Online Travel in India - a Snapshot
Online Travel In India - A Snapshot
It is being estimated that the online travel market in India was estimated at $300 million in 2005 and is expected to cross $750 million in 2006. By 2008, it is expected to exceed $2 billion.
There have indeed been some new ventures in the online travel space recently and there will be more players coming into the market in the near future. The present scenario will only help the common man by empowering him to choose from the various travel options available in the market to make appropriate travel decisions. With the growth of the Internet penetration and the rising disposable income, the timing is only appropriate for more such OTA's to enter the market. However we might see some consolidation similar to global practices but the ones that offer the best value for the consumers will continue to grow.
Online B2C e- commerce is growing at 80 percent every year (source IDC). There is a reported 125 percent growth in the online travel sphere, which is the fastest growing segment across e-commerce, accounting for 60 percent of the total e-commerce pie. There are 10 operating airlines in the domestic market and six new airlines are going to launch operations in the coming year. The hotel product is showing a 100 percent growth in inventory.
The Indian consumer's Annual online consumer purchasing reached approximately US$130 million in 2004-2005, according to the Internet & Online Association of India (IOAI). The total is expected to grow sharply over the next two years, reaching US$ 550 million by 2006-2007. India's travel & tourism has been ranked as second fastest growing T&T in the world with a projected growth of 8.8 percent over next decade (source WTTC). These are all signs that indicate a healthy growth for the travel product and the increasing need to provide a platform for selling these. The focus is increasingly on bringing this to the consumer through a user friendly, convenient online interface. This is being supported by all players in the market, due to the cost effectiveness of the distribution channel, vis-à-vis a brick and mortar travel agency model. Things are certainly looking good for the launch of travel portals.
As we see broadband penetration increasing across India with the inflection point in 2007, I feel the market share figures in online travel will significantly grow. In addition to this you will see a deeper penetration in the product lines and the type of transactions being done online. The predominant market share growth is in the domestic market. Until now in India the domestic market was disorganised and under serviced which lead to and independent DIY traveler with the focus of the travel companies being on the outbound and inbound market .
It is being estimated that the online travel market in India was estimated at $300 million in 2005 and is expected to cross $750 million in 2006. By 2008, it is expected to exceed $2 billion.
There have indeed been some new ventures in the online travel space recently and there will be more players coming into the market in the near future. The present scenario will only help the common man by empowering him to choose from the various travel options available in the market to make appropriate travel decisions. With the growth of the Internet penetration and the rising disposable income, the timing is only appropriate for more such OTA's to enter the market. However we might see some consolidation similar to global practices but the ones that offer the best value for the consumers will continue to grow.
Online B2C e- commerce is growing at 80 percent every year (source IDC). There is a reported 125 percent growth in the online travel sphere, which is the fastest growing segment across e-commerce, accounting for 60 percent of the total e-commerce pie. There are 10 operating airlines in the domestic market and six new airlines are going to launch operations in the coming year. The hotel product is showing a 100 percent growth in inventory.
The Indian consumer's Annual online consumer purchasing reached approximately US$130 million in 2004-2005, according to the Internet & Online Association of India (IOAI). The total is expected to grow sharply over the next two years, reaching US$ 550 million by 2006-2007. India's travel & tourism has been ranked as second fastest growing T&T in the world with a projected growth of 8.8 percent over next decade (source WTTC). These are all signs that indicate a healthy growth for the travel product and the increasing need to provide a platform for selling these. The focus is increasingly on bringing this to the consumer through a user friendly, convenient online interface. This is being supported by all players in the market, due to the cost effectiveness of the distribution channel, vis-à-vis a brick and mortar travel agency model. Things are certainly looking good for the launch of travel portals.
As we see broadband penetration increasing across India with the inflection point in 2007, I feel the market share figures in online travel will significantly grow. In addition to this you will see a deeper penetration in the product lines and the type of transactions being done online. The predominant market share growth is in the domestic market. Until now in India the domestic market was disorganised and under serviced which lead to and independent DIY traveler with the focus of the travel companies being on the outbound and inbound market .
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