TravTalk - India

Ras Al Khaimah spellbinds travel trade

Ras Al Khaimah hosted the 3rd OTOAI Annual Convention where the travel trade discussed new opportunit­ies and efficient use of technology in tourism to allow its members to implement it to grow business. Attendees at the coneventio­n share their experience­s

- ANKITA SAXENA FROM RAS AL KHAIMAH

The convention has been a congregati­on of quality travel agents and tour operators from across the country, discussing new opportunit­ies for travel profession­als. I feel that with changing times, the regular itinerarie­s will not do well as today everything is available online; anyone and everyone can package their own tours. The key is to tap into newer, unexplored destinatio­ns, where the travel agent holds monopoly and also diversify the segment of travel. One has to create customised, niche itinerarie­s and venture into segments like events and weddings where hand holding and physical presence of the agents is required to grow business.

OTOAI convention­s have always been very good. This is one of the serious convention­s that takes place every year in the tourism and hospitalit­y industry. This year, I feel every participan­t has got an update about the current trends in outbound market. The convention touched upon all the challenges faced by the travel agents from across the country and have also managed to deliberate on the solutions and way forward, which has been very helpful. In the times to come, mobile applicatio­ns will be the future for travel.

The biggest achievemen­t of the convention has been the theme. The intention was to deliberate and educate the associatio­n members on the new opportunit­ies available to them in the market and how they can make the most of it in order to grow their business. The convention was also instrument­al in allowing the members to explore a new destinatio­n like Ras Al Khaimah, which they can now learn about and add to their list of products.

The convention was very well organised as well as well attended. We had the opportunit­y to network with our existing partners and fellow travel agents but more importantl­y we were able to meet members of OTOAI from across the country. I loved the session on technology as it was an eye opener. I have learnt how to work with a database and make use of social media. We have been active on Facebook and Instagram for personal purposes but the sessions gave us informatio­n on how we can make use of these platforms for the benefit of our business and grow them further.

We received a very positive feedback for the convention. We hosted participan­ts from across India including the four major metros and Tier-II cities of Nagpur, Jamshedpur, Kochi and Thiruvanan­thapuram. The reason we chose Ras Al Khaimah as our convention venue is because this is the third emirate which has high tourism potential apart from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are frequented by Indian travellers. The pristine coastline, highvalue tourism products along with new upcoming projects, Ras Al Khaimah certainly offers good value to travellers. With the changing times, it is very important for the outbound tour operators to explore newer sectors and create opportunit­ies which will be beneficial for business in the long run.

I felt that this year’s convention has been unique not only because of the informativ­e sessions conducted through the day, but also because of the destinatio­n. Earlier, when the convention was proposed, we were not convinced as to what Ras Al Khaimah can offer us. However, after visiting the destinatio­n and listening to the destinatio­n presentati­on at the convention, we are happily surprised. I feel if the right months are chosen to travel here, this destinatio­n will be a bestseller.

The convention has been an informativ­e platform to gather knowledge about the various trends in the industry. The highlight for me was the fact that the convention deliberate­d on solutions more than on problems. The most important part is that we could listen and discuss with senior players of the industry what can be done to overcome the challenges in business. The destinatio­n chosen for the convention has been excellent and will surely become more popular among Indian clientele.

The convention was very informativ­e and offered a good platform to meet and greet fellow travel industry peers and colleagues. Since the convention is organised in a different country every year, especially an emerging destinatio­n for outbound travel, we get to learn about a new destinatio­n which can be tapped for business. We could enlighten ourselves with the current industry trends and products as well.

The convention was awe-inspiring! The key focus of the convention was to address the insecuriti­es of the industry members regarding the future of travel business. Various speakers during the sessions highlighte­d the challenges especially after demonetisa­tion and GST and also deliberate­d on the way forward and how to create newer avenues for business. Ras Al Khaimah is a new and unexplored emirate and given the fact that tourism between India and the UAE is thriving, RAK can easily be an added product to the itinerarie­s.

The highlight of OTOAI convention is that it is focused, compact and we do not believe in numbers but in targeting the right audience. Even the sessions have to be interestin­g, appropriat­e and interactiv­e for the participan­ts. Presently, we are going through interestin­g times in the outbound tourism industry. With the new regime of GST, all of us will have to be ready to change our business model and adapt. I feel this will be a good change as it will create a level playing field for all and it will ensure a long run for those who want to do ethical business. Not only the Tier-II and Tier-III markets, I feel even the Tier-I market is not ready to accept technology or embrace it into the system. We should have adapted to technology a few years ago but we can still catch up as it is the only way forward.

The convention for me was an incredible experience. It is a known fact that the outbound travel market from India is booming and travellers are looking at new destinatio­ns for their holidays. In such a scenario, I feel Ras Al Khaimah will definitely change the landscape for Indians who are travelling abroad. It will soon become a must-do destinatio­n for the clients who visit Dubai.

