Brand USA is now targeting Vizag and other tier-II and III cities to lure prospective tourists.
After seeing emerging markets in India, tourist operators and owners of chain of hotels are promoting Brand USA so as to attract more Indian tourists.
With Indian youngsters capturing a large share in the USA job market, operators expect that parents of those working there and the affluent professionals from tier-II and III cities should avail various attractive holiday packages apart from visiting their near and dear in the USA.
Advait Naik of Global Destinations, an Indian-owned company manned by all Indians, told The Hindu on Monday that being a service provider they are showcasing the USA as a destination. With booming economy, now they have shifted their attention to Vizag, Pune, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and other cities.
He says being one of the leading tourist operators they could handle $1 to 1.5 million worth business from Indian tourists last year. This is expected to go up to $2 to 2.2 million this year.
There seems to be lot of demand for leisure tourism in the West Coast of the USA with little bit of travel to Canada. “Most travellers do not come on first time trips. We are aware that India is a price-sensitive market. Accordingly we offer packages to suit the budget of every segment,” says Vartika Chaturvedi, business development manager (South India) of Globus family of brands.
Being the world’s largest escorted travel company, they are offering 80 plus vacations for group departures at pre-fixed price. The firm, she says offers business-to-business through travel agents.
“Tourist arrivals from India are on the rise. We have wide bouquet of offers – whether it is New York, Niagara Falls, Las Vegas and Alaska. Some even prefer self-driven trips in popular travel destinations,” she says. “After West India, we are getting more visitors from South India,” she discloses.
Even Choice Hotels International -- a chain of hotels was part of the roadshow held in Visakhapatnam on Monday under the aegis of the USA Consulate General, Hyderabad and Vizagapatnam Chamber of Commerce & Industries.
“Business travel from South India is growing with more IT, pharma, petroleum and shipping company executives evincing interest to have vacation in the USA,” says Pananisamy, director (sales & marketing) of Outbound Marketing. Every year they are registering a growth in number of tourists by 27 to 33 per cent.
