Travel and Hospitality (TnH) - May 2022 by Prem Sagar

ISSUE 8 / VOLUME XIII / MAY 2022 Rs.350 / Pages 58

EDITOR'S NOTE

Oh! The Places You’ll Go In May, we always talk about holidays. After all, it is the beginning of the Indian outbound season. So from classic five star properties to luxury lodges, our story, ‘ The Hottest New Hotels Around the World’ (pg 16), compiles a list of the newest most sought after luxury hotels this year. Pick any of these recommendations, and you will be picking well. Plus, we review a newly opened resort in the Maldives (pg 08). Another trending topic we highlight this month is the growing demand for villas. Our story, ‘Villas: The Hot New Frontier for India’s Travel Industry’ (pg 48) showcases HNI’s preference for space, flexibility and convenience, post-pandemic. This is a shift from HNI’s often opting to travel to metro cities and choosing renowned luxury hotels earlier. You will also find an article on side hustles, i.e., additional income sources for trade professionals (pg 24). As you might expect, the pandemic has taught most of us not to rely completely on one source of income.

So this article is a must read. After all, we all need a comfortable financial cushion in the uncertain times we live in . May our articles on hotels inspire your journeys, in what I hope will be a great summer for travel professionals and travellers. May you also enjoy the rest of the issue. Happy Reading!

Publisher & Editor Srishti Jindal

CONTENT 08.

24.

Maldives Resort Review - Siyam World with Pickyourtrail

5 Side Hustles Travel Trade Professionals Can Start Today

16.

32.

The Hottest New Hotels Around The World

Going Public: The New Trend in the Indian Travel Sector

40.

48.

5 Best-Led Travel Companies

Villas - The Hot New Frontier for India’s Travel Industry

@tnhmagazine

Publisher & Editor Srishti Rai Director Bharat S. Rai

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May 2022

Maldives Resort ReviewSiyam World with Pickyourtrail Travel and tourism are back in full swing after a 2-year hiatus, with new resorts and easier ways to book trips. Maldives is a leading travel destination, immensely popular amongst Indians due to its beauty and proximity.

Maldives is an archipelago comprising 1192 islands, located south of the Lakshadweep Islands of India, with an average of 1.7 million tourists per year pre-pandemic. In July 2020, Maldives reopened its borders to tourists, and in 2021, Indian travellers still flocked to the island nation, becoming its top source market. The primary draw of Maldives is its

abundant coastline, with pristine waters, gorgeous beaches, and plethora of water sports. It also has a vibrant culture and fascinating landmarks. An ideal getaway, there are numerous resorts in Maldives that offer all-inclusive stays, designed to help guests relax and enjoy.

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There are approximately 150+ resorts in Maldives, spread out across its numerous islands, often with a ‘one island – one resort’ concept. Rooms typically include pools, and can also be located over water, giving guests unlimited and private access to the clear blue waters. Depending upon the resort, additional features can be available such as spas, tours, and varied cuisines.

Finding the Right Resort Choosing the right resort in Maldives has a direct impact on the trip’s quality, since most guests will spend a considerable amount of time (if not all), at the resort itself. There are many ways to find suitable resorts, complete bookings, and arrange the overall trip. The primary options are to book independently, hire a travel agent, or book through a travel company. According to preferences and budget, travellers can choose which mode of booking is most suitable. For a hassle-free experience, booking through a reputed agent or company is advisable. Since they are experienced, they can help find the right resort, complete all the bookings, get great deals, and simplify the overall process. v Pickyourtrail is a leading online travel company in India that specialises in booking tailor-made international

holidays. Launched in 2013, it offers ready-made travel packages and fully customisable packages for popular travel destinations. Their itinerary building option lets users prioritise their interests for any trip, so that they can maximise their trip.

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The Pickyourtrail Experience

Siyam World Maldives

Shulabh Gupta, Creative Head of TnH Magazine and Founder of Art Should Tempt, shared his recent experience of using Pickyourtrail for booking a Maldives vacation.

The Siyam World Maldives resort was launched in October2021, with a ‘WOW!’ all-inclusive concept and a range of pool beach villas, beach suites, residences, and over water villas.

“I found a post on Instagram by an influencer that mentioned a 5-star Maldives experience at an incredible price. The post had tagged PYT (Pickyourtrail) app. I reached out to PYT from Instagram, and then on call, and was assigned a point of contact,” shared Gupta. A dedicated experience manager was then assigned, responsible for making sure the trip was pleasant and that help and clarifications were always available. Initial flight tickets were booked by Indigo, and when the flights were cancelled 2 months before departure, PYT arranged booking of revised tickets and refunds of the cancelled tickets. He also shared a few drawbacks about PYT. “Although the app was up-to-date, it wasn’t useful until the trip was booked over a call. The only use for the app was the vouchers received on it as a token on confirmation,” revealed Gupta about the booking process.

