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New Delhi [India], August 4 (ANI): India's <keyword id="21307504" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="outbound-tourism" source="keywords">outbound tourism</keyword> market is expected to reach USD 18817.72 million (USD 18.81 billion) in 2024 and grow at a <keyword id="20256055" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="CAGR" source="keywords">CAGR</keyword> of 11.4 per cent in the decade between 2024 and 2034 to reach approximately USD 55388.41 million (USD 55.38 billion), highlighted a FICCI-Nangia knowledge paper. The paper titled '<keyword id="22661864" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Navigating-Horizons" source="Orion">Navigating Horizons</keyword>: <keyword id="22661865" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Rise-and-Future-of-Indian-Outbound-Tourism" source="Orion">The Rise and Future of Indian Outbound Tourism</keyword>', released during the '3rd Outbound Tourism Summit' here in the FICCI office earlier this week, asserted that few emerging markets and opportunities for outbound <keyword id="19916662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel" source="keywords">travel</keyword> include various Southeast Asian, Middle Eastern, African and Eastern European countries. India's online travel market, which consists of sales of travel services through online channels, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.5 per cent between 2024-29, from USD 17.24 billion to USD 28.40 billion. International travel has thus been eased by the steady growth in affordable technology, states the paper. It further states that the government administration and the tourism industry stakeholders in India may undertake various strategic interventions to promote the outbound tourism market. These include bilateral engagement; improved connectivity; support to travel industry stakeholders; marketing of international destinations; curated packages; and hospitality partnerships, among others. Speaking at the launch of the report, Mary M Mutuku, Deputy High Commissioner of Kenya to India said that Kenya is not only committed to deepen the relations between India and Kenya but also promoting Kenya as a preferred tourist destination. "Currently, the India market is among the top 5 Kenya's key sources of tourists, and this has the potential to grow even further," she said in her brief address. To attract more <keyword id="110519" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-tourists" source="Orion">Indian tourists</keyword> to Kenya, Mutuku stated that Kenya has put in place the necessary infrastructure to ease travel in the country. "With an increase in the number of flights between the two countries along with the opening of the Nairobi Expressway, tourists will have more convenience traveling in Kenya. A new cruise terminal at Mombasa port is a major boost to cruise tourism. The berth targets to enhance passenger handling capacity as well as allow for an increased volume of cruise ships arrival at the port," she added. Seitenov Darkhan, Deputy Ambassador, Embassy of Kazakhstan to India had said, "We have huge potential for mutual and beneficial cooperation in the tourism sector. There has been significant growth in the number of tourists coming to Kazakhstan from India which is also due to offering 14 days visa-free regime for Indian tourists along with an increase in a number of direct flights." While highlighting the investment potential for Indian industry, Darkhan further said that in order to meet the needs of Indian tourists in Kazakhstan, it would be advisable to consider building a network of Indian hotels and restaurants in the major cities in Kazakhstan. "We invite major Indian investors to participate in implementing these initiatives in our country," he added. Geshan Dissanayake, Minister Commercial, High Commission of Sri Lanka in India said, "The strong shared heritage between India and Lanka forms the bedrock of our bilateral relationship. India alone stands out as a key source market for Sri Lanka. The integration of the Indian UPI payment system with 'LankaPay' has made simplified payment options for Indian tourists visiting Sri Lanka," he added. Dissanayake further stated that to fully realize the potential of outbound tourism there is a need to focus on marketing and promotion of various offerings by Sri Lanka; infrastructure development; promoting sustainable tourism and further streamlining the visa process. Working together, we can unlock the potential of outbound tourism between India and Sri Lanka," he added. Jyotsna Suri, Past President, of FICCI and CMD, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group stated that any country has to have healthy inbound and outbound tourism. "<keyword id="644076" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-tourism" source="Orion">Indian tourism</keyword> has witnessed a major growth in the last few years and while we are at the threshold of massive growth, we must be cognizant of sustainability as well," she added. Ankush Nijhawan, Chairman, of FICCI Outbound Tourism Committee and Co-Founder, TBO.com and MD, of Nijhawan Group said that the global travel and tourism industry is expected to reach USD 2.6 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 8.2 per cent. "Traveler preferences are becoming increasingly diverse, and demand tailor-made travel services. Demographic boost, government support, increased connectivity, and niche segment growth are powering India's outbound travel boom," he added. Representatives from the Embassy of Madagascar to India, the Embassy of Georgia to India, the Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Singapore Tourism Board also shared their perspectives during the session.

Indian outbound tourism to reach USD 18817.72 million, grow at over 11% CAGR through 2034: FICCI-Nangia report

Millennials and <keyword id="159493" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="gen-z" source="Orion">Gen Z</keyword> are a cohort born between 1981 and 1996 and contribute to roughly 1.8 billion, equating to more than 23 per cent of the population globally. Millennials have not only changed the demographics of checking into hotels but have also influenced major aspects of the hospitality industry. They play a huge influence and are responsible to dictate many future trends and graphs of the service sector. Their spending power can be attributed to professional advancement, international exposure, and higher discretionary income. The pandemic created work-from-home opportunities that led them to travel extensively, taking advantage of flexible remote working. This led to an increase in travel demand that gave a new boost of life to the hospitality industry. The pandemic created motivation to 'revenge travel' where millennials felt the urge to escape monotony, desire to explore, meet new people and make random travel plans. This has led Indian travel and hospitality professionals to tap the emerging demand by evolving and ditching the conservative approach. Here's to how the hospitality sector can change the game, perhaps forever. Go digital: No matter, how cliche this may sound, it's a digital boom and the new-age traveller uses the internet right from checking in to request a stay, room administration, making payments, planning itineraries, and waiting for the room to open with a digital command. The truth is that Gen-Z doesn't mind undertaking a travel excursion with no human interaction. The only way ahead is to be digitally present. Make room for leisure-merging travel with work: Technology has blurred the boundaries between work and leisure. It's not uncommon for a coding engineer to crack codes whilst on a beach in the <keyword id="6354908" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="maldives" source="Orion">Maldives</keyword>. The millennial believes in 'Work hard, party harder'. The hospitality industry needs to create more holiday spaces where business isn't compromised while on a vacation enabling work-life harmony. Millennials and Experiential travel: Gen Z and Millenials are upbeat, moody, and spontaneous. An itinerary doesn't hold much importance because they may decide to prod an unusual region or destination rather than simply following a tour plan. Experiential travel is on the rise and travellers are looking to explore offbeat regions and immersive experiences. It can be in the form of rural tourism, culinary tourism, or adventure tourism. The crux is to create holidays that are meaningful and authentic. The rise of <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword>'s <keyword id="6363239" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="luxury" source="Orion">Luxury</keyword> villas/homestays and wellness: The pandemic spurred the demand for luxury properties and homestays that are basically weekend homes for a relaxing staycation. Travellers are seeking comfortable private accommodations that are far from the daily hustle, have a stocked kitchen, 24X7 Wi-Fi, and an on-demand staff. A homestay or private villa provides Millenials with the privacy and discretion to travel with groups or solo, relax, unwind, and stride in the property without worrying about restrictions on time and space. Travel and wellness: Millennial travellers are looking for enriching experiences to achieve and maintain good health and a general sense of well-being. This definitely doesn't mean that wellness travel is confined to luxury resorts and spas. The hospitality industry as a whole can take advantage of this emerging trend by marketing your business as a way to contribute to wellness tourism and promoting communities by benefiting locals as well as tourists. It can be as simple as empowering travellers by learning a new skill set that encourages personal growth. The trend of solo travel: Solo travelling is a travel trend that strongly resonates with Gen-Z and millennials. It's a huge opportunity in the hospitality sector if they could successfully cater to this modernized segment of travelling solo. The hospitality sector could create fun and out-of-ordinary properties that reflect the vibrant and adventurous spirit of young travellers. Exploring unique destinations: Unmatchable zeal and enthusiasm is a characteristic that defines the new generation traveller. The rebel millennials are opportunists and adventurers and want to explore unexplored destinations. The new set of travellers wants to break through the conventional shackles of travelling by being torchbearers of exploring unique destinations even if it involves risk. The advent of social media has fuelled the desire to travel to make an impact. Travelling is no longer a behind-the-door experience, but it's the new cool for the <keyword id="15422653" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="millenials-of-india" source="Orion">Millenials of India</keyword>. The hospitality sector can bank on the trend by expanding and investing in unique properties that can create lucrative opportunities that could prove to be profitable investment. The idea is to create travel experiences that are immersive, trending, transformative, and unforgettable. It's an era of adventure and adrenaline rush that also demands moments of calm and peace. Striking a balance between both is like the perfect baked cheesecake, with notes of sweet, creamy, and tangy. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/sustainability/news/a-climate-change-induced-natural-disaster-has-struck-india-every-day-of-2022-so-far-new-cse-report-shows/articleshow/95274864.cms">A climate change-induced natural disaster has struck India every day of 2022 so far, new CSE report shows</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/parents-of-school-going-children-worried-as-quality-of-delhi-air-deteriorates/articleshow/95276609.cms">Parents of school going children worried as quality of Delhi air deteriorates</a>

