 |
| Zubin
Karkaria |
Close
on the heels of its ‘Vishwa Darpan’, SOTC has announced
the launch of yet another business unit to promote European
destinations. The new business unit Christopher Columbus Holidays
(CCH) will target 10,000 free individual travellers (FITs)
through its 101 holiday options to Europe in the year 2003.
According to company officials the FIT market is 20 to 30
times higher than group travel market and CCH is the first
organised player in the premium lifestyle travel market.
Though a target of 10,000 (FIT) customers in the first year
of its operation seems a little too ambitious, the company
feels it is achievable since there is no competition with
no two similar products available in the market.
Earlier Kuoni had launched a similar package through its strategic
business unit Sita World Travels. When asked about how it
would market two products from the same house, Zubin Karkaria,
COO, SOTC said that they have discontinued the package launched
by Sita Wold Travel as people found it time consuming to decide
options. “We have ourselves done the permutations and
combinations and have come up with set holiday options. However,
the packages are flexible and offers travellers options to
design their own packages, decide their own budget, length
of stay and the class in terms of accommodation and airline.
The division has opened 15 offices located in the metro cities
and has also tied up with various travel agents to promote
the same. The company has also tied up with all the major
airlines like KLM, Lufthansa, SWISS International, Emirates,
Austrian, Malaysian, Thai, Air India and Singapore Airlines
to facilitate the traveller. Through these packages, SOTC
is promoting Australia, the Middle-East etc. Although the
emphasis is on FITs, the target audience of its packages has
been identified in terms of three categories of FITs, namely
the second time traveller, the evolved traveller and the first
time traveller. All three categories of FITs have the choice
to design the packages at their own pace. The customers also
have the privilege to choose any other airline.
While highlighting the unique selling prepositions of CCH,
Karkaria maintained, “Apart from displaying tremendous
flexibility, Christopher Columbus Holidays offers individual
travellers a wide variety of holiday options to choose from.
As per the punchline of the package, we offer 101 ways to
visit Europe and that is our biggest USP. These holidays can
be tailored for children with special itineraries including
Disneyland, theme parks etc. We have ensured accommodation
at some of the world’s finest hotels allowing for proximity
to city centre attractions.” As far as its plans are
concerned, SOTC is also planning to roll in other destinations
like Africa, Canada, New Zealand very shortly.
| Haryana
Ropes In Sita For Packages To Promote Surajkund Festival |
| In
its 17 years of existence, Haryana tourism has for the
first time charted out special packages for its 17th Surajkund
Crafts Mela. Sita is offering customised day-long tour
packages, specially for foreign tourists. With these packages,
the Mela authorities are hoping to attract a large number
of visitors. The packages are also being pushed by its
partner state Uttaranchal. |
|