Located on the Dhigurah Noonu Atoll, the resort spans across 54 hectares, and is 40 minutes from Velana International Airport. It can also be reached by a 30-minute domestic flight to Maafaru International Airport, with a 10 minute ride on a speedboat . The vast range of accommodations are classified into on-beach, and over-water categories, with features such as private pools, sunset views, separate living/dining areas, kitchenette, outdoor shows, and slides. There are over a dozen different on-site restaurants and bars to choose from, specialising in cuisines like Spanish, Mediterranean, Thai, Maldivian, Indian, Japanese, and Continental. A fully-equipped spa and wellness centre is also available, with group classes and sunset meditation. Siyam World Maldives offers a wide range of experiential adventures for its guests, including daily ocean cruises for snorkelling safaris, and lucky dolphin sunset cruises. Unlimited complimentary access is available to Maldives’s biggest

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floating water park in the sunrise lagoon of Siyam World. There are complementary water sports such as windsurfing, canoeing, paddling, snorkelling, and diving. The resort has live music, DJ, dance shows, karaoke nights, beach parties and local dance lessons. Apart from the traditional rooms and villas, Siyam World also has a Beach House Collection of villas with premium services, larger spaces, and exclusive restaurants. The villas can accommodate anywhere from 2 adults to 16 adults.

Siyam World Maldives FirstHand Experience Pickyourtrail helped Shulabh Gupta find the ideal property for his stay, by suggesting multiple options to select the best match. Siyam World Maldives resort was finalised by Gupta for his trip. “After a brief chat, PYT understood my requirements and budget and suggested a better property than the one I saw on the post. This property was Siyam World Maldives. 5 nights - water villa with pool at an all-inclusive price. Which means everything was paid for,” he said. “The Siyam world team arranged for a lounge at the airport with

inclusive food and drinks while we waited for our transfer from Male airport. Post waiting at the lounge for approximately 1 hr 45 mins, we were transferred to the Maafaru International Airport via a local flight,” described Gupta. “Once there, we were assigned a personal porter who helped us with our luggage and directed us towards the seaport and finally into our speedboat,” he added. “The property was fantastic and the price was even better,” said Gupta about the Siyam World Maldives resort. There were a few drawbacks he admitted, adding, “The resort recommended was brand new and had really mixed reviews a few months down the line on various mediums. The clarity of inclusions for the cost was unclear on paper. The room images were not provided before-hand.”

May 2022

The Hottest New Hotels Around The World Hotels have gone from becoming a place where travellers rest in-between attractions to becoming attractions in themselves. Innovative and interesting, new hotels are testing the boundaries to stand out from the crowd and appeal to guests, offering them a relaxing and enjoyable stay.

Accommodations are a foundational component of any type of travel, and hotels are among the most traditional and common types of accommodations. There are over 187,000 hotels worldwide, with new hotels opening every year. The hotel a traveller stays at can have a makeor-break impact on the entire trip, regardless of the trip’s intended focus. Hotels provide short-term accommodations and can be targeted towards any type of traveller, including leisure travellers, business travellers, budget travellers, and long-stay travellers. Most hotels will have some form of food service available, for example, room service

or on-site restaurants. The sky’s the limit for additional features, and can include swimming pools, spas, saunas, personalised concierge, and more.

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Over the years, hotels have evolved, expanding into categories such as luxury hotels, resorts, full-service hotels, boutique hotels, focussed hotels, extended-stay hotels, economy hotels, timeshares, and destination clubs. Some hotels capitalise on the location, offering features such as beach-side rooms, cave rooms, igloo rooms, and underwater rooms. Others focus on the features they can offer, for example, adventure, relaxation, luxury, or gambling. Here is a list of some of the hottest new hotels around the world.

1. Rosewood São Paulo - São Paulo, Brazil The first Rosewood brand hotel in South America, the Rosewood São Paulo is a mixed-use cultural destination, with a complex spread across historic buildings in the Cidade Matarazzo heritage site. Located in São Paulo, the largest city of Brazil, the hotel is excellently positioned with plenty of attractions nearby. These include the Avenida Paulista, Ciccillo Matarazzo Pavilion, Ruth Escobar Theatre, São Paulo Metropolitan Cathedral, and the Museu Catavento. The Rosewood São Paulo has already made its name in the short time since its launch in August 2021 for

offering a luxurious experience. It offers premium amenities, two swimming pools, multiple dining venues, a fitness centre, jazz club, personalised butler service, a music studio, and a striking vertical garden tower.

