The second most populated country in the world with rapidly increasing online population holds tremendous potential for online travel marketers.
Evolution
Since 2004-05, when low-cost carriers along with government led Indian Railways laid the foundation for online travel industry, there has been remarkable increase in the online travel activities in the country. Besides this, improvement in internet infrastructure, introduction of secured payment gateways and emergence of OTAs have acted as catalysts for growth of online travel industry in India.
Number of factors have also conspired to limit the growth of the industry such as, low credit card and internet penetration, relatively smaller aviation market and inadequate supply of hotel rooms.
Online Travel Sectors and Emergence of OTAs
Like any other evolving online travel markets, Indian online travel industry is predominantly driven by aviation sector. De-regulation of aviation sector in India, which saw emergence of several low-cost airlines will go in the history books of online travel industry in India. The initiative not only increased the competition amongst airlines but also compelled them to device successful online strategies for themselves.
Entry of Online Travel Agents has further intensified the competition in the online air travel industry and also presented online travel buyers with other travel products for online bookings such as hotels, car rental, buses and packages.
As industry is moving up the life-cycle curve, other products than airline tickets are gaining attention from both online marketer and online travelers. Leading OTAs are shifting their focus from airline to hotel rooms and have channelized their energies towards adding hotel room inventory to their portfolios.
OTA space in India is getting crowded with more than 20 OTAs competing for online travelers ' attention by luring them with lucrative offers and discounts. Backed by PE or VC funding, OTAs are leaving no store unturned to aggressively market their products and services and to increase their share in the online travel industry pie.
Conclusion
Considering all the growth drivers and challenges on the way, Indian online travel industry is poised for tremendous growth in coming years.
Evolution
Since 2004-05, when low-cost carriers along with government led Indian Railways laid the foundation for online travel industry, there has been remarkable increase in the online travel activities in the country. Besides this, improvement in internet infrastructure, introduction of secured payment gateways and emergence of OTAs have acted as catalysts for growth of online travel industry in India.
Number of factors have also conspired to limit the growth of the industry such as, low credit card and internet penetration, relatively smaller aviation market and inadequate supply of hotel rooms.
Online Travel Sectors and Emergence of OTAs
Like any other evolving online travel markets, Indian online travel industry is predominantly driven by aviation sector. De-regulation of aviation sector in India, which saw emergence of several low-cost airlines will go in the history books of online travel industry in India. The initiative not only increased the competition amongst airlines but also compelled them to device successful online strategies for themselves.
Entry of Online Travel Agents has further intensified the competition in the online air travel industry and also presented online travel buyers with other travel products for online bookings such as hotels, car rental, buses and packages.
As industry is moving up the life-cycle curve, other products than airline tickets are gaining attention from both online marketer and online travelers. Leading OTAs are shifting their focus from airline to hotel rooms and have channelized their energies towards adding hotel room inventory to their portfolios.
OTA space in India is getting crowded with more than 20 OTAs competing for online travelers ' attention by luring them with lucrative offers and discounts. Backed by PE or VC funding, OTAs are leaving no store unturned to aggressively market their products and services and to increase their share in the online travel industry pie.
Conclusion
Considering all the growth drivers and challenges on the way, Indian online travel industry is poised for tremendous growth in coming years.
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