Skift India Travel Podcast

Skift

Through insightful conversations, expert analysis, and compelling stories, the Skift India Travel Podcast aims to delve into the dynamic and ever-evolving business of travel in India. Skift Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia is joined by business leaders, and experts from throughout the industry and Skift's newsroom, to explore the challenges, opportunities, and trends shaping the Indian travel industry. read less
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Episodes

What Leela's IPO Signals About the Future of Luxury Tourism in India
Sep 24 2024
What Leela's IPO Signals About the Future of Luxury Tourism in India
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.
Indian Weddings Get Bigger and Fatter
Jul 9 2024
Indian Weddings Get Bigger and Fatter
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.