2. Capella Bangkok, Thailand Placing the Chao Phraya River of Bangkok at centre stage, the Capella Bangkok is the only hotel in Thailand’s capital that offers water views from every room. Designed with gorgeous floor-toceiling windows in each room, the Capella Bangkok is located close to the Lumpini Park, MBK Centre, Bangkok Art & Culture Centre, SEA LIFE Bangkok Ocean World, Grand Palace, and Taksin Bridge. The highlight of the Capella Bangkok hotel is its vast range of in-house facilities, including 4 on-site restaurants, terrace, garden, picnic areas, and BBQ facilities. Familyfriendly, the hotel offers games and activities for children, kid-friendly meals, and babysitting services. There is evening entertainment, live music, snorkelling, diving, and an extensive wellness centre with yoga, massages, spas, and a traditional hammam.

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3. The Reykjavik EDITION, Iceland Classic and chic, The Reykjavik EDITION has a rustic style incorporating ebony and charred timber, designed to simulate the lava landscape of Iceland. Located in the heart of Reykjavik, the hotel is close to the Reykjavik Old Harbour, Hallgrímskirkja Church, Imagine Peace Tower, and the Laugavegur Shopping Street. The rooms and suites of The Reykjavik EDITION feature gorgeous views of Mt. Esja, the harbour, and the legendary Snæfellsjökull glacier. There is an in-house bar, cafe, and a signature restaurant led by Iceland’s first Michelin-star Chef, Gunnar Karl Gíslason. The Reykjavik EDITION has a fitness centre, spa, plunge pool, and massage service available. The minimalist style of the hotel makes it a relaxing getaway, surrounded by natural beauty in the calm city of Reykjavik.

4. Kalesma Mykonos – Greece A new boutique hotel, the Kalesma Mykonos presents panoramic views of the Aegean Sea, and is the first hotel on Mykonos with private swimming or plunge pools in every room. Designed to resemble

a traditional village, the hotel has whitewashed exteriors with modernistic interiors. Ideally located, the Kalesma Mykonos is walking distance from the Agios Ioannis Beach, Ornos, Glyfadi Beach, and Korfos. Other nearby attractions are the Scorpios Mykonos, Fabrica Square, Meletopoulou Public Garden, Little Venice, and Cavo Paradiso. The lavish 5 acre property has a terrace, garden, on-site restaurant, bar, multiple pools, pool bars, and infinity pool. There is a dedicated wellness and fitness centre with yoga classes, personal trainers, and beauty services. Also available are activities such as snorkelling, diving, and horse-riding.

5. Cheval Blanc Paris, France In the heart of Paris is the new Cheval Blanc Paris, an infusion of modern luxury into a heritage site on the banks of the Seine. With spectacular views, each room has either a balcony or large windows that overlook the city skyline, river, or Louvre. From its central location, there are numerous nearby attractions, including the Louvre Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, Rue de Rivoli, Chatelet Theatre, Luxembourg Gardens, and Opéra Garnier.

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The elegant Cheval Blanc Paris boasts of a Dior Spa, with complete spa facilities, a wellness centre, fitness centre, sauna, and heated swimming pool. There is a kids’ club available to engage children of all ages. The Cheval Blanc Paris has 4 on-site restaurants that are highly rated, along with a bar.

6. Explora El Chaltén, Argentina A luxury lodge in a private 14,000 acre natural reserve in Patagonia, the Explora El Chaltén combines comfort with adventure. Explore the 15 acres of marked hiking trails, or try out rock climbing, or take an expedition to nearby glaciers for ice trekking. In the middle of the Electric Valley and near the Southern Ice Field, the Explora El Chaltén has an amazing location central to forests, rivers, and mountains. They offer a vast range of full and half-day guided explorations for the different surrounding landscapes. Relax from strenuous days with the full service spa of Explora El Chaltén, equipped with a sauna, hydro massages, and massage rooms. There is a bar and an in-house restaurant with a menu inspired by local flavours.

Exploring New Hotels Visiting a newly launched hotel can be daunting as there might not be enough feedback and reviews available, resulting in unexpected experiences. However, new hotels are aware of the cutting-edge competition and often go above and beyond to offer their guests an enjoyable stay and gain positive feedback.

