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 SPECIAL REPORT

Robust growth in Indian domestic aviation market fails to translate into profits: CAPA
India’s domestic aviation market has grown exponentially in the last 5 years with a growth of 85% since November 2006. However, this growth has rarely translated into profits for aviation players owing to high fuel costs, taxes and poor infrastructure. TravelBiz Monitor presents an analysis on this phenomenon by CAPA
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 IN CONVERSATION
‘We expect 15-20 per cent year-on-year growth from India’ - Christopher Juneau, Senior Director (Marketing) - Asia-Pacific, Concur Technologies
Since establishing its India operations early 2010, integrated travel and expense management solutions provider, Concur, has continued to expand its existing customer base into new geographic markets. Christopher Juneau, Senior Director (Marketing) - Asia-Pacific, Concur Technologies talks to TravelBiz Monitor about the company’s USP and its plans for India
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 GUEST COLUMN
Online models: Key for new agency operations By Sandilya Venkatesh, Managing Director, Eventus Software
The online travel industry has represented a paradigm shift in the way travel is undertaken. First, there were the physical travel agents who collected your cash and bought you a ticket. They had access to a distribution system that gave them the power to resell inventory. As the retail consumer, you had no choice but to go to an agent and pay for the ticket and possibly, a hefty commission. Like all industries, this went through a shift as markets were opened up. Choices increased. Barriers to entry came down. There were more agents and more airlines.
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This Week's Top Headlines
TUI bullish on India growth; to take acquisition route to strengthen hold: Peter Long, CEO, TUI International
  Notwithstanding the global slowdown, the world’s largest travel company, TUI, is bullish about its growth this year. The company, which reported robust year-on-year growth last year, is expecting similar growth ...read more>>
VUSACOM India Chapter launches website
  The Visit USA Committee (VUSACOM) India Chapter, which has been revived as a company under Section 25 of the Indian Companies Act, has launched its website (http://vusa.in) and will be conducting its first activity, ...read more>>
Turkey announces free visas for delegates attending TAAI convention in Istanbul
  Turkey has announced free visas for all delegates travelling to Istanbul for the Travel Agents Association of India’s (TAAI) Diamond Jubilee Convention (Istanbul, March 11-13, 2012). ...read more>>
Singapore Tourism to roll out new marketing campaign in India
  Singapore Tourism will launch a new marketing campaign in India in the next couple of months. With the new campaign, the national tourism board of Singapore plans to enhance the “engagement” with the India market in future. ...read more>>
Bihar Tourism to develop star-rated hotels at key tourist destinations across the state
  Bihar Tourism will set up star-rated hotels of different categories at key tourism destinations across the state. The destinations identified include the capital city, Patna and in the Buddhist Circuit like Rajgir, Bodhgaya, ...read more>>
AirAsia X to stop flying to India, Europe
  Malaysian long-haul low cost carrier AirAsia X will stop flying to Europe and India from its Kuala Lumpur base due to soaring taxes and higher jet fuel prices, it said on its Facebook page today. ...read more>>
Two top officials resign from SpiceJet
  Two key executives, including Chief Commercial Officer Samyukth Sridharan, at low-cost carrier, SpiceJet Ltd, have resigned at a time when the airline is expanding regional operations and is set to post a loss this fiscal. ...read more>>
Emirates planning to operate additional flights on Indian routes
  At a time when most domestic and international carriers are rationalising routes to cut costs, Dubai-based carrier Emirates is planning more flights to India to cater to rising demand from the Indian business and tourism sectors. ...read more>>
The Leading Hotels of the World conducts India Showcase 2012 in Mumbai
  In a bid to help their members understand the Indian market, The Leading Hotels of the World conducted the India Showcase 2012 in Mumbai yesterday. Over 20 member hotels participated in the showcase, ...read more>>
IHCL contemplating new brand between Gateway and Ginger
  The Indian Hotels Company Limited (IHCL), which operates hotels in the luxury, premium, mid-market and value segments of the market through its various brands, is contemplating a new brand ...read more>>
Chatwal Hotels & Resorts plans to launch 52 hotels in five years in India
  Hampshire Hotels & Resorts, the management arm of Chatwal Hotels & Resorts, a US-based hospitality company promoted by Sant Singh Chatwal, announced their major expansion plans for the Indian market ...read more>>
American Airlines cancels Chicago-New Delhi flights
  American Airlines said it will end flights between Chicago and New Delhi and also between Dallas and Burbank, California, and separately will cut about 150 jobs in February 2012. ...read more>>
Unique Global Group inks agreement with Wyndham Hotels to introduce Howard Johnson brand in India
  Ahmedabad-based Unique Global Group, which is into insurance and time share hospitality product-selling in India, has signed a multi-unit, non-exclusive agreement with Wyndham Hotels to develop 35 hotels ...read more>>
Tourism Fiji to conduct four-city road show in India next month
  In order to increase awareness and educate the Indian travel trade about Fiji’s tourism products and offerings, Tourism Fiji plans to conduct a four-city road show in India next month. ...read more>>
Hyatt to add 950 guestrooms across six new hotels in India in 2012
  Hyatt Hotels Corporation will be adding approximately 950 guest rooms across six new hotels in the country in 2012. The new hotels will be operated under Park Hyatt Hyderabad (209 rooms with 42 serviced apartments), ...read more>>
PATA appoints Ivy Chee as Regional Director - Asia
  The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has appointed Ivy Chee as Regional Director-Asia, PATA effective January 16, 2012. Chee, a Malaysian national, will be responsible for promoting PATA's Next Gen range ...read more>>