieve maximum perfection and consistency of service, diversification by enriching our vocabulary of products, presentation formats, and innovative ideas,” says Sapneal.
Sapneal’s primary responsibilities as the company’s founder and CEO include expanding the agency network and introducing new products to corporate travel agencies. He also contracts with new and existing suppliers, destinations, and products and presents the same to their 13000+ growing travel agency network. “SSR Travel Solutions presently has three verticals and we work as PSA for Cordelia Cruises, wholesaler and inbound company for Bali and Representations and India office for DMCs,” informs Sapneal.
On asked about his reasons to venture into the representation business, Sapneal shares, “Bringing in the right partner into India is the key to representation to service the travel agent fraternity and all the partners on board are the top company in that country. Our focus will always be to bring in the DMC from countries which have a very limited number of DMC in that particular country.”
Highlighting his new DMC partnerships, Sapneal says, “WildTrek Safaris is a Kenyan-based eco-tourism company founded 22 years ago in 1997 by Pummy Singh, a fourth-generation Kenyan. Having played a significant role in the Kenyan Tourism sector by running two other tour companies, WildTrek was, within a very short span, awarded several tourism accolades and declared a Category A company by the Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO). With our head office in the leafy Westlands area of Nairobi, Kenya, we have over the years established offices in Tanzania, Hong Kong, India, Europe, and the USA.”
Adding on Sapneal further shares about WildTrek, “We own and operate our vehicles, and all our drivers and guides are trained and certified professionals. An IATA accreditation a few years later was another feather in its cap, with WildTrek also operating a full-blown international outbound travel agency led by Tiny Singh. We understand that an African Safari is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience; therefore, we always aim to provide unique experiences leaving the guests with a lifetime of memories.”
Similarly, Eihab Travel, an established DMC for the Sultanate of Oman, positions India as one of its top source markets and is excited to delegate SSR Travel Solutions as its representative to enhance its market presence and entice more Indian travelers to Oman. Eihab Travels is Oman’s leading IATA-accredited agency. Established in 1978, Eihab Travels has grown from its humble beginnings to a comprehensive travel solutions provider over the years. Today, the company offers a wide range of services in the travel and tourism industry, ably supporting an ecosystem of the Oman tourism industry, whilst providing individuals and corporates in Oman, the best of world services when it comes to travel, ticketing, holidays, and ancillary services. Operating three distinct business lines, the company offers airline ticketing, and outbound and inbound travel solutions. Each business line is independently managed by highly trained, dedicated, and motivated professionals to deliver complete and efficient services.
On the business prospects from these DMCs and the expansion of SSR’s travel services, Sapneal says, “For Kenya, the current quarter is ‘Migration Period’ so we are doing extremely well and Oman season starts from Sept to April, so both are products would do extremely well in coming quarters and achieve targets. Owing to our extensive network of B2C players pan India, we will drive our efforts to enhance business and boost sales for both Wild Trek Safaris and Eihab Travels. We are positive about the resumption of travel owing to the pent-up demand that will further lead to acceleration in outbound travel and expansion in business forums.”