May 2022

5 Side Hustles Travel Trade Professionals Can Start Today Side hustles can prove to be quite lucrative, and offer an additional net of financial safety for a person without interfering with their day job. For travel trade professionals, there are numerous side hustles that can be started today.

The trend for side hustles had been growing slowly yet steadily over the years, with its origins tracing back to the 1950s. In the US, approximately 34% of the working population had side hustles in 2019, increasing to 45% by 2022. Apart from the US, countries such as the UK, Singapore, Philippines, and Australia also have a rising percentage of workers with side hustles. Side hustles are a great way to supplement an existing income, gain extra spending money, repay debts, and increase savings. They also act as a safety fall-back in case a person loses their main source of income.

The coronavirus pandemic in 2020 resulted in a sharp spike in the interest in side hustles. More people worldwide turned to additional forms of income generation, particularly in fields that faced reduced market demand. The travel trade industry was severely affected by the pandemic, and many from the industry turned to side hustles. While the travel sector is recovering two years later, side hustles are still beneficial.

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Here are some of the top side hustles travel trade professionals can start today:

and interest niches. Any topic that you have expertlevel knowledge in can be taught online or even inperson.

1. Itinerary Planner/Tour Guide

It is important to have a clear idea of which topics you are comfortable in teaching, and accordingly find suitable platforms and customers. Teaching can be one-on-one or in group format. Another option is to create ready-to-learn courses for online learning platforms.

With extensive knowledge of the tourism and travel industry, becoming an itinerary planner or tour guide is an easy side hustle for travel trade professionals. Now that the tourism industry is picking up after a two-year slump due to the Covid-19 pandemic, there is excellent demand for itinerary planners and tour guides. As an itinerary planner, your role would involve creating customised and detailed itineraries for travellers. Based on your knowledge, you can identify regions and types of itineraries to specialise in and target suitable clientele. According to your time availability, you can scale up or down the number of customers you take on. Guiding tours can be an enjoyable side hustle, but is dependent upon the tourism potential of your location. By offering tours, you can create customised guided experiences for everything from local foods to historical monuments and natural attractions.

2. Teaching Sharing your knowledge with the world is an excellent side hustle that can be adapted to your desired hours

If you have free time, you can also expand your knowledge and familiarity with topics to extend the range of topics you can teach. Useful topics that you can teach as a travel trade professional include travelspecific topics, location-specific topics, languages, and any other subject you desire.

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3. Marketing Travel trade professionals typically have an extensive network of associates and are adept at marketing to a certain degree. Marketing is a highly in-demand role that makes a great side-hustle. As the importance of marketing continues to rise, it can prove to be a valuable skill. There are in-depth guides and tutorials available online that you can use to brush up your knowledge on modern marketing tactics. Use your natural knack for networking and promotions to offer customers marketing services. Starting with familiar niches, you can move on to more complex products and services. With digital marketing, very little is required in terms of investment, and good industry knowledge can give you an edge. There are numerous sub-categories of digital marketing available, such as SEO, social media marketing, SEO, email marketing, and ad campaigns. Once you start getting results, you can increase your charges. Marketing experience will also help your day job in the travel trade industry.

4. Content Creation In the age of the internet and smartphones, content continues to reign king. There are numerous ways content is presented and consumed,

including videos, audios, and text. The format that is most comfortable to you can be built into a viable side hustle, by writing or recording your content. Content creation can either be for your own brand, based on a niche you have expertise in, or for other brands, where you would use research and content creation skills. Popular channels for content creation are blogs, social media platforms, and online communities. Monetising an independent brand can take a considerable amount of time and effort, depending upon the niche you choose and the level of competition present. However, in the long-run, you gain greater value and can leverage your brand for greater success. Creating content for other brands is a quick and easy way to earn extra money. As your portfolio and reputation grow, you can increase your rates.

5. Hobby-Focused Turning a hobby into a side hustle is a fun way to earn extra cash on the side without burning out from work pressure. Whatever your hobby is, there is more than likely a way to turn it into a functional side hustle, with due research. Consider who your target customers are and how to reach them, to turn a hobby into a successful side hustle.

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If you have a hobby that creates products, you can sell finished items, and also offer custom creations. This can be applied to anything; such as cooking, baking, crafting, art, web design, building, customising products, and more. With an adequate inventory, you can open an online store on sites such as Amazon, and with sufficient sales, create your own eCommerce site. Other popular hobbies that can be turned into side hustles are photography, exercise training, interior designing, and personal shopping. If you are a stickler for grammar and enjoy reading, then editing and proofreading can be a useful side hustle.

