WTM Africa means business
The show witnessed over 570 exhibitors, 82 per cent new buyers from over 45 different countries and over 7,600 pre-scheduled appointments.
The Arabian Travel Market (ATM) is the region’s leading travel trade event which unites tourism destinations from six continents to unlock business potential through showcasing a diverse range of accommodation options, tourist attractions and new airline routes etc. Going by the ATM trend, we look forward to maximum participation from upcoming destinations and considering potential of outbound Indian market, good offers and pricing is the expected.
What are the new plans that Udaan is planning to implement this year?
‘Namaste Croatia’ is one of our new initiatives and FRRO is the domain which Udaan is focusing in the coming financial year and there are also plans to promote upcoming destinations or lesser known tourist destinations. Also we are soon opening up a branch office in Hyderabad. In our endeavour to provide Visa Services powered by technology, we look forward to add more features on our portal and launch a mobile app.
Tremendous changes have come in the visa scenario. Earlier it was more manual, the documentation was tedious. Now, as Indian traveller is among the top five travellers in the world, a lot of countries have introduced Visa-on-Arrival, e-visa option to frequent Indian travellers/ who has UK/US/Schengen visas and even documentation has become less tedious. More countries are following the trend and visa norms will become more traveller-friendly in the future.
What kind of competition are you facing?
Visa industry has grown a lot in the last years. A lot of travel agents have also started providing visa services as a separate vertical. VFS or other outsourcing agencies are also giving competition. It is a healthy competition and shows that the industry is growing at a fast pace.
What are impressions?
your
Visa fraternity has to work as one and become organised. Reducing the pricing to gain edge over each other creates unhealthy competition. Today Indian travellers looks forward to good Visa Facilitation Services and don't mind paying extra for good services. The business is bound to increase in the coming years as Indian outbound market is on boom and everyone should work together and make the most of it.
The second annual World Travel Market Africa (WTM Africa), which forms part of Africa Travel Week, was concluded on April 17, 2015, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre (CTICC). With more than 570 exhibitors, 82 per cent new buyers from over 45 different countries, more than 7,600 prescheduled appointments before the show began, as well as an 18 per cent increase on 2014 visitors and 39 per cent increase on overall travel professionals at the show, WTM Africa certainly meant business this year, with remarkable results recorded. All numbers stated are prior to the official audit.
The WTM Africa halls at the CTICC were abuzz for all three days with participants taking opportunities to engage in valuable business conversations, meet new contacts, exchange ideas and share best practices. The South African government significantly expressed their support with Tokozile Xasa, Deputy Minister of Tourism, joining Executive Mayor of Cape Town in the ribbon cutting ceremony which opened WTM Africa on April 15, 2015.
Carol Weaving, MD, Thebe Reed Exhibitions, expressed her delight regarding the success of the show and receiving the support from the South Africa government and the City of Cape Town by saying, “WTM Africa provides a platform for the travel and tourism industry to grow the economy in the region, and the partnership of the public and private sector is critical to the success going forward. We have been overwhelmed with the positive feedback we have received this year, and we look forward to taking this event from strength to strength in the future for the benefit of the industry and the economy in Africa.”
Responsible Tourism was high on the agenda for WTM Africa 2015. This was further enhanced by the 11th Responsible Tourism (RTD11) conference running alongside WTM Africa on April 15-16. RTD11 presented an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved in Cape Town, South Africa, and elsewhere around the world, documenting good practices applied by different producer groups, as well as set the agenda for change for the next 10 years.
WTM Africa forms part of Africa Travel Week which comprises three co- located industry events namely International Luxury Travel Market ( ILTM) Africa, International Business Travel Market ( IBTM) and WTM Africa.