Are millennials and Gen Z influencing future trends of Indian Hospitality?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This story was delivered to Business Insider Intelligence Payments &amp; Commerce subscribers earlier this morning.</li><li><a href="https://store.businessinsider.com/products/payments-commerce-pro-membership?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=content_marketing&amp;itm_campaign=briefing_post&amp;itm_content=top_text&amp;itm_term=bundle_subscription_text_link-mobile-payment-acceptance-key-to-chinese-tourism-opportunity-2020-1">To get this story plus others to your inbox each day, hours before they're published on Business Insider, click here.</a></li></ul>Chinese outbound tourism rose to approximately 81.3 million trips in the first half of 2019, up 14% year-over-year (YoY), per the Chinese Tourism Academy as cited in a <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYnVzaW5lc3N3aXJlLmNvbS9uZXdzL2hvbWUvMjAyMDAxMjAwMDU1OTMvZW4vTmllbHNlbi1SZXBvcnQtRmluZHMtT3ZlcnNlYXMtTWVyY2hhbnRzLUFjdGl2ZWx5LUV4cGxvcmluZw/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB94ee16fa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">report</a> from Alipay and Nielsen, presenting payments providers with a valuable chance to rack up volume and build loyalty.And considering the most popular factor that affects Chinese tourists' overseas shopping habits is the payment method (37%), which just beats out product quality (36%) and price (36%), payments companies' operations may matter as much as which merchants they work with.Forty-four percent of Chinese tourists in some popular travel destinations like the UK, Singapore, and South Korea use mobile payments most often while just 13% of their general tourist populations do the same, suggesting that accepting mobile payments internationally can help payments companies attract Chinese tourists' payment volume.Both Chinese and international payments firms have much to gain from winning over Chinese tourists with international mobile payment acceptance.Top Chinese payments firms have been chasing international acceptance in a bid to capture more volume and win consumers' loyalty. By being available at a variety of merchants overseas, Chinese payments firms can both garner tourists' international spending and possibly convince consumers to use their services more regularly, including in China, because they can rely on the services no matter where they're paying.That's why Alipay and WeChat Pay, which <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9wb3N0L2ZpbnRlY2gtZGlzcnVwdG9ycy1mcm9tLXRoZS1lYXN0LWFudC1maW5hbmNpYWwtYW5kLXRlbmNlbnQtYXJlLXJhcGlkbHktZ3Jvd2luZy10aGVpci1maW5hbmNpYWwtc2VydmljZXMtZWNvc3lzdGVtcy1oZXJlcy1leGFjdGx5LXdoYXQtdGhleS1vZmZlci1hbmQtd2hlcmUtd2UtdGhpbmstdGhleWxsLWdvLW5leHQtMjAxOS02/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB7c150fc7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dominate</a> China's mobile payments market, have been <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9wb3N0L2FtYXpvbi1kZXZlbG9waW5nLWJpb21ldHJpYy1wYXltZW50LXRlcm1pbmFsLXdlY2hhdC1wYXktaGFzLWNoYW5jZS10by10aHJpdmUtaW4taW5kb25lc2lhLXZlbm1vLWFkZHMtbmV3LXN0aWNrZXJzLWZvci1pdHMtZmVlZC0yMDIwLTE/5d233c18f730436f2414784fBc12ef8a3" target="_blank" rel="noopener">working</a> to <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9xei5jb20vMTU3MDA1Mi9hbnQtZmluYW5jaWFscy1hbGlwYXktaXMtZXhwYW5kaW5nLXJhcGlkbHktb3V0c2lkZS1vZi1jaGluYS8/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB41f2d7dd" target="_blank" rel="noopener">expand</a> their networks and why card network UnionPay is <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9wb3N0L3VuaW9ucGF5LXB1c2hpbmctbW9iaWxlLXBheW1lbnRzLW92ZXJzZWFzLWFtYXpvbnMtbWFya2V0cGxhY2UtY291bGQtc2VsbC1maW5hbmNpYWwtc2VydmljZXMtYWlmaS1yZXRyb2ZpdHMtc3RvcmUtd2l0aC1hdXRvbm9tb3VzLWNoZWNrb3V0LXRlY2gtMjAyMC0x/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB6ecf277a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">making</a> an international acceptance push that's focused on its mobile payments service.As international payments companies gain access to China, they should take advantage of their merchant acceptance networks to bring in volume. <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9wb3N0L2FtYXpvbi10YXJnZXRzLWx1eHVyeS1mYXNoaW9uLWFtZXgtY2xlYXJlZC1mb3ItY2hpbmVzZS1vcGVyYXRpb25zLWNoYXNlLXVwcy1zYXBwaGlyZS1mZWUtYW5kLXBlcmtzLTIwMjAtMSNJVEVNJTIwMg/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB661fafe8" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American Express</a> and <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9wb3N0L21hcnFldGEtaGFzLWJlY29tZS1hLXRvcC1pc3N1ZXItcGF5cmFpbHotZW5hYmxlcy1iaWxsLXBheS1leGNoYW5nZS1wYXlwYWwtY2xlYXJlZC1mb3ItY2hpbmEtZW50cnktMjAxOS0xMiNJVEVNJTIwMw/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB9408f46a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PayPal</a> are on their way to operating in China, and a new <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbnRlbGxpZ2VuY2UuYnVzaW5lc3NpbnNpZGVyLmNvbS9wb3N0L25ldy10cmFkZS1kZWFsLW1heS1oZWxwLXVzLXBheW1lbnRzLWZpcm1zLWVudGVyLWNoaW5hLWdvb2dsZS1ib29zdHMtYXBwYXJlbC1zZWFyY2gtY2FwYWJpbGl0aWVzLWViYW54LWxhdW5jaGVzLWRpZ2l0YWwtd2FsbGV0LTIwMjAtMQ/5d233c18f730436f2414784fBe1fc06d7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">trade deal</a> between China and the US may make it easier for more firms to enter the market as well.These firms will be dropped into a very competitive industry, but they may be able to attract Chinese consumers due to their established and extensive merchant acceptance networks: If these players can convince international merchants to accept mobile payments by talking up the value of attracting Chinese tourists, that would likely boost the payments' players volume in turn. Additionally, these companies need to ensure their payment options are available for use in mobile payment platforms that are already used by or easily accessible to Chinese tourists.But payments firms interested in the opportunity must pay close attention as China <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubnl0aW1lcy5jb20vMjAyMC8wMS8yNS93b3JsZC9hc2lhL2NoaW5hLWNvcm9uYXZpcnVzLmh0bWw/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB6cf49d8b" target="_blank" rel="noopener">limits</a> outbound travel in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Travel and tours out of the country are being restricted, likely lessening the amount of payment volume available from tourists this year, especially since the outbreak is overlapping with China's Lunar New Year, which is traditionally a popular time for <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly9za2lmdC5jb20vMjAyMC8wMS8yNC93aGF0LXRoZS1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1tZWFucy1zby1mYXItZm9yLXRoZS10cmF2ZWwtaW5kdXN0cnkv/5d233c18f730436f2414784fB5f5e43a7" target="_blank" rel="noopener">travel</a> and <a href="https://e.businessinsider.com/click/19279096.4/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudm94LmNvbS90aGUtZ29vZHMvMjAyMC8xLzIwLzIxMDY5NDc3L2x1bmFyLW5ldy15ZWFyLWJyYW5kcw/5d233c18f730436f2414784fBa4c7b31a" target="_blank" rel="noopener">spending</a>.This will not necessarily impact Chinese tourists' spending behaviors in the future, but payments firms would be wise to watch closely to manage expectations and see if any strategic adjustments need to be made.Want to read more stories like this one? Here's how to get access: <ol><li>Sign up for Payments &amp; Commerce Pro, Business Insider Intelligence's expert product suite keeping you up-to-date on the people, technologies, trends, and companies shaping the future of consumerism, delivered to your inbox 6x a week. &gt;&gt; <a href="https://store.businessinsider.com/products/payments-commerce-pro-membership?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=content_marketing&amp;itm_campaign=briefing_post&amp;itm_content=top_text&amp;itm_term=bundle_subscription_text_link-mobile-payment-acceptance-key-to-chinese-tourism-opportunity-2020-1">Get Started</a></li><li>Check to see if you already have access to Business Insider Intelligence through your company, or inquire about access if you don't. &gt;&gt; <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/corporate-check?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=content_marketing&amp;itm_campaign=briefing_post&amp;itm_content=learn_more_text&amp;itm_term=enterprise_text_link-mobile-payment-acceptance-key-to-chinese-tourism-opportunity-2020-1">Check If You Have Enterprise Access</a></li><li>Explore related topics in more depth. &gt;&gt; <a href="https://store.businessinsider.com/collections/payments-commerce?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=content_marketing&amp;itm_campaign=briefing_post&amp;itm_content=learn_more_text&amp;itm_term=enterprise_text_link-mobile-payment-acceptance-key-to-chinese-tourism-opportunity-2020-1">Visit Our Report Store</a></li><li>Current subscribers can log in to read the briefing <a href="https://intelligence.businessinsider.com/post/mobile-payments-key-to-capturing-chinese-tourists-spending-tch-raising-real-time-transaction-value-limit-mercado-pago-pushing-into-new-services-2020-1">here.</a></li></ol><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/intelligence/10-up-and-coming-fintechs-2019?IR=T&amp;itm_source=businessinsider&amp;itm_medium=ctgr_bii&amp;itm_term=ctgr_leadgen&amp;itm_content=finance&amp;itm_campaign=10-up-and-coming-fintechs-2019-2"></a>