Choose Carefully The key to a successful and sustainable side hustle is choosing the right one that suits your interests, personality, and working style. With the right strategy, there are an unlimited number of side hustles available. Unlike career jobs, there is greater flexibility with side hustles, so you can switch between them if you are unsatisfied.

May 2022

Going Public: The New Trend in the Indian Travel Sector The year 2021 witnessed a global trend of more and more travel companies going public, with multiple IPOs planned for 2022 as well. In India, going public has become the new trend for the Indian travel sector as the market recovers from the pandemic.

Owning and managing a company, in any industry, is a complex endeavour, involving a significant investment of time, energy, and money. Going public, or preparing a private company for an initial public offering (IPO), offers multiple benefits by increasing financial investment, enlarging equity base, and increasing exposure. The stock market may be unpredictable, but at the right time, an IPO can be an excellent choice. In India, there were a maximum of 173 IPOs in 2017, raising a total of over US$ 10 billion. The number of IPOs reduced to 43 in 2020, raising US$3 billion only, increasing to 65 IPOs in 2021, already

surpassing the total number of IPOs of 2020. The industries and sectors of the IPO companies varied, with a limited number of travel companies.

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Increase in Travel Companies Launching IPOs

Post-Pandemic Hike in Travel & Tourism Demand

In 2021, there was a substantial boom in the number of travel companies launching IPOs globally, and the trend is expected to continue in 2022. There were over a dozen market debuts by travel companies, and more planned for the upcoming year. Beyond traditional travel service providers, other companies in the travel sector have also caught on to the trend of going public. These include suppliers for the travel industry, aggregators, and tech vendors.

The Covid-19 pandemic had widereaching impacts on financial markets worldwide, resulting in a stock market crash in March 2020. Various measures were taken by different governments to help the market stabilise. As many companies went out of business, there was a paradigm shift in the view of different sectors and industries.

Increased awareness amongst investors and greater liquidity are supporting the rise in the number of travel companies choosing to go public. Among the top travel companies launching IPOs in India in 2021 were Easy Trip (EaseMyTrip), RateGain Travel Technologies, and CE Info Systems (MapMyIndia). Travel companies likely to go public in 2022 include Ixigo, SAMHI Hotels, TBO.com, GoFirst (formerly GoAir), Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, Yatra Online, and Oyo. For some companies, initiating an IPO is an easier way to raise funds for growth and expansion without having to take out additional loans. There has also been little financial aid offered to the travel industry by the government, thereby increasing their risks in obtaining funds. Even with low interest rates for loans, an IPO offers an additional benefit of giving shareholders a secondary market listing.

Although travel, tourism, and hospitality were nearly shut down with the pandemic-fuelled lockdowns, the industry has witnessed a miraculous recovery. Revenge tourism and a renewed interest in travel have catapulted the industry into pre-pandemic performance levels. Unfortunately, several smaller players in the industry were not able to withstand the initial lockdowns. The surge in demand for travel and tourism have given a strong indicator that the industry is expected to flourish in the future, regardless of the performance of other industries. Going public has been found to be an easy way to infuse revenue in the short term for sustainable benefits in the long term. For investors, travel is increasingly viewed as a worthwhile investment with a consistent demand and reliable returns.

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Expansion and Publicity The global travel and tourism market has massive potential, and is expected to cross a valuation of $8.9 trillion by 2026. As travellers expect more and are willing to increase their spending, it offers travel companies an advantageous position. Investing in expansions and value additions can help travel companies capitalise on new trends and customer preferences. By going public, a travel company can secure funding required for expansions that help the company get an edge over the competition and extend their reach. Clearly identifying their goals and plans before launching an IPO also gives insights into whether investors view expansion plans as likely to succeed or fail. The entire IPO launching process shines a spotlight onto the company, giving enhanced visibility and publicity. Potential investors would conduct detailed research as would websites that recommend IPOs. A successful IPO launch with adequate performance further increases publicity. While the increased publicity can add on to the pressure on a travel company and expectations from it, the extended reach can be beneficial.

Drawbacks of the Going Public Trend IPOs are typically only launched by travel companies that have a reasonably large size, adequate backing, and organised structure. With the emergence of small niche companies in the travel sector, larger travel companies often conduct acquisitions to improve their capabilities and market share. As larger travel companies go public and increase their funding and capabilities, smaller companies will face greater difficulties in attempting to compete. A likely future scenario could be that the future of the travel industry becomes concentrated in the hands of the top 5-8 players, eliminating or acquiring smaller companies. While end-users may still get good deals and service if there is enough competition amongst the top players, it will be a sizable challenge for any new entrant in the market.

