‘Indian Travel Is On Faster Track Than Asia’

Connect-Worldwide, a global service provider for travel companies, hotels, car rentals, airlines and allied sectors, sees India leading tourism in the region. Eric J Otto, president and CEO, Connect-Worldwide, reveals his future plans to Jyoti Koul

What kind of growth prospects do you see in India?

The growth in the Indian market is tremendous. You have 1.3 billion people and the country is on the verge of becoming a global power. There are opportunities here in the outbound market for markets around the world. Currently, we have affiliated offices in 25 countries and that is quite fast because we just started a few years back. Our plan is to be in about 40 countries in the next two years. We will grow because there is an increasing need of outsourcing of sales and marketing.

How are you planning to expand your network in India?

Currently we have our affiliate offices in three cities that include Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore besides Delhi where Outbound Marketing is representing us. We plan to have two more offices representing Connect products in India. We are happy with the expertise of representatives like Vasudha Sondhi (managing director, Outbound Marketing). We are planning to partner with such people in order to be most successful.

What other chains/products are you planning to bring into the country?

We are planning to bring in cruise companies and car rental companies, besides airlines and hotels. But since things are at the planning stage, I cannot divulge more information. However, it must be said that there is a lot of interest and I think by the end of this year we should be representing a few more brands in this market. The outbound market, its growth and the increasing interest about destination marketing will make this possible. This will be series of states or countries wanting to have some representation in the country and it will have to do with the growth of the outbound market. A strong network all over the world gives a lot of strength to the products on offer.

What will be the business module of the new brands that you add to your fold in India?

I think what companies are interested in is to partner with others who know the market very well. The business module is generally to see how to drive the business from the market. It also has to do with the fact that outsourcing opportunities have grown and people are thinking that they can really do without setting up their own offices in other countries which is a more financially viable option saving cost and time. What is more, you have the expertise of people who know that particular market very well and I guess that is very important.