As China's outbound tourism rises, mobile payments will be key to capturing Chinese tourists' spending

<ul><li>The Indian railways stock has surged over 400% since its debut on the stock exchanges in October 2019.</li><li>Analysts are highly positive about <keyword id="65866" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="irctc" source="Orion">IRCTC</keyword>’s aggressive expansion plan in the hospitality sector and believe that the stock would reach ₹5,000 from the ₹3,000-level currently.</li><li>The market capitalisation of the stock is ₹63,726 crore.</li></ul>Shares of the <keyword id="70669" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-railway-catering-and-tourism-corporation" source="Orion">Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation</keyword> (IRCTC) have been trading with huge volumes in the last few weeks to gain almost 50% in one month. These quick gains have made the shares of the company spike 5 times i.e., 410% since its listing on exchanges in October 2019. Analysts believe the stock price is rising because of the company’s aggressive expansion plan in the hospitality sector. "IRCTC is aggressively focusing on its hospitality business by tying up with hotels, tour and travel service providers and local food suppliers. It is also giving special focus to its food chain business in running trains. Apart from this, IRCTC has made tie-ups with aviation companies as well. So, [the] market has realised that in coming times, it is no more [sic] going to remain an Indian Railways' e-ticket booking platform. It will emerge as A-Z hospitality service provider," said Ravi Singhal, vice chairman at GCL Securities according to a report by Mint. Analysts at Swastika Investmart reportedly say the reopening theme post covid restrictions is the reason for the traction in the stock along with news of stock split. Railways' <a href="https://www.livemint.com/market/stock-market-news/why-analysts-are-bullish-on-irctc-ircon-here-are-the-triggers-11629954156351.html">asset monetisation plan</a> is another trigger for the stock rise. On August 12, IRCTC approved a stock split in the ratio of 1:5 to enhance the liquidity in the capital market, widen the shareholder base and make the shares affordable to small investors. A stock split is generally done to make the stock more affordable for the small retail investors and increase liquidity. On September 17, the stock was up 5.44% as of 10:43 a.m., with heavy volumes. 5.29 million shares changed hands on the exchanges as compared to a roughly average volume of around 1 million shares. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Period </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Gains in IRCTC share price </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Last 5 days </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">17% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">One month </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">48% </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">This year so far </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">174% </td></tr></tbody></table> IRCTC is a central public sector enterprise operating in four segments, namely internet ticketing, catering, packaged drinking water, and travel and tourism. Aside from being the preferred portal for booking tickets, its subsidiary Rail Neer already accounts for nearly one in every two bottles of water sold in any railway station in India. Moreover, the company has been performing well on the financial front as it made a profit of ₹82.53 crore in June quarter 2021 as compared to loss of ₹24.60 crore during the same period last year. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/universal-pension-is-a-better-idea-than-universal-basic-income-says-indias-chief-economic-advisor/articleshow/86282048.cms">Future of Work 2021: Universal pension is a better idea than universal basic income, says India's Chief Economic Advisor</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/careers/news/the-only-way-to-beat-the-bots-from-taking-your-job-is-to-be-more-human/articleshow/86282273.cms">Future of Work 2021: The only way to beat the bots from taking your job is to be more human</a>

IRCTC soars almost 50% in one month on expansion strategy, boost in train bookings

