Tourism Talk: Ministers share vision on exploring India's untapped potential
Talking about the developing tourism sector and it's scope in India, Deep Kalra, chairman and group CEO, Makemytrip.com, said that India has everything to offer in terms of tourist attractions but lags behind in a few sectors.
In Short
- Infrastructure and safety two biggest concerns for tourism in India
- Most people use online sites to book flights and hotels
- Tremendous opportunity to deliver great preview of destinations online
For improving the tourism sector in India, infrastructure and safety were the two biggest concerns raised by the group of leaders speaking at the second edition of Mail Today Tourism Summit at Hotel Taj Palace on Tuesday.
Talking about the developing tourism sector and it's scope in India, Deep Kalra, chairman and group CEO, Makemytrip.com, said that India has everything to offer in terms of tourist attractions but lags behind in a few sectors.
"There are three things we need to improve to ensure the tourism sector flourishes in the country. Infrastructure, safety and the focus on Tourism Industry needs to be improved," said Kalra.
Infrastructure
In terms of infrastructure, three areas - air, railway and roads - should be of major concern. The experts also emphasised how tourists living in the country, primarily the average middle class, should be encouraged to travel more often.
"We all have been talking about the advantages of the tourism industry but sadly we have never delivered what we believe in. Infrastructure is one of the important factors in deciding the tourism industry," said Sharat Dhall, president, B2C, Yatra.com.
App based business
With the development in the technology, more and more people are using these online sites to book flights and hotels in various parts of the country.
"Close to 55 per cent of the business is based on the application these days. Majority of bookings done are used up within six hours. Smartphones are introducing convenience to people. The speed of the mobile phone is almost two-three times higher than the desktop," said Ritesh Aggarwal, founder & CEO, OYO rooms.
Online tools
Discussing the future prospects of the tourism industry and its association with online portals, experts said that there is tremendous opportunity to deliver great preview of what people are getting at present.
"Selling of travel will happen soon," added Dhall.
"Preferences of customers will get stored in advance and the entire journey will become seamless in the coming future. It will be all about convenience," said Kalra.
"We would be able to customise deals for customers and some major developments are on their way," said Ritesh Aggarwal.