A matter of time

We are already a month old into 2010. This year is being looked at with a lot of hope by the industry at large. The feedback received from the industry suggests that business is steadily trickling back and inquiries, though small, seem to be coming in through various channels. Great news indeed, but what seems to be rather upsetting is that, in the zest to get the business, the industry is ready to steal and kill to survive and recover. The policy of ethical trade practices seems to be put on a back burner and the focus is loud and clear - the business has to come into my camp come hell or high water. But I guess everything seems just in love and war. Hope good sense prevails.

Writing in the midst of all the action at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Brunei brings in a feeling of positivity as the participation of both the buyers and sellers looks encouraging. India seems to be the top priority market for most ASEAN nations and, apart from the well established NTOs such as Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore, newer regions such as Brunei and Cambodia are showing their keenness in the India market. Philippines and Indonesia have already made inroads into India, and with Tony Fernandes with his Air Asia flying into five points in India, the ASEAN region is something that needs to be watched closely. Inter-regional tourism between India and the ASEAN region needs to be strengthened further, with Buddhist tourism being the main link in the relationship. The scheduled Buddhist conclave in Nalanda during February 2010 promises to attract a major delegation from the ASEAN region. The ASEAN Promotional Chapter for Tourism (APCT) proposed to be set in Mumbai, will provide a further fillip toward more inter-regional business between the two zones.

The time is right for the India travel fraternity to unite, rather than be fragmented and work with a short sighted approach. In the inbound and domestic front, India can pick up some good learning from countries such as Thailand who work together as a team, providing buyers a product that is highly competitive and achievable, as today even the high end customer has become price conscious. While in terms of India outbound, the world is your play ground. It's all about finding the right product mix, exploring fresh itineraries and offering it to the client in the most acceptable platter.

Reema Sisodia
Editor
editorial.etw@expressindia.com