In an uncharacteristic response from an industry body which tend to be mellow in their take on government policies, the Federation of Associations in the Indian Tourism &amp; Hospitality (<keyword id="6389686" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="faith">FAITH</keyword>), said on Sunday that the Indian tourism industry has "gone into a state of disbelief and shock". This is the policy federation of all the national associations representing the complete tourism, travel and hospitality industry of India. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="75790707" title="Lockdown 4.0 ⁠— India issues new guidelines allowing states to decide the red, green, and orange zones" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div> "The industry has gone numb from a lack of any umbrella direction from the government or without any fiscal &amp; monetary support," it said. The industry body said, "Indian Tourism industry goes into a state of shock and disbelief as there were no announcements to support tourism, 10 weeks of constant discussions come to a naught and industry has gone directionless". With no visibility of cash inflows the Indian tourism industry is now looking at large scale bankruptcies, business closures which will lead to job losses across cities, towns and hinterlands of India. This has the potential to set back the Indian tourism, travel and hospitality industry by many years, it said. The body said that the Indian tourism industry was looking forward to deep set of survival measures for tourism from the Rs 20 lakhs crore package announced over 5 days, which however were not addressed. The Indian tourism, travel and hospitality sector impacts almost 10 per cent of GDP through its direct and indirect impact. It has already seen over one quarter of accumulated losses which began from February onwards. There is no cash inflow expected for many quarters over FY20-21 as the key segments of the Indian tourism economy will be down. The international inbound tourists, inbound and VFR - (visiting friends and relatives) and the outbound travel will remain mostly non-performing due to international flight restrictions and tragic impact in most key markets tourism markets of India, the association said. "Domestic travel and corporate travel within the country may slightly ease up post lockdown but will be highly restricted due to fear of travel among elders and children, the new social distancing norms, corporate travel freeze and the closure of the holiday season which will impacting all leisure, adventure, heritage, spiritual, cruise and niche tourism segments," it said. The meetings incentives exhibitions &amp; events segment will be severely impacted due to the meeting size restrictions. Consequently all tourism service providers, the hotels, travel agents, tour operators tourist transporters, restaurants, guides will be compromised and the tourism industry of India will be operating with extreme under capacities making most tourism businesses unviable on a cash operating basis. To prevent this and to ensure survival, FAITH had proposed a dedicated interest and collateral free long term fund for paying salaries and operating costs and for a minimum of 12 months of complete waiver of fixed central &amp; state statutory and banking liabilities without any penal or compounding interest which have not been addressed. The proposed MSME fund with its many underlying restrictions may have a very limited usage. FAITH &amp; its ten member associations (ADTOI, ATOAI, FHRAI, HAI, IATO, ICPB, IHHA, ITTA, TAAI, TAFI) had been constantly dialoguing with all factions of the government over the past 10 weeks the PMO, ministries of Finance, Commerce , Aviation, and Tourism, with RBI, with all 28 Chief Ministers, Niti Aayog and with the Empowered Group 6. Indian tourism travel and hospitality impacts 10-12 per cent of India's employment which covers almost 5 crore plus direct and indirect jobs. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/indian-firms-can-now-directly-list-in-foreign-markets-there-are-a-few-more-big-changes-to-companies-act/articleshow/75785648.cms">Indian firms can now directly list in foreign markets – there are a few more big changes to Companies Act</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/news/india-will-merge-some-government-companies-and-privatise-some-cpse/articleshow/75785709.cms">India will reduce the number of central government companies⁠— some of them will get bigger and some will be sold to private players</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/india-puts-a-pause-on-new-bankruptcy-cases-for-a-year-and-other-changes-that-will-cap-the-rise-in-bad-loans/articleshow/75785508.cms">India puts a pause on new bankruptcy cases for a year ⁠— and other changes that will cap the rise in bad loans</a>

'Indian tourism industry is in a state of shock and disbelief'

<ul><li>In the Asian market, the SGX Nifty was trading 0.38% lower at 7:49 am, indicating a lower start for Nifty50. </li><li>Here’s a list of stocks to watch for in trade today. </li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Check out the latest news and updates on Business Insider. </a></li></ul>Amidst negative cues from the global markets, the Indian equities are likely to open in red on Wednesday. In the Asian market, the SGX Nifty was trading 0.38% lower at 7:49 am, indicating a lower start for Nifty50. The US stocks ended lower on Tuesday as investors digested a slew of earnings reports. The Dow Jones Industrial Average closed 0.55% lower, whereas the S&amp;P 500 lost over 22.29 points. These are the stocks to watch out for during the trading session on October 14: Future Enterprises Kishore Biyani led Future Group entity; Future Enterprises defaulted on a payment of the interest on Non-Convertible Debentures with ₹15.14 crore. The due date for fulfilling the interest was October 12. This may move stocks of other Future Group entities like Future Retail, Future Lifestyle Fashion, Future Consumer, among others. The shares of Future Enterprises ended 2% lower, whereas Future Retail, Future Lifestyle Fashion, and Future Consumer were up 7%, 4% and 2%, respectively. Wipro The IT services giant Wipro posted a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-posts-stable-quarter-profit-rises-3-2-with-revenue-guidance-of-1-5-to-3-5-over-the-next-three-months/articleshow/78640025.cms">stable quarter </a>with a 3.2% rise in profit and has guided for a 1.5-3.5% revenue growth in Q3. The board has also approved a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/wipro-board-approves-9500-crore-share-buyback-plan/articleshow/78638511.cms">buyback plan</a> up to ₹9,500 crore at ₹400 per share. The shares of Wipro ended 0.61% higher yesterday. Infosys Also, watch out for the IT major Infosys stocks — the company is scheduled to report its second-quarterly earnings. Investors are watching out for a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/infosys-announce-second-quarter-earnings-on-october-14/articleshow/78640964.cms">guidance revision </a>on the higher side. The shares of Infosys ended 3% higher yesterday. Bharti Airtel The telco giant Bharti Airtel Group entities moved to the Supreme Court challenging the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) order directing them to pay more than ₹100 crore to Aircel. The shares of Bharti Airtel ended 0.23% higher yesterday. IRCTC The Indian Railways operator Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) announced the completion of tenure of Comal Ramachandran Sundaramurti as an Independent Director on the Board. The shares of IRCTC ended 0.18% higher yesterday. SRF Limited The specialty chemicals manufacturing company SRF’s Qualified Institutional Placement (QIP) committee is scheduled to meet on October 16 to decide the issue price. The shares of SRF Limited ended 0.16% higher yesterday. NTPC Limited The company announced its plans to raise ₹4,000 crore via the issue of Non-Convertible Debentures. The shares of NTPC Limited ended 0.12% higher yesterday. Adani Green The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has approved the acquisition of various solar energy assets by a joint venture of Adani Energy and Total Solar. The shares of Adani Green ended 5% higher yesterday. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/apple-new-iphone-12-series-with-5g-launched-starting-at-rs-69999-along-with-side-homepod-mini-debut/articleshow/78647779.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Apple's new iPhone 12 series with 5G launched starting at ₹ 69,999 along with HomePod Mini debut</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-just-revealed-the-magsafe-charger-a-brand-new-wireless-charging-pad-for-iphone/articleshow/78647415.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Apple just revealed the $40 MagSafe charger, a brand new wireless charging pad for iPhone 12</a>

Top stocks to watch — Wipro, Infosys, Future Retail, Airtel, IRCTC, SRF, and others

