2019 commenced with events galore. From tourism boards, to the aviation industry from the world of hospitality to the cruise sector, the industry which makes people travel, was itself on the move. From our very own Express Food & Hospitality expo to other exhibitions in the travel space, the motive was to connect, reconnect, learn and unlearn. India’s Tier II and Tier III cities are gaining prominence especially amidst the NTOs, who are moving into newer regions to position their country in new markets. This clearly reflects the changing face of the travel industry and the steady shift in the demand supply dynamics. On the domestic front, the Association of Domestic Tour Operators of India added a new chapter, which brings home a point that India’s domestic business is looking buoyant.
This month also witnessed some interesting mergers and business collaborations in the MICE space. The tech space is also getting robust. Travel apps are addressing niche demands of consumers. This issue will give you a crisp look into all the above mentioned industry trends and technology. Our cover story this issue, takes you on a trip into the future. The Gen Nxt of the travel trade have a mind of their own. They are keen observers, well grounded and with a passion to deliver. It was interesting to hear how they evaluate and envision the future of this business, which many feel is getting tougher by the day in terms of survival. But the future leaders have their say on what and why they see this business working for them and how they have shaped their careers interestingly by design and not by default. Though they have a pedigree to match up to, they are ready with their respective formulae and frameworks to grow further.
We at Express TravelWorld firmly believe in the cause of responsible and sustainable tourism. We encourage any story that has made an impact towards this highly critical segment. We are glad to learn that the Gen Nxt is looking at working towards the cause with vigour.