Findings of the VIDEC 2023 Indian Traveller Behaviour & Insights Report were
presented on the ATM 2024 Global Stage
The potential of other developing markets, such as China and Latin America,
were also explored on the Future Stage as they emerge as key players in global tourism.
India is rapidly emerging as a crucial
source market for global tourism, driven by significant economic growth, demographic
shifts, and infrastructural improvements, as highlighted on the Arabian Travel Market
(ATM) 2024 Future Stage, as the Middle East’s leading travel and tourism event
returned to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) for its 31 st year.
During the session Unlocking the True Potential of Indian Travellers, Virendra Jain,
CEO and Co-Founder of VIDEC, a travel, tourism and hospitality boutique advisory and
analytics firm, shared key insights, including market opportunity assessments, channel
and distribution analysis, characteristics and behaviours of Indian travellers and
projections of Indian outbound travel trends over the next decade.
According to VIDEC’s 2023 Indian Traveller Behaviour & Insights Report, over three-
quarters of surveyed respondents prioritise travel and tourism for discretionary
spending. The report also shows that 59% of Indian travellers prefer short weekend
trips, and 79% choose domestic over international destinations. Of the international
travellers, 84% were first-time travellers, with Thailand, the UAE and Singapore as the
top destinations, chosen for their proximity, climate and cultural appeal.
Showcasing the findings of the report, which Jain co-authored with Deepak Jain, he
said: “The primary motivator for these trips is the need for a break from daily life, with
33% of travellers seeking leisure escapes. Furthermore, 69% book flights well in
advance, contrasting with last-minute intercity bus bookings. Coupled with India’s rising
digital proficiency and infrastructural enhancements like the UDAN scheme, these
trends are shaping India into a dynamic source market for global tourism, necessitating
targeted engagement strategies to capitalise on this growth.”
Following the presentation, an India Market Insights Summit panel session took place
on the ATM 2024 Global Stage featuring prominent speakers, including Ross Veitch,
CEO & Co-Founder of Wego; Raj Rishi Singh, Chief Marketing Officer & Chief Business
Officer – Corporate at MakeMyTrip; and Ankur Garg, Chief Commercial Officer at Air
India Express. The speakers emphasised the strategic importance of understanding and
targeting the Indian travel market with innovative and tailored marketing strategies,
focusing on sectors such as air travel, hotels, rail, and intercity buses.
Commenting on the session’s impact, Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian
Travel Market, said: “Today’s discussion on the Indian travel market highlighted the
wealth of opportunities and the strategic importance of nuanced marketing approaches
that cater to the unique needs of Indian travellers. This session is a cornerstone for
fostering deeper understanding and cooperation between Middle East travel
professionals and Indian travel enterprises.”
Elsewhere at the ATM 2024 Market Insight Summit, panellists from leading hospitality
brands, including LOTUS, Arabian Adventures, NexusCube and Trojena – NEOM,
explored new sustainable developments, attractions and entertainment offerings that
may open up new opportunities for the Americas.
Held in conjunction with Dubai World Trade Centre, ATM 2024’s strategic partners
include the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), Destination Partner;
Emirates, Official Airline Partner; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Official Hotel Partner and Al
Rais Travel, Official DMC Partner.