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IPO Experience of EaseMyTrip EaseMyTrip or Easy Trip Planners Ltd was incorporated in 2008, and grew to become India’s second largest online travel agency in terms of gross revenue. EaseMyTrip launched its IPO on 8 March, 2021, and after a muted initial response, saw its shares shoot up and reach new highs. The stock value further increased 127% based on anticipation of growth in travel demand. TnH Magazine spoke to Nishant Pitti, the CEO & Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip to learn firsthand about the IPO experience. “EaseMyTrip has been a trendsetter in the travel domain. We have worked 24/7 since 15 years and 100% of equity belongs to us. Whereas, other online travel agencies listed in Nasdaq promoters don’t even have over 1015% equity, so we decided to liquidate 25%,” said Pitti about the decision to go public. “We have been listed in March 2021, as the first online travel company in the Indian Stock Exchange,” he added. Describing the journey leading up to the IPO, he said, “It was an amazing experience. The journey was good but due to Covid we delayed the process by 1 year.”

In the 1 year and 2 months since going public, EaseMyTrip has noted a steady rise in valuation, along with increase in visibility. “Our reach and brand recall value have significantly increased,” Pitti highlighted as a major benefit of EaseMyTrip going public.

April 2022

5 Best-Led Travel Companies

There are multiple top travel companies in India, including those founded in India itself, and international brands expanding their presence to the region. The leadership of any company is vital to its success, and an indicator to its future.

In India, travel and tourism is the largest service industry, supporting cultural, natural, heritage, medical, sports, and business tourism. The travel market in the country was estimated to be worth US$ 75 billion in 2020, and is projected to reach a valuation of US$ 125 billion by 2027. The travel industry may be lucrative, however, it is also becoming increasingly competitive. Strong leadership is necessary to stand out from the crowd and succeed in the long-term. Indicators of impactful leadership include business success,

how long the company has been active, number of employees, brand respect, and the company’s growth trajectory.

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Here are some of the 5 best-led travel companies in India:

1. IndiGo Airlines In a short span of time, IndiGo Airlines has scaled great heights, becoming India’s largest passenger airline. With a market share of 55.5 percent, IndiGo focuses on the domestic air travel market of India. IndiGo Airlines was founded in 2006 by Rahul Bhatia of InterGlobe Enterprises and Rakesh Gangwal as InterGlobe Aviation Ltd, growing from 1 plane to the current fleet of 276 aircrafts. It supports flights to 73 domestic destinations, and 24 international, along with air cargo services under its CarGo initiative. Currently the Promoter and Managing Director, co-founder Rahul Bhatia leads IndiGo Airlines, with many awards to his name. In 2011, he won the ‘Entrepreneur of the Year’ by Ernst & Young and ‘The Outstanding Start-Up’ award at the Forbes India Leadership Awards. The carrier has a leadership team of 15 members, and a Board of Directors with 9 members, including industry stalwarts. IndiGo Airlines MD Rahul Bhatia and CEO Ronojoy Dutta are on the Board of Directors as well. There are an estimated 23,000 employees working with IndiGo Airlines. It has advanced state-of-

the-art facilities for real-time training of new recruits. IndiGo Airlines was recognised as a ‘Great Place to Work’ in India’ for 8 years consecutively (2008- 2015) and again in 2021.

2. InterGlobe Technology Quotient InterGlobe Technology Quotient, also known as ITQ, is a leader in the travel technology industry, offering cuttingedge technology solutions to travel agents. ITQ leverages unparalleled inventory options, resulting in fast and efficient travel booking and agency management. A business unit InterGlobe Enterprises, InterGlobe Technology Quotient was founded in 1994 by Rahul Bhatia and Rohini Bhatia of InterGlobe Enterprises. In 2005, InterGlobe Technology Quotient was incorporated, and fuelled with innovation, connecting with nearly 200,000 agency terminals and serving over 13,000 customers. Its key customers include travel management companies, travel agencies, and retail agencies, across nearly 400 cities. InterGlobe Technology Quotient is an official partner of Travelport, a company that connects buyers with sellers of travel through a single marketplace, with a market share estimated at 65 percent.