With India's economic recovery catching a faster pace, the next <keyword id="5966195" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="multibagger-stocks" source="Orion">multibagger stocks</keyword> might emerge from sectors like power, tourism, realty and IT sectors. Lately, banking, PSUs and even the stocks of brokerage firms have shown an upward trend. However, steep valuations have somewhat subdued investors' interest, said industry experts. Nonetheless, an accelerated economic recovery has boosted demand for sectors such as power and tourism. Consequently, stocks of companies in these sectors hold potential for giving future healthy returns. "IT sector has seen tremendous growth in the last two years since the lockdown as more and more companies move towards making themselves digitally equipped to tackle any such situation in the future," said Vijay Dhanotiya, Senior Research Analyst, CapitalVia Global Research. "We have also seen strong demand environment, sustained margins and improved cash flows which is expected to continue and hence we believe it will be one of the outperforming sectors in the market." Besides, he cited <keyword id="997729" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="power-sector-stocks" source="Orion">power sector stocks</keyword> to hold great potential. "Indian power sector has seen outstanding demand growth and India has become the fourth largest energy consumer in the world. Power sector has also seen growth due to the government policies as well as the demand increases. "Indian government has allowed 100 per cent FDI in the sector and has allowed the private players to enter the market. The sector is seen as one of the top outperforming sectors as the demand of energy is sought to increase at an unprecedented pace." Furthermore, MOFSL's advisory subsidiary Teji Mandi, CIO Vaibhav Agrawal said that travel and tourism sector is expected to "do well on account of the opening up of the economy and revenue consumption". "Even real estate as a sector is at an inflection point on account of low interest rates, tax savings on buying houses and increase in people's affinity to buy houses." "Furthermore, resumption of office life should help to increase demand for commercial real estate as well." According to Rahul Sharma, Co-Founder, Equity99, sectors such as real estate, specialty-chemicals and automobiles are guiding the next stage of rally. "This sector (specialty-chemicals) has sawn some correction in recent times due multi-fold rise in raw-material prices," Sharma said. "However, considering the increasing demand and steady increase in end products price by companies we expect the raw material price increase to not have significant impact." In addition, he pointed out that automobile sector has taken a huge hit by chip shortage crisis and is available at "good discount". "However, we think that correction in this sector is over and is ready for next stage of up-move." "Also there has been significant demand for EV vehicles and most companies are launching many EV models. We are bullish on this sector and expect a good move here." SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/nykaa-vs-itc-memes-are-hilarious-but-it-may-not-be-the-right-comparison/articleshow/87755496.cms">Nykaa vs ITC memes are hilarious but it may not be the right comparison</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/the-excitement-around-go-fashion-ipo-is-making-money-for-shareholders-of-tcns-clothing-too/articleshow/87756224.cms">The excitement around Go Fashion IPO is making money for shareholders of TCNS Clothing too</a>

Next multibagger stocks might emerge from sectors like power, tourism, realty and IT sectors

<ul><li>Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor <keyword id="6359111" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Shaktikanta-Das">Shaktikanta Das</keyword> outlined five areas he believes will determine the Indian economy’s growth in the post-COVID world. </li><li>This includes human capital, productivity, exports, tourism, and food processing associated productivity areas. </li><li>According to him, the economy is showing signs of stability, but recovery will be “gradual.” </li></ul>Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Shaktikanta Das highlighted that India’s economy is showing signs of stability; however, recovery hereafter will be “gradual,” during a webinar organised by industry body FICCI. He cited that current government security borrowing rates are at a 10-year low, bond yields have softened, and the market is bouncing back. Nonetheless, India’s apex banking solution has not ruled out the possibility of taking more measures to help the economy recover as it carefully monitors the markets. “There are five key areas that I propose to focus on that I think will determine stability and step India’s growth in the medium term,” said Das. Here are the five areas that the <keyword id="64190" type="POSITION" weightage="20" keywordseo="RBI-Governor">RBI Governor</keyword> highlighted: 1. Human capital with specific emphasis on education and health “Investing in people adds to the stock of skills, expertise and knowledge available in a country and that is critical to maximise its future potential growth,” said Das. He added that the goal to increase public investment in the education sector to 6% of the GDP can be met with help of public-private partnerships (PPPs) to develop the necessary infrastructure, without jeopardising financial viability of private investment while ensuring quality education at affordable costs. 2. Productivity Das cited a World Bank study which showed how past pandemics like Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome SARS, Ebola and Zika hit productivity by nearly 4% over three years. “The COVID impact on productivity could be expected to be much higher,” he said. Das called on the industry to step up R&amp;D investment with the government focusing on creating an enabling environment. 3. Exports to boost India’s role in the global value chain The RBI Governor pointed out that India’s participation in global value chains (GVCs) has been lower than many emerging and developing countries. “Among the sunrise sectors that offer potential for higher exports in the post-COVID period are drugs and pharmaceuticals where India enjoys certain competitive advantages,” he said. According to Das, the government’s “sharp policy focus” on GVC intensive “network products” — IT hardware, electrical appliances, automobiles and others — will also boost India’s export strategy with scope for higher value addition. 4. Tourism Tourism has been one of the most heavily impacted sectors during the coronavirus pandemic. However, Das believes that it’s also the sector where pent up demand could drive a V-shaped recovery once the world normalises. “The multi-pronged supportive policy interventions in the sector may have to be reviewed and revamped, if tourism has to contribute more to the economy matching its potential,” he said. 5. Food processing associated productivity areas Das believes that like drugs and pharmaceuticals, food processing is another sunrise industry in India. “ Its importance in the consumer basket has increased over time, led by rising per capita incomes, urbanisation, and change in consumer perceptions regarding quality and safety,” he said. But, there is a need for the sector to move up the value chain, according to the RBI Governor. . “India can move up in the global agricultural value chain by increasing its share of processed food exports, for which quality standards will be a critical factor,” explained Das. These five areas along with the five factors he had highlighted in July will help India rebuild its economy, according to him. “They [the five factors] may escape our attention in this all-consuming engrossment with the pandemic, but they could be nursing the potential to repair, to rebuild and renew our tryst with developmental aspirations,” Das said at a webinar, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). These are the five ‘dynamic’ shifts the RBI Governor had highlighted earlier: <ol><li>Fortunes shifting in favour of the farm sector </li><li>Changing energy mix in favour of renewable energy </li><li>Leveraging information, information communication technology (ICT) and start-ups </li><li>Strengthening supply and value chains </li><li>Focusing on infrastructure as a growth multiplier </li></ol>SEE ALSO:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/gadgets/news/apple-watch-series-6-ipad-air-ipad-8-and-apple-one-will-be-available-in-india/slidelist/78141813.cms">Apple Watch Series 6, iPad Air, iPad 8, and Apple One will be available in India — here’s how much they cost</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/amid-india-china-standoff-tencent-is-back-with-an-investment-in-flipkart/articleshow/78140794.cms">Amid India-China standoff, Tencent is back with an investment in Flipkart</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/-indias-surging-covid-19-infections-is-testing-the-health-infra-once-again/articleshow/78143000.cms">India’s surging COVID-19 infections is testing the health infra once again — beds added during lockdown aren’t enough</a>

RBI Governor highlights five key areas that will determine India's growth in the post-COVID world

