For that unique experience
India is an ideal destination for visitors seeking unique experiences. Leading destination management companies are trying to cash in on with growing number of proponents of Experiential Tourism. gives details.
VIVEK SETHI There
is a single guiding force that motivates over 1 billion tourists worldwide to undertake travel, a quest to attain the most unique experiences. Even, UNWTO defines tourism as a social, cultural and economic phenomenon, which entails the
We have seen the number of high-end clients increasing who like to take up such unique experiences as a part of their itinerary
homes; canoeing through backwaters or even explore rural experience in the Vaikom village of Kerala; private cruises on Hooghly river in Kolkata; change of guard ceremony at The President’s House in Delhi or a ‘culinary experience in Old Delhi’,” he added.
Kuoni in India has also stepped into promoting
Experiential travel has caught on quite fast. Individuals and small group tours in India are shown a different angle of travel
and charming hospitality, flavoured traditional cooking, stimulating art, intriguing architecture, etc,” he added.
The cherry on the cake of experiential form of tourism is its growing popularity with the top-end travellers. “Many high-end clients have also been involved in making volunteer visits to Child care cen-
Experiential Tourism is gaining, but it should not be conducted at the cost of experiments with safety, health and security
ters, old age homes and have contributed in the lives of the underprivileged through our CSR division. One of the most interesting experiences was the Elephant Polo match organised in Jaipur along with lunch for special children belonging to our affiliated NGOs under a generous sponsorship by some clienteles of Luxe. Hence, Experiential Tourism is being well received by our high-end clients,” iterated Sharma.
All said and done, pursuit of building experiential packages should not create unnecessary risks, cautions Arup Sen, Director – Special Projects, Cox & Kings. “Experiential and Volunteer Tourism is catching up in a small way. There is no denying the fact that Experiential Tourism is gaining, but this kind of tourism should not be conducted at the cost of experiments with safety, health and security,” he added.