In a major relocation of the corporate travel landscape, tourism promotion boards of the Gulf and South Asian countries are wooing
Indian executives by offering free sight-seeing, discounted hotel accommodation and even waiving off visa fees for large groups.
Tourism bodies of countries like the UAE, Malaysia, Thailand and Sri Lanka look to attract Indian companies for business meetings, incentive tours, conferences and exhibitions.
“India is one of the few nations where we see companies still spending on travel. After the initial cut in travel spends in late 2008, companies have started spending once again,” said Sunil Puri, India representative of Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB).
The large traditional corporate travel markets of the US, UK, France and Australia have been shrinking following the global downturn, which has had little effect on Indian corporate travel.
Dubai-based travel services firm Lama Desert Tourism managing partner Kulwant Singh says UAE recently waived off visa fee for an Indian travel delegation of 1,800 people to promote itself as a business destination. Most of the nations are offering free extended stay in hotels for Indian business travellers. For instance, if a corporate traveller books a hotel for two nights in Malaysia, she/he gets the third night free, if s/he makes a group reservation and uses the hotel’s convention centre.
Sri Lankan Tourism Board, along with its flagship carrier Sri Lankan Airlines, recently announced a two night / three-day tour package to Indian corporate travellers for just Rs 8,900.
The Malaysian tourism minister and trade representatives are currently in India to hardsell the country as a travel destination and representatives of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Board (TCEB) and HKTB are expected to visit India soon.
“On an average Indian travellers spend $776 per person during an overseas visit, which is even higher for corporate travellers,” said Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board (MTPB) director P Manoharan.
Travel spends by Indian companies is projected at around $12 billion for the year ending March 2010, says a joint study by global travel body National Business Travel Association and corporate travel management firm Egencia. The study expects this to rise by 50% to $18 billion in the next three years, making it one of the most important markets for the global corporate travel industry.
“Indian corporate travel spending has dropped in 2009 compared to last year but the decline is much lower compared to other nations. Indian corporate travel segment is, however, expected to see a rebound soon,” says Gaurav Sundaram, country manager of Egencia.
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