<div class="KonaFilter image-container float_right click-to-enlarge"><div class="image"><a title_source="AP Photo/Kin Cheung" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/538649b1eab8ea73411e8977-960/hong-kong-nike.jpg"></a>AP Photo/Kin Cheung</div></div>FA Insights is a daily newsletter from Business Insider that delivers the top news and commentary for financial advisors.
<a href="http://www.ustrust.com/ust/pages/index.aspx">Two Ways To Invest In The Emerging Market Consumer</a> (US Trust)
Consumption in developing nations jumped 231% between 2000 and 2012, according to Joseph P. Quinlan, chief market strategist at U.S. Trust. But what consumers spent in developing nations in 2013, was only 60% of what developed nations spent. "There is tremendous upside to emerging market consumer spending as more women in Africa become educated and enter the workforce; as more Chinese and Indian workers move from the farm to the cities and become urbanized shoppers; and as more consumers in the Middle East and Central and South America log on to the Internet and become connected to the world," writes Quinlan.
He highlights two ways to invest in the emerging market consumer. 1. "The Power of Global Brands and America's Competitive Advantage" - "The appeal of Western brands and an expanding middle class will continue to drive brand value, in our view. Some of the best plays on the expanding middle-class consumers in the emerging markets are outlined on the accompanying table." 2. "China and the Coming Boom in Global Tourism" - "The world is shrinking, transportation costs are declining, new destinations are becoming accessible and new travelers/tourists from China and other places are taking to the roads, rails and sky in record numbers." writes Quinlan. "Global brand leaders in hotels, airlines and other related tourist activities (including real estate) will be the primary beneficiaries of this trend."
<a href="http://www.investmentnews.com/article/20140528/FREE/140529930">HIRSCH: 'We Might Sell In May, But We Don't Go Away'</a> (Investment News) 
"Sell in May and go away," is an often heard investing rule of thumb. Jeff Hirsch, editor-in-chief of the Stock Trader's Almanac, tells Investment News that "we might sell in May, but we don't go away." Instead Hirsch is taking a defensive stance. "We tighten some stops, limit new longs and take some additional bond positions, usually through the iShares Core Total U.S. Bond Market ETF (AGG)," he said. 
"The Fed is still very accommodative. Even with the tapering, rates are still at zero. And there is some decent economic data starting to show up. We are expecting some form of correction of maybe 10% to 15% over the next six months, but it doesn't mean you have to just sell willy-nilly. You can sell some underperformers and take some defensive positions."
<a href="http://online.wsj.com/articles/voices-jim-whiddon-on-selling-the-advisory-firm-sooner-than-later-1401288240">4 Things To Consider When Selling Your Firm</a> (The Wall Street Journal)
Jim Whiddon, director of investor enrichment for the BAM Alliance, sold his firm in his early 50s. In a new WSJ column he writes that it might make sense to make a sale sooner rather than later. Some of the factors that weighed on him were 1. His ability "to weather another financial storm;" 2. "Coping with new federal regulation was another factor in my decision," by way of Dodd Frank; 3. "The rise of robo-advisers and online-advising solutions;" 4. It was also a matter of timing. "Close to eight million companies are set to be sold by boomer-age business owners over the next 15 years. That's a demographic tsunami whose waves will be felt throughout the RIA space. The longer I waited to sell my firm the less attractive my prospects looked." Whiddon writes that advisors should be flexible about their future plans and should perhaps consider selling sooner rather than later.
<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/institutional-investor-home-bias-2014-5">Investors Around The World Have A Huge Bias Toward Home</a> (Mebane Faber Research)<a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/institutional-investor-home-bias-2014-5"> </a>
This chart from JP Morgan, via Mebane Faber shows that global institutional investors around the world have a domestic bias.
<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table click-to-enlarge"><div><div class="image"><a title_source="JP Morgan" title_caption="" class="zoomin" href="https://static-ssl.businessinsider.com/image/53846959ecad04b448dfdb95-960/screen-shot-2014-05-26-at-1.59.33-pm.png"></a>JP Morgan</div></div></div>
<a href="http://wealthmanagement.com/industry/dol-pushes-back-timeline-fiduciary-ruleagain">Department Of Labor Delays Fiduciary Rule Proposal</a> (WealthManagement.com)<a href="http://wealthmanagement.com/industry/dol-pushes-back-timeline-fiduciary-ruleagain"> </a>
The Department of Labor has postponed the its proposal for a fiduciary rule intended to reduce conflicts of interest to January 2015, reports Megan Leonhardt. "With the election, it was completely unsurprising and perhaps good news," Knut Rostad, president of the Institute for the Fiduciary Standard told Leonhardt. "Fiduciary duty has received a beating in Washington. The outreach strategy needs a reboot; this extra time could prove hugely beneficial."

2 Ways To Invest In The Rise Of The Emerging Market Consumer

Despite the financial crisis in Greece and the possibility of the south-eastern European country leaving the Euro-zone, outbound travel from India to Greece will remain unaffected in the upcoming holiday season due to strengthening of rupee against euro, reported the Economic Times. 
 

	Greece is a popular holiday destination and one of the fastest-growing tourist places in Europe for Indian travellers, Ranjeet Oak, chief business officer — holidays at MakeMyTrip, told the financial daily. 
 

	The Mediterranean destination, a favourite among Indian honeymooners, usually attracts tourists from the subcontinent during April-June and in winter. 
 

	Moreover, it has become cheaper for Indians to travel to Greece after rupee strengthened 8.2% against euro since December 2014, according to currency dealers.
 

	"The euro has been weak for a while and this has made all EU countries more attractive for travel due to better exchange rates," said Oak. 
 

	Karan Anand, head — relationships at Cox &amp; Kings said that tourists heading to Greece in coming months will benefit with a price reduction of at least 20%. 
 

	Known for its cultural landmarks and beautiful beaches, Greece has become a sought after exotic destination for Indians over the years. Contrary to expectations of cancellations on account of the financial turmoil in Greece, travel companies are getting more calls. 
 

	Thomas Cook (India) Senior Vice President, Jatinder Paul Singh said that there has been a rise of about 35% in bookings for Greece. 
 

	Travel companies are encouraging Indian tourists to go ahead with their Greece trips, saying there will be very little effect on them and that it's business as usual in the country. 
 

	Greece rejected a bailout offer from Europe, raising the prospect of the country's exit from the Euro zone. While banks in the country have been closed and there is apprehension of a shortage of some goods, the Indian travel industry seems optimistic. 
 

	"The crisis has no impact on our business and therefore we continue to position Europe as an affordable destination to our customers," said Vishal Suri, chief executive officer — tour operating at Kuoni India. 
 

	Greece remains a niche destination for Indians, even as well-heeled Europeans may have had to change their plans and the US, the UK, Canada and Australia issued travel advisories. 
 

	"Greece is a destination for the experienced Indian traveller and so we find it unlikely that there will be a long-term impact on outbound tourism," said Sharat Dhall, president of travel portal Yatra.com.

	 
	(Image: Reuters)

For Indian tourists, Greece is still paradise. Grexit can go to hell!

If you have seen <keyword id="2201" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="Kangana-Ranaut">Kangana Ranaut</keyword>’s latest <keyword id="143" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Bollywood">Bollywood</keyword> flick, <keyword id="6377522" type="POSITION" weightage="60" keywordseo="queen">Queen</keyword>, you are bound to agree that her trip abroad all by herself is the most intriguing part of the storyline and her <keyword id="6374782" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="journey">journey</keyword> of discovery keeps you hooked. But that’s hardly a rare phenomenon nowadays. Single or married, young or aged, on a <keyword id="1050408" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="business-trip">business trip</keyword> or on a <keyword id="2144547" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Dream-vacation">dream vacation</keyword>, more <keyword id="624" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="Women">women</keyword> are travelling alone instead of taking their families in tow. Even those opting for <keyword id="2144575" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Guided-vacations">guided vacations</keyword> are mostly choosing like-minded women-only groups. 
 A recent survey jointly conducted by ixigo.com, India’s leading travel planning and search engine firm, and <keyword id="136437" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="Lemon-Tree-Hotels">Lemon Tree Hotels</keyword>, the country’s third largest hotel company by owned rooms, says that there has been a marked change in travel trends across the country. <keyword id="2144559" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Female-travellers">Female travellers</keyword> are now an increasingly important segment of the Indian travel market, for both leisure and business travel, and the country’s travel industry is just waking up to that fact. 
 
