Skift India Travel Podcast

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia speaks with Rama Mahendru, India general manager of Intrepid Travel, about the company’s bold 2030 strategy to grow inbound tourism in India by 300%. Mahendru shares insights into why India is pivotal for Intrepid’s focus on immersive and sustainable travel, the infrastructure challenges impacting inbound tourism and how Intrepid is empowering women through its growing team of female tour leaders, addressing perceptions of India among single women travelers. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ Threads: https://www.threads.net/@skiftnews Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/skiftnews.bsky.social X: https://twitter.com/skift Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, we explore how online travel agencies are catering to the evolving needs of affluent millennials and Gen Z in India’s travel market. Anuj Rathi, Cleartrip’s chief business and growth officer, shares insights into shifting travel preferences, from millennial wanderlust to Gen Z’s unique approach to booking. He also talks about the strategy on delivering exceptional customer experiences, managing peak-season price surges, and leveraging strategic partnerships. Tune in for a deep dive into Cleartrip's approach to today’s travel landscape. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

This episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast sets the stage for an in-depth discussion on India's evolving corporate travel market. Avinash Chandani, partner from Deloitte India talks to Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia about the growth potential of the Indian corporate travel market. Key topics include growth drivers, industry trends like blended travel, the impact of technology and data, and the role of travel management companies. The podcast provides an insight into how businesses are navigating high travel costs, geopolitical challenges, and shifting traveler expectations providing a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges in India’s corporate travel landscape, with a mix of data-driven analysis and expert commentary. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Minimalism, for Guatam Munjal, the founder of Minimalist Hotels, is more than a buzzword — it’s about offering a high-quality experience without excess, appealing to travelers who are increasingly eco-conscious. In the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, catch Munjal in conversation with Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia as he talks about integrating hybrid spaces that cater to both work and leisure needs, while aiming to tap into the growing demand for flexibility among young urban travelers. He also sees food and beverage as an essential part of the guest experience, introducing unique concepts like craft cocktail bars and cozy cafés.  Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia is joined by Saniya Zanpure, research analyst at Skift, to explore India’s inbound tourism landscape. Last month, the Indian government announced initiatives aimed at boosting tourism, including offering 100,000 free visas. Despite surging outbound travel, inbound recovery has been slower, making these measures critical. Catch them discuss factors behind this disparity, such as safety concerns, visa issues, and infrastructure challenges, as well as untapped opportunities to enhance India's appeal.  Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia talks to Mehul Sharma, CEO and founder of Signum Hotels and Resorts, about the demand-supply gap in India's hospitality market. Sharma goes on to talk about the growing demand for religious tourism in India and what makes religious destinations such a strong investment for his company. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan dive into the top travel stories from India this month. They explore Leela Hotels’ move toward an IPO, South Afbrica’s new visa reforms, and Oyo’s acquisition of Motel 6. The discussion also covers key trends in Indian aviation and how Indian millennials are driving a surge in travel spending. Key Points Leela Hotels plans a $599M IPO to reduce debt and expand into wildlife and heritage tourism. South Africa introduces visa relaxations aimed at boosting tourism from India and China. Oyo's acquisition of Motel 6 strengthens its presence in North America with 1,500 new locations. Summary In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, the hosts discuss Leela Hotels' $599 million IPO aimed at debt reduction and expansion into wildlife and heritage tourism. The episode also covers South Africa's new visa reforms to attract Indian and Chinese tourists and Oyo's acquisition of Motel 6 to bolster its North American footprint. Additionally, the podcast explores the increasing preference for direct flights among Indian travelers and the rise in travel spending driven by Indian millennials. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Two major names in Indian aviation — Air India and Vistara — are set to become one. On November 11, Vistara will officially merge into Air India. Join Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and Skift Research Analyst Ashab Rizvi as they dive into the merger, weighing whether it's a strategic win or a potential misstep for the Tata Group. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia is joined by Prakash Sangam, the CEO of bus ticketing platform RedBus as they discuss the current state of India's road transport sector. They explore post-pandemic changes in road transport, driven by both technological innovations and changing consumer behavior. Find out why India’s vast network of roads, trains and buses serve as a lifeline for many travelers, in the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Despite a strong recovery in 2023, India’s inbound numbers are still not back to pre-pandemic levels. What’s holding it back? Is it infrastructure, global perception, or something else? Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia in conversation with Dipak Deva, managing director of Travel Corporation India, the country’s largest inbound travel company, as they dive into the challenges facing inbound tourism in the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus India's tourism industry is experiencing a major transformation, fueled by the growing middle class and increased disposable income. Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan recap this month's developments, discussing India's rising influence in global tourism. With the country's booming economy making headlines, what does this mean for global travel? Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia in conversation with Saniya Zanpure, Skift’s research analyst, as they dive into the Skift Travel Health Index (STHI) — a tool that tracks and measures the performance of various travel sectors. They explore why the travel industry in 2024 is mirroring 2023, with insights into the factors driving this stability. Plus, they look at India's rise as a major player in global travel and find out what's fueling this rapid growth. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia sits down with Mahesh Iyer, Managing Director and CEO of Thomas Cook India, to explore how the company is strategically adapting to the evolving preferences of Indian travelers. The discussion delves into the shifting dynamics of India's travel landscape and how Thomas Cook is positioning itself to meet these new demands. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Booking.com’s country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, Santosh Kumar, talks to Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia about the evolution of the new Indian traveler and how travel companies like his are positioning themselves to cater to these diverse travel planning styles. Find more such insights in the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, presented by Amadeus. Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan unpack some of the biggest takeaways from the recent Union Budget announced in India as well as the earnings calls of IndiGo, MakeMyTrip, and the Indian Hotels Company Limited. Find out how the Budget fared compared to the expectations of the travel industry stakeholders in this latest episode of the SKift India Travel Podcast, presented by Aamdeus.  Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

