Travel technology enabling niche tourism in India: Key to economic growth

Travellers today want to know other cultures, sports, and with economies becoming a global subject, business leaders want to meet other leaders across the globe. With this, tourist destinations as well as the entire industry must come together to offer quality experiences. This fusion, fortified by technology's prowess, has the potential to provide the much-needed boost to many states’ economy. Niche tourism in India India's Niche Tourism market witnesses people travelling from various ends of the country and globally to soak in the grandeur attached with it. Cultural events such as Pushkar Mela, political meets such as G20, the majestic wildlife sanctuaries spread across the country, rich lanes of rural India along with India’s top notch medical services all fall within the purview of niche tourism allowing for states to strengthen their visibility to tourists and boost valuable funds to the states. Central government and different state governments are already exploring the possibility of further expanding various niche tourism segments by introducing some policies and changes. Punjab, for example, has newer policies and programs aiming towards making it the most sought-after travel destination. Beyond its postcard perfect landscapes, and rich heritage, to attract more tourists, the state has recently announced a series of 19 festivals to showcase the traditions, art forms, and customs under an initiative called "Rangla Punjab”. According to a report by the government, ‘Nation Strategy for MICE Industry 2022’, the exhibition industry in India was growing at a rate of over 8% in the past few years. Another aspect to India beyond its culture and business is its wildlife. The country is home to 567 wildlife sanctuaries and 106 national parks which attracts many tourists every year to these destinations. The government’s conservation efforts are also playing a huge role in this, for example, under Project Tiger, India is now home to 70% of the world's tigers - this achievement will certainly attract more explorers to the country. Sports Tourism is another significant aspect especially in a country like India which witnesses sporting events igniting heighted public enthusiasm. While cricket and football remain to be the top attractions in Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities, with India’s focus on development of sports with programmes such as Khelo India, it won’t be long before the country swiftly diversifies into a plethora of sporting events that captivate stadium audiences with their grandeur. To support this, a study found that India’s sports tourism market is expected to reach USD 52,967 million by 2033.Technologies such as cloud can be leveraged to further streamline the growing demand for travel by OTAs and prepare for scalability during peak demand, avoiding any lags in offering travellers what they seek. For airlines, airports, ground handlers to effectively manage the rise in demand, an efficient Revenue Management System and forecasting tools are essential. Tools such as an Active Forecast Adjustment one can allow for live sales data from non-departed flights to be collated and accordingly airlines can manage and make changes. Dedicated tools can allow airlines to streamline their business, innovate and deliver the desired experience. Travellers today want to know other cultures, sports, and with economies becoming a global subject, business leaders want to meet other leaders across globe. With this, tourist destinations as well as the entire industry must come together to offer quality experiences. This fusion, fortified by technology's prowess, has the potential to provide the much-needed boost to many states’ economy. Niche Tourism in India can very well become the anchor that holds the industry and takes it towards more economical benefits.