“With women climbing the corporate ladder and becoming more independent, travel is becoming an intrinsic part of their lives. Also, only-women travel groups offering interesting holiday destinations and packages are luring women to take up travel. Our survey indicates 26% women travel with their girl gangs to explore new places,” said Saurabh Srivastava, VP (marketing &amp; product strategy) at ixigo.com. 
 More than 550 women aged between 25 and 45 and hailing from different metros across the country, took part in <keyword id="2144531" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="The-ixigo-Lemon-Tree-Hotels">the ixigo-Lemon Tree Hotels</keyword> online survey. 
 
At present, women-only travellers don’t form too large a segment of India’s travel market but the concept of vacationing away from one’s family (to say nothing of business travel) is catching up fast. As per Trafalgar India, one of the leading guided holiday operators, there has been 22% rise in bookings by women’s groups and single travellers in India between October 2013 and February 2014, compared to last year. 
 While women now account for more than 23% of business travellers (both domestic and outbound), the number will grow significantly in the near future, with the rise in the number of women in mid-senior executive ranks where business travel is a necessity. Over the next 20 years, <keyword id="2144563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="International-business-travel">international business travel</keyword> by Indian women could grow almost tenfold to more than 10 million annual business departures, according to industry estimates. 
 <keyword id="2144565" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Group-travel-by-women">Group travel by women</keyword> is also gaining in popularity, thanks to a growing number of social clubs offering secure and affordable women-only tours. The bottom line is quite simple here. In a fast-moving life ruled by many priorities, one is not always able to travel with <keyword id="343" type="ENTERTAINMENT" weightage="80" keywordseo="Friends">friends</keyword>, family or relatives. But that should not hinder a woman from travelling at her convenience, to the destination of her choice. 
 
A separate survey by Trafalgar India indicates that 10% women prefer guided vacations for a guided experience, 30% for safety, 11% to meet new people, 26% for convenience and comfort while 23% women find it cost-effective. 
 
 
 
What women want The <keyword id="2144532" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="ixigo-Lemon-Tree-Hotels-survey">ixigo-Lemon Tree Hotels survey</keyword> has delved deep into women’s way of travelling and the comfort factors they look for. Here are the key findings when it comes to women wanting to travel safe and solo. 
 
Female travellers are tech-savvy: Indian women travel as frequently as once in two months (50%), with 43% booking their <keyword id="6368036" type="PERSON" weightage="100" keywordseo="Hotels">hotels</keyword> online and 65-76% saying they only read user reviews and endorsements to make their final choice, the survey says. <keyword id="383661" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Mobile-Apps">Mobile apps</keyword> are clearly the way to go as 56% women use <keyword id="616640" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Smartphone-apps">smartphone apps</keyword> to find information about their destinations and plan their trips. 
 
Safety &amp; comfort top priority list: For 41% women, facilities and services are the top considerations while choosing a hotel while location, cost and security have come out as other important criteria. Although security as an independent variable does not top the priority list of solo women travellers/women-only travel groups, there are clearly other surrogate considerations that indicate that safety remains a big concern. For instance, 34% women prefer to have <keyword id="2144581" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Female-hostesses-for-room-service">female hostesses for room service</keyword> while others look for a wide range of <keyword id="2144582" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Women-friendly-amenities">women-friendly amenities</keyword> including <keyword id="2144583" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Call-screening-facility">call-screening facility</keyword> (20%), <keyword id="2144584" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Women-driven-cabs">women-driven cabs</keyword> (19%) and separate floors/wings for women (18%). Interestingly, more than 63% of the respondents say they need a companion to be able to feel comfortable enough to drink at a hotel bar. 
 
Feel-good add-ons matter: Well, that’s a given and who doesn’t love the nice, little extras? When asked about exclusive redemption options offered on loyalty programmes, <keyword id="2144587" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Shopping-vouchers">shopping vouchers</keyword> have come up as the most favourite (27%), closely followed by <keyword id="2144589" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Room-nights">room nights</keyword> (24%) and <keyword id="891808" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Spa-therapy">spa therapy</keyword> (22%) – clearly indicating that special benefits and exclusive offers go hand in hand with women. On the amenities front, 24x7 room service is the most important one (voted by 24% women) while <keyword id="6403839" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Free-Wi-Fi">free Wi-Fi</keyword> (18%), <keyword id="6354337" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="gym">gym</keyword>, <keyword id="50883" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Swimming-Pool">swimming pool</keyword>, <keyword id="5680" type="COMPANY" weightage="100" keywordseo="spa">spa</keyword> and <keyword id="34615" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="100" keywordseo="restaurants">restaurants</keyword> are some others factors that would make the stay memorable. 
 
End-note: Older women are travelling more 
This finding is not a part of the above survey but going by the fact that it has considered women aged between 25 and 45, instead of the 18-30 or 25-40 age bracket is a clear indicator that older women are calling the shots in travel space, making decision for themselves as well as for friends and families, and spending their own money for solo trips – be it a prestigious presentation, a professional seminar, visiting a beautiful place or simply chilling out to get the better of stress. According to Marybeth Bond of The Gutsy Traveller – The average adventure traveller is not a 28-year-old male, but a 47-year-old female. And she wears a size 12 dress. 
 Moreover, the findings from the above surveys amply tell us what <keyword id="625381" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="women-travellers">women travellers</keyword> expect and how fast the women-only travel market is growing in India. These surely promise more travel spend (both for business and leisure travel), better business across the country and an <keyword id="2144592" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Improved-travel-experience">improved travel experience</keyword> for women who love to do it solo and keep off the beaten path. 
 
Image credit: Thinkstock Photos/Getty Images

Footloose: Women Travelling Solo Are Set To Change The Face Of India’s Travel Industry