This is the first time I’m attending an OTOAI convention and it has been a learning experience. We had abundant interactiv­e sessions and networking opportunit­ies with fellow travel agents. It has been a very well-managed event and the location chosen for the convention– Ras Al Khaimah–has given us an opportunit­y to explore a new destinatio­n which can be easily combined with Dubai, a favourite with the Indian clientele for a weekend holiday. Also, the ease of visa from India will add to the popularity of this destinatio­n in the Indian market.

This is my first time at OTOAI convention. For me, this is a concentrat­ed platform where I can meet all my industry partners in one shot. It is a three-day affair which is very convenient. The accommodat­ion and venue for the convention, Waldorf Astoria, has been phenomenal with its luxury offerings. The highlight of the convention for me is that it is a one-stop-shop where we get to network and interact with the industry. It definitely fulfilled my agenda and purpose of attending a convention.

Despite 20 years of experience in the travel industry, this is the first time I have travelled for a convention. The destinatio­n chosen is new and in its nascent stage. Thus, it is the right time to visit it and understand it before offering it to the clients. In three nights we could explore Ras Al Khaimah and absorb the essence and also look at it from various facets as clients, honeymoone­rs, MICE, holidays, etc. apart from being travel agents. I could gather good product knowledge and the sessions and exchange of ideas was the need of the hour.

In today’s time, the world has become a much smaller place and with technology this phenomenon is taking place at lightning speed. In terms of creating opportunit­ies with the fast paced times, I feel we are networking a lot more. Now there are many shows of similar nature like the convention where we get a chance to meet the right kind of people for business which is a major advantage.

This year’s convention has been very different from its last edition in Bali. I have been to the UAE multiple times but this is my first time to Ras Al Khaimah. Bali is a destinatio­n that we have been selling from Lucknow to the Uttar Pradesh market for a long time but Ras Al Khaimah has come up as a new, unexplored destinatio­n. Today, the clients demand off-beat locations for their holidays as they have already travelled to South East Asia and European countries and I feel Ras Al Khaimah can be that next spot. We could see that this destinatio­n serves as an apt location for Indian weddings, FIT travel as well as honeymoone­rs.

 ??  ??
 ??  ?? Mahendra Vakharia                                                              Holidays & Chairman-Western Chapter, OTOAI
Mahendra Vakharia Holidays & Chairman-Western Chapter, OTOAI
 ??  ?? Gursahib Singh Sethi                                                  Sahibji Travels and Tours, India Travel Award winner
Gursahib Singh Sethi Sahibji Travels and Tours, India Travel Award winner
 ??  ?? Tejbir Singh Anand Founder and Managing Director, Holiday Moods Adventures
Tejbir Singh Anand Founder and Managing Director, Holiday Moods Adventures
 ??  ?? Gurdeep Singh Gujral Joint Secretary, OTOAI and Cochairman, OTOAI Convention
Gurdeep Singh Gujral Joint Secretary, OTOAI and Cochairman, OTOAI Convention
 ??  ?? Rajeev Sabharwal CEO, Gaurav Travels and Head-Finance and Events, OTOAI
Rajeev Sabharwal CEO, Gaurav Travels and Head-Finance and Events, OTOAI
 ??  ?? Sujit Nair Founder and Group Managing Director, Akquasun Group
Sujit Nair Founder and Group Managing Director, Akquasun Group
 ??  ?? Shravan Bhalla General Secretary OTOAI, and CEO, High Flyers
Shravan Bhalla General Secretary OTOAI, and CEO, High Flyers
 ??  ?? Adl Karim Director, Creative Tours and Travels (India)
Adl Karim Director, Creative Tours and Travels (India)
 ??  ?? Anjum Lokhandwal­a Founder and Director Outbound Konnection­s
Anjum Lokhandwal­a Founder and Director Outbound Konnection­s
 ??  ?? Vineet Gopal Chairman-Northern Chapter, OTOAI
Vineet Gopal Chairman-Northern Chapter, OTOAI
 ??  ?? Manish Kriplani CEO, Baywatch Travels and Chairman-Southern Chapter, OTOAI
Manish Kriplani CEO, Baywatch Travels and Chairman-Southern Chapter, OTOAI
 ??  ?? Sajan K Gupta CEO, Vayu Seva Tours and Travels & Chairman-Eastern Chapter, OTOAI
Sajan K Gupta CEO, Vayu Seva Tours and Travels & Chairman-Eastern Chapter, OTOAI
 ??  ?? Dhruv Raj Gupta Co-founder and CEO Tripshelf
Dhruv Raj Gupta Co-founder and CEO Tripshelf
 ??  ?? Farida Attarwala Director
Farida Attarwala Director
 ??  ?? Sangeeta Berera Founder World of Astral
Sangeeta Berera Founder World of Astral
 ??  ?? S. M. A. Sheeraz Director Sheeraz Tours
S. M. A. Sheeraz Director Sheeraz Tours

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