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From 2009 till 2013 ITQ was under the leadership of JB Singh as President and CEO. Since 2013, Anil Parashar has been the President and CEO of InterGlobe Technology Quotient, helping lead the brand towards further growth. Headquartered in Gurugram, there are approximately 350+ employees of ITQ. Led by industry experts, employees are encouraged to share their views, and regularly receive training to keep them up-to-date with latest trends.

3. Vistara Vistara Airlines holds a market share of 7.5 percent of the domestic Indian airline industry, creating its space in a short span of 7 years. Founded in 2013 as Tata SIA Airlines Limited, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, operations commenced from 2015. The 6th largest domestic airline, Vistara is popular for its affordable travel rates and premium hospitality. Vistara Airlines expanded to support international flights from 2019, and now flies to 43 destinations across 12 countries. The strong leadership of Vistara Airlines has laid the foundation for its rapid growth. Drawing from Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, Vistara has a 5-member Board of industry leaders, along with independent directors

for guidance. Their key officers typically have a limited tenure, with replacements in 1-2 years. The frequent changes in leadership bring fresh thoughts and views, continuing the growth of the carrier. The current CEO is Vinod Kannan, with Deepak Rajawat as the CCO, Niyant Maru as the CFO, and Vinod Bhat as the CIO. There are around 4,000 employees of Vistara Airlines, and the carrier is said to be increasing its workforce to 5,000 employees by the end of 2022.

4. ITC Hotels The diversified conglomerate ITC Limited, established in 1910, made its foray into the hospitality sector with ITC Hotels in 1975. Now, a premier chain of luxury hotels in India, ITC Hotels has over 100 hotels across 70 destinations, with a core philosophy of ‘responsible luxury’. It is considered the 5th largest hotel chain in India, with many famous hotels to its name, including ITC Maurya, ITC Maratha, and ITC Windsor. There are 6 distinct brands that are a part of ITC Hotels; Marriott’s ‘The Luxury Collection’, Mementos by ITC Hotels, Welcomhotel, Storii by ITC Hotels, Fortune Hotels, and WelcomHeritage. Across its brands, ITC Hotels has categories of accommodation, with ITC One, Towers, Eva, and the Executive Club.

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Creating sub-categories has helped ITC Hotels expand its reach, and offer distinct hotels that meet specific customer needs. The leadership of ITC Hotels has been in line with the overall leadership of its parent ITC Limited, headed by Chairman and Managing Director Sanjiv Puri. The entire portfolio for the ITC Hotels hospitality is under the charge of Anil Chadha as the Divisional Chief Executive, formerly the COO of ITC Hotels. There are an estimated 7,000 employees of ITC Hotels, including many that are differently-abled.

5. VFS Global Visa Facilitation Services Global, commonly known as VFS Global, is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services specialist for diplomatic missions and governments across the world. For its clients, VFS Global manages passport and visa-issuance related tasks, simplifying and streamlining the overall process. VFS Global was conceptualised and founded by Zubin Jal Karkaria in 2001, as a side project of Kuoni, a luxury Swiss travel group. Led by Karkaria as CEO, VFS Global was initially headquartered in India, before moving its base to Dubai. With offices in more than 147 countries, VFS Global has processed visa applications on behalf of 62 governments.

In a short span of 4-5 years, VFS Global became a global leader in its space, catering to a niche market with targeted offerings. With a wide range of services, the company offers solutions ranging from migration services, passport services, and public services, to e-Visa solutions, verification services, and consular services. VFS Global solutions are available for individuals and governments. There are approximately 7470 employees of VFS Global across the world, an exponential increase from the 46 employees the company started with. Over the years, VFS Global has won many accolades; most recently the ‘Best In Future Of Digital Infrastructure’ Award in 2021. As the travel industry moves towards a recovery from the coronavirus pandemic, it is up to travel company leaders to adapt and excel.

April 2022

Villas: The Hot New Frontier for India’s Travel Industry The original concept of villas may be ancient Roman however, over the centuries, villas have expanded in reach and popularity. Post-pandemic, the market for villas and luxury home rentals is witnessing an unprecedented spike in demand.

Luxurious, spacious, and relaxing, villas are typically characterised with a detached main building, vast grounds, and a rich range of amenities. With a full in-house staff, villas are self-sufficient and entirely private for the duration of stay. Villas are available in scenic destinations, such as hills or beaches, as well as in remote areas close to big cities. Before the pandemic, the villas were generally booked for shorter periods of time and for specific occasions or group vacations. As vacations were of shorter durations, sightseeing and

hotels were often preferred first. The coronavirus pandemic drastically changed the way that travellers view villas, and the travellers’ own preferences. The profile of travellers seeking luxurious home stays also evolved. Travellers increasingly prefer to save and splurge on longer getaways rather than short trips. While the average vacation duration has increased from 3.6 days to 4.5 days, for travellers in the high net income bracket, the vacation duration can span for weeks or months.

