The Indian hospitality industry looks to newer markets this year to make up for the expected drop in tourists from traditional markets.
“As the economy in our traditional catchment areas such as Europe and the US is yet to recover, we are exploring relatively newer geographies such as Russia, Australia and South Africa,” said Mr Vikram Cotah, Senior Vice-President, Radisson Blu Hotels and Resorts GRT.
According to him, the hotel industry is participating in more travel shows in these countries and roping in strategic partners there. Besides, it is also offering “attractive deals” to coax domestic travellers.
Though there was no significant growth in inbound travellers so far in 2012, he said, Tamil Nadu registered 25 per cent growth over the same period last year. However, for the April-September period, the industry depends more on the domestic travel segment.
On its part, Radisson Blu Resort Temple Bay at Mamallapuram has come out with special weekday and week-end offers – which come at 30 per cent discount on tariff rates and on food and beverages. Besides, the hotel has also tied up with HDFC Bank to give its guests who use the bank's credit cards an option to pay back on interest-free instalments.
As an added attraction, we have re-introduced catamaran rides too, said Mr Shabin Sarvotham, General Manager of the property. After a boat accident in Pulicat Lake in which 22 people were killed recently, the State tourism department banned boat rides into the sea. “We are the only resort in the State to get permission for catamaran rides into the sea,” he said.