Travel operators who were till recently targeting only foreign travellers for their luxury tour packages are now shifting focus to domestic travellers for their high-end packages.
According to Subhash Verma, vicepresident, Association of Domestic Tour Operators in India (ADTOI), traditionally there was this mindset that Indian travellers are budget conscious and prefers travelling budget but this is fast changing. "There has been a steady growth in Indians choosing high-end luxury cruises. In the last one year there has been a positive upswing towards it," he said.
ALL GAIN NO PAIN FOR AFFLUENT INDIANS
- The mindset that Indian travellers are budget conscious is changing as more Indians are choosing highend luxury cruises
- Luxury villas and spas have come up in places like Kerala, Rajasthan and Goa to cater to this demand
- Luxury tour packages often include exclusive offerings like wine tasting, cabaret shows, gondola & Mercedes rides
- Innovative packages are centred around exclusive offerings like Ferrari tours
- Many packages are inclusive of business class airfares and five- star hotel accomodation
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According to Verma, lots of tour operators are looking at this option and are designing packages to suit the needs of tourists. "Places like Kerala, Rajasthan and Goa have come out with lots of hotels which offer luxury villas and spas to cater to the demand," he said.
Verma said tourists consider luxury holidays as elitist. "Luxury travellers also have high willingness to buy as well. Luxury is increasingly becoming the way of life for many," he said.
Tour operator Kouni Luxury Holidays offers overseas luxury tour packages like Europe Grande, which includes several exclusive offerings, such as wine tasting, indulging in chocolate fondue, watching cabaret shows, taking gondola rides in Venice, horse carriage ride and exploring Europe in a Mercedes.
Then there is the Classic France package, where the tourist can enjoy a stay at the beautiful Chteau de Gilly Luxe in Vougeot, take a dinner cruise on the Seine River or enjoy a candlelit dinner on a yacht and a private tour of Burgundy Vineyards with winetasting as a special attraction.
Cox & Kings too, offers packages like Red Travel Ferrari Tours in Italy. The prices start at 7,900 for four nights and five days. This includes the cost of accommodation and hiring a Ferrari. It is ideal for corporate bigwigs wanting to unwind and indulge in their fantasies as well as couples in search of the ultimate romantic getaway.
The company's South African Explorer package offers tours in private air-conditioned vehicles along with the services of English-speaking driver-cum-guide.
Karan Anand, head (relationships & supplier management), Cox & Kings, said there was never a decline in the luxury travel and tour segment. " Even during the economic crisis, people who had the propensity to spend did so.
Now with the economy growing in double digits, we expect a boom in luxury travel," he said.
Luxury travel and tour contributes nearly 15 per cent of Cox & Kings' business. " With a boom in the economy we expect to see this segment growing by at least 25 per cent," he added.
Kesari Tours & Travels has a separate section called Strawberi Holidays. It has come out with several packages like a six nights and seven days package for Singapore costing around Rs 3 lakh, inclusive of business class airfare, five-star hotel accommodation and travel by Mercedes S-class and another package for New Zealand for the same duration at a price of Rs 5.3 lakh to Rs 7 lakh per person, which includes business class airfare, exclusive lodge stays and helicopter transfers.
Luxury vehicles like Porshe and Ferrari are used for some part of the holiday.
Veena Patil, chairman & managing director (CMD), Kesari Tours & Travels, said luxury travel is on a high. " People are travelling and are more- than- willing to spend for something exclusive. We expect this segment to grow at least to around 20- 30 per cent. We have got good bookings for luxury destinations at places like Vegas, Austria, Switzerland and Bora Bora," she said.
Courtesy: Mail Today 
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