April 2022

May 2022

The Luxurious Experience Villas are known for offering a private and luxurious experience to visitors. Depending upon the location, villas come equipped with a wide range of facilities and features. These include Jacuzzis, swimming pools, saunas, in-house spa treatments, private gyms, 24/7 chef, full power backup, dedicated concierge, offices, home theatres, bonfires, libraries, hi-speed internet, and in-house laundry facilities. Many villas are also petfriendly. As more and more people visit and stay in villas, sharing pictures from their cosy getaway, social media piques the interest of others, motivating them to stay in villas. With a full-time staff on the villa premises, guests can customise their experience as desired, with prompt service and complete privacy. Availability of medical support is also a common inclusion with villas post-pandemic. The overall goal of villa providers is to create a five-star hotel-like experience in a private property. Bringing in former fivestar hotel workers has helped villas replicate the service expectations

WFH Flexibility The Covid-19 pandemic has had a big impact on the way offices operate worldwide. With mandatory lockdowns, non-essential workplaces

shifted to work from home or WFH models, and even two years later, many offices are continuing with a WFH or hybrid model. With WFH, there is greater savings as commute expenses are avoided and work can be done from anywhere – even from a grand villa. As workations and staycations grew in popularity, travellers sought out lodgings and locations that were relaxing and provided a peaceful environment. People from all occupations and industries, ranging from professionals and entrepreneurs to creatives, are opting for extended stays in villas. Most villas tend to have a large number of rooms, some even designed to serve as home offices for those that are WFH, with reliable internet and other services. By renting villas, travellers can complete their work while also enjoying the change in scenery and location. During their off hours, they can engage in any of the activities the villa has to offer. With a specialised concierge service, the villa can accommodate any additional requests guests may have, for example, a specific massage treatment, or a particular cuisine.

May 2022

Proximity to Metropolitan Cities Villas are a game-changer when it comes to location preference. Unlike typical tourism spots, there is no dependency on regional attractions, whether natural or manmade. They don’t need to be near mountains or beaches, theme parks or famous architecture. While in the past, villas have generally been located near tourism destinations, post-pandemic the focus is on villas located proximal to metropolitan cities. There has been a substantial increase in demand for villa rentals near metro cities such as New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru Gurugram, Chennai, and Pune. Renting villas near cities gives guests greater flexibility in travelling between their residence and villa as needed. For example, if any urgent work comes up, they can easily return to their home base. Conversely, if there is any unexpected free time or low work pressure, guests can travel out to a villa and relax. Suited for Long-Term Stays The coronavirus pandemic extended for longer than anyone could have imagined. While there are signs of the pandemic finally settling down, there have been significant changes to the way people view travel. Long-term stays have traditionally been less in demand, as travellers preferred quick and short trips.

After staying cooped up at home due to lockdowns, people are looking for longer trips. Hotels, motels, or Airbnbs that cater to short-term visitors tend to be bustling and busy, with lower chances of personalised treatment. Villas are excellently suited for longterm trips; they are spacious, private, easily accessible, customisable, and often located nearby. Villas provide a great way for guests to get away from their busy lives and from the same old home they spend all their time in. With a wide range of features available, guests have plenty to occupy themselves with and can settle down into the villa for a longer stay.

May 2022

Rental Vs Purchase Post-pandemic there has been a sizable increase in the demand for villas, both for rentals and purchase. For people interested in occasionally spending time in villas, renting offers greater freedom and flexibility in switching between villas as desired. Villa bookings can be made far in advance or last minute, and there are countless options to choose from. Purchasing requires a greater commitment to a specific villa, and also involves a much higher financial expense. Nevertheless, purchasing is on the rise with businesses/ individuals buying villas as a second home and for the purpose of renting them out. Apart from the initial purchasing costs, villas tend to have high maintenance costs due to their size and need for full-time staff. Villas have emerged as an ideal combination of privacy, luxury, and change of scenery, well-suited for long-term and sudden visits. Post-pandemic, the preference for secluded villas rich in features is here to stay, marking a new frontier for India’s travel industry.

DL-SW-01/4211/20-22 | DATE OF POSTING: 5-6 OF MONTH | RNI NO. DELENG/2010/33723 | DATE OF PUBLISHING: 4th OF THE MONTH