Presented by Amadeus Two years ago, Gatwick had no flights to India, and today the airport connects around 24 weekly Air India flights to four cities — Kochi, Amritsar, Ahmedabad, and Goa. Next month, Air India will be connecting Bengaluru to London Gatwick. Catch Stephanie Wear, the vice president of Aviation Development, at London Gatwick Airport in conversation with Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia on Gatwick's ambitious plans for expanding its connectivity with India in the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, presented by Amadeus.   Connect with Skift LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/skift/ X: https://twitter.com/skift Facebook: https://facebook.com/skiftnews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skiftnews/ WhatsApp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaAL375LikgIXmNPYQ0L/ Subscribe to @SkiftNews and never miss an update from the travel industry.

The vacation rentals market represents a relatively small segment of India's hospitality industry. However, despite its small size, the short-term rental market has significant potential. Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia in conversation with Skift Research’s Varsha Arora as they discuss what’s driving the growth of this sector in India, in the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, presented by Amadeus.

Presented by Amadeus. The big fat Indian wedding just got bigger and fatter. Catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan discuss how Indians splurge twice as much on weddings as they do on 18 years of education. Hear them discuss the evolution of Indian high net-worth travelers, Ixigo’s multi app strategy and the travel industry’s expectations from the India budget. Get more India travel news at skift.com/tags/india Key Points Wedding Spending in India: Weddings are the second-largest consumption category in India, totaling $130 billion, second only to food and groceries. Indians spend twice as much on weddings as they do on 18 years of education. High-profile wedding celebrations, such as Anant Ambani's, illustrate the cultural emphasis on lavish ceremonies. High Net Worth Indian Travelers: Indian travelers are planning to spend more on leisure travel, with a significant portion willing to pay more for luxury hotel brands and wellness-focused trips. Fine dining and exclusive experiences are key drivers for Indian travelers. India is emerging as a key player in the Asia Pacific region for exclusive travel experiences. Ixigo’s Multi-App Strategy: Ixigo has opted to maintain multiple apps rather than consolidating into a single super app. The strategy aims to cater to diverse travel needs, providing focused and customized experiences for different types of travelers. Despite separate apps, Ixigo ensures seamless access to all its services across platforms. InterGlobe's Miiro Hotels to Debut in Europe: Miiro Hotels is launching its first property in Paris, followed by others in Barcelona, London, and Vienna. This venture represents a strategic diversification effort for InterGlobe Enterprises, aiming to tap into the European hospitality market. The focus is on creating profitable and sustainable hotel operations, despite current economic challenges. Inbound Tourism in India: While domestic tourism is booming, international inbound tourism is lagging behind. A significant cut in the budget for global tourism promotion and the need for better visa policies are identified as key issues. The government’s efforts to boost tourism, such as the “Wed in India” campaign, and infrastructure improvements are acknowledged, but more needs to be done to attract international tourists. Union Budget Expectations: The tourism industry seeks consistent support from the government, emphasizing the need for infrastructure status and better policies. Despite previous government promises, the industry still faces challenges in obtaining the necessary support and recognition for its contributions to the economy and employment. All this and more in the latest episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, presented by Amadeus.

Presented by Amadeus In this episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan delve into the significant decline in India-China flight connectivity since December 2019, which saw 539 direct passenger flights reduced to none due to Covid-19 and subsequent border tensions. In sharp contrast is India’s connectivity with the Middle East which they mention is thriving, highlighted by ambitious tourism targets from countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Qatar. They also discuss the growing importance of India as a key tourism source market for the U.S., noting the surge in Indian visitors despite visa wait times. The podcast also touches on financial technology company Paytm's strategic moves to enhance its travel offerings through partnerships with travel aggregators and airlines, reflecting the company's diversification and growth in the travel sector. Get more travel news at Skift.com Presented by Amadeus

Presented by Amadeus.  Long known as the party destination in India, Goa now feels the need to move beyond its image of beaches, nightlife and parties and is looking to present itself as an ideal destination for remote workers. This week at the Skift India Travel Podcast catch Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia and India Reporter Bulbul Dhawan discuss this image makeover of the coastal state and why the launch of a sectoral index specifically to track travel listings is good news for investors and the tourism industry alike. All this and more at this week's episode of the Skift India Travel Podcast. Get more travel news at https://skift.com