<ul class="summary-list"><li>This post originally appeared in the Insider Today newsletter.</li></ul>Happy Friday! Oompa Loompa, doompety-doo. I've got a <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/willy-wonka-experience-house-glasgow-who-is-the-unknown-2024-2">new Willy Wonka character for you</a>.This just in: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/elon-musk-sues-sam-altman-betrays-openai-mission-chatgpt-2024-3">Elon Musk has sued ChatGPT-maker OpenAI </a>and its chief executive Sam Altman, saying they abandoned the company's original non-profit mission.What's on deck:<ul><li>Markets: Bitcoin continues its hot streak with <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/merill-wells-fargo-bitcoin-etf-mainstream-products-wealth-management-2024-2">buy-in from some big banks</a>.</li><li>Tech: An adtech giant is about to face <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-trade-desk-adtech-ad-cookies-uid-2024-2">its biggest test yet</a>.</li><li>Business: A change to the NFL's ownership rules could mean <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-ownership-rules-change-big-win-wall-street-private-equity-2024-2">Wall Street takes the field</a>.</li></ul>But first, there's a new trend in AI.If this was forwarded to you, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/subscription/newsletter/insider-today">sign up here.</a><h3>The big story</h3><h2>AI (literally) in your pocket</h2><div type="image" title="humane's Ai pin attached to a white sweatshirt" height="2160" width="3840" msid="108145959" hostid="261" sizebytes="190530"></div>What if you could wear artificial intelligence around your neck, hold it in your pocket, or pin it to your chest?AI-powered gadgets might seem like the opposite of progress — isn't the future supposed to be <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/apple-vision-pro-experiment-brain-virtual-reality-side-effect-2024-2">virtual</a>? — but some don't see it that way.In fact, heavy hitters like legendary investor Vinod Khosla believe that AI devices will completely change how we interact with technology.It's a prediction that has <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-devices-technology-user-experience-rabbit-humane-2024-2">captivated and divided the tech scene in recent months</a>, Business Insider's Samantha Stokes and Vishal Persaud write.Rabbit's portable AI assistant is an example of the trend. The pocket-sized device can <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-device-tech-replace-rabbit-r1-sold-out-2024-1">perform tasks on users' apps via voice controls</a>. In January, its first batch of units — 10,000 devices priced at $199 a pop — sold out in just 24 hours.According to AI-gadget evangelists like Khosla, these devices will flip the script on human-computer interactions. Instead of figuring out how to work the newest app or tool, the AI will learn how to navigate around you.<div type="image" title="Rabbit R1" height="2880" width="2880" msid="108145961" hostid="261" sizebytes="70898"></div>Still, there are reasons to be skeptical about AI devices.Humane's Ai Pin, which can project text onto users' hands and translate voice messages, didn't get a warm welcome <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ai-pin-humane-draws-skepticism-tech-iphone-replacement-2023-11">when it launched late last year</a>.The hardware business is difficult, especially since the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/tech/saas">SaaS-ification</a> of the world means investors often prefer companies with recurring revenue streams, rather than ones that rely on one-off sales.But the biggest criticism is much more straightforward:Why do I need an AI gadget when I already have a very powerful device in my pocket at all times?That was the perspective of one developer I texted, who said there wasn't much interest in the trend in their network. They also pointed to rumors that hardware giant Apple is set to make big announcements about AI, which CEO Tim Cook <a target="_blank" href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/02/28/apple-annual-shareholder-meeting-2024-ai-investments.html">hinted at during the company's annual shareholder meeting</a>.In the meantime, though, some of tech's biggest names clearly believe AI gadgets are the future. Salesforce's Marc Benioff and OpenAI's Sam Altman are both backers of Humane, while Khosla Ventures invested in Rabbit.<h2>3 things in markets</h2><div type="image" title="Paul Krugman" height="650" width="1300" msid="108145963" hostid="261" sizebytes="52608"></div><ol><li>Don't trust the "vibecession." The bad vibes spreading through the economy are unwarranted, according to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-economy-outlook-recession-inflation-grocery-prices-vibecession-paul-krugman-2024-2">Nobel laureate Paul Krugman</a>. Americans shouldn't be bitter about Bidenomics just because grocery prices have risen, he said.</li><li>Baby boomers are driving the US economy. A hedge fund manager said we're in <a target="_blank" href="https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/baby-boomer-stocks-economy-investing-strategy-biotech-healthcare-tourism-cruises-2024-2">a "boomer renaissance"</a> — and told investors to focus on tourism, healthcare, and biotech in order to capitalize.</li><li>Bitcoin ETFs could go even more mainstream. Wells Fargo and Bank of America's Merrill have started offering <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/merill-wells-fargo-bitcoin-etf-mainstream-products-wealth-management-2024-2">ETFs that invest directly in the cryptocurrency</a> to some of their clients, according to a report. Bitcoin has started 2024 on a tear and is now trading at $62,000 — just $7,000 shy of the record price it hit in November 2021.</li></ol><h2>3 things in tech</h2><div type="image" title="The trade desk logo as a moon and a cookie creating a lunar eclipse" height="1500" width="2000" msid="108145966" hostid="261" sizebytes="334744"></div><ol><li>The Trade Desk is about to face its biggest test yet. The $40 billion adtech firm's future hinges on whether it can spread its <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/the-trade-desk-adtech-ad-cookies-uid-2024-2">cookie replacement technology</a> across the digital ecosystem, ad experts and former employees told BI.</li><li>Shopify's ecosystem is becoming oversaturated with apps. The e-commerce giant's App Store has experienced rapid growth — and developers say <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/shopify-app-store-more-competitive-rising-costs-pressures-developers-2024-2">it's getting tougher to stand out</a>.</li><li>GTA RTO: Rockstar Games has reportedly given its staff a return-to-office ultimatum as <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rockstar-games-employees-to-return-to-office-on-security-grounds-2024-2">"Grand Theft Auto VI" enters the final stages of development</a>. Security is one factor driving the publisher's decision after <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/gta-6-leaks-may-have-come-from-rockstar-employees-kid-2023-12">the game's first official trailer was leaked</a> in December.</li></ol><h2>3 things in business</h2><div type="image" title="A bald eagle holding a football" height="900" width="1800" msid="108145968" hostid="261" sizebytes="112172"></div><ol><li>The NFL could change its team ownership rules. The league is inching closer to opening its doors to a slew of institutional investors, including private-equity firms and venture-capital funds. That'd be <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-ownership-rules-change-big-win-wall-street-private-equity-2024-2">a massive win for Wall Street</a>.</li><li>The New York Times has big plans for its Cooking app. NYT Cooking has helped the outlet become a digital success story at a time when other media companies are struggling. Editors plan to churn out more recipes and videos than ever before as part of <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-ny-times-big-plans-for-nyt-cooking-app-2024-2">the app's largest expansion yet</a>.</li><li>Oprah is leaving WeightWatchers. The media maven <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/oprah-winfrey-left-ww-sent-stock-spiraling-spells-doom-diets-2024-2">won't seek reelection to WW International's board</a>, according to a SEC filing. Shares in the diet company, which is already struggling to stay relevant due to the rise of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, tumbled 18% after Oprah's departure was announced.</li></ol><h2>In other news</h2><ul><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/new-york-community-bank-nycb-shares-turmoil-ceo-internal-controls-crisis-2024-3">Real-estate lender NYCB is in turmoil, shredding nerves on Wall Street</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/putin-menaced-west-nuclear-war-troops-ukraine-russia-nato-strike-2024-2">Putin just made one of his most explicit threats of nuclear war yet</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/google-gemini-ai-chatbot-woke-bias-controversy-raises-question-2024-2">Google's Gemini flop raises the question: What exactly do we want our chatbots to do, really?</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/dad-scam-fake-kidnap-ransom-2024-2">My dad almost paid a ransom after being told I was kidnapped — but it was all a scam</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/onlyfans-ceo-tired-of-you-calling-it-porn-2024-2">OnlyFans' CEO is tired of you calling it 'porn.'</a></li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/ex-googler-fire-early-retirement-coworking-personal-finance-2024-2">An ex-Googler retired at age 40 on a Friday. By Monday, she regretted it</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bet-founder-america-first-black-billionaire-robert-l-johnson-questions-2024-2">America's first Black billionaire got rich from founding BET. He shares the moment he knew he'd made it</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/perplexity-raising-new-funding-generative-ai-2024">AI startup Perplexity is in talks to raise more money at a significantly higher valuation just months after its last round</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" rel="noopener" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/bill-gates-mark-zuckerberg-among-expected-attendees-at-indian-wedding-2024-2">Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are among the CEOs and celebs set to attend a 3-day pre-wedding party being thrown by an Indian tycoon worth $113 billion</a>.</li><li><a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-investory-reddit-stock-worth-value">No, Sam Altman doesn't actually own half a billion dollars of Reddit stock</a>.</li></ul><h2>What's happening today</h2><ul><li>It's the first day of spring, according to the meteorological season.</li><li>Alexei Navalny's funeral will be held today.</li></ul>The Insider Today team: <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/dan-defrancesco">Dan DeFrancesco</a>, deputy editor and anchor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/hallam-bullock">Hallam Bullock</a>, editor, in London. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/jordan-parker-erb">Jordan Parker Erb</a>, editor, in New York. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/author/george-glover">George Glover</a>, reporter, in London.

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