Shimla/Mumbai
Dr Rajiv Kumar MD HPTDC participated in OTM ( outbound Tourism Mart) Mumbai. OTM is a platform where Travel organisations from different countries as well as state come together under one umbrella.
The OTM Mumbai was attended under the leadership of Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director, HPTDC,along with Dr. Anil Kumar, DGM, HPTDC, Mr. Ravinder Sandhu, AGM (Holiday Home, ), and Mr Varun Dhiman, AGM , Mr Vikram Chauhan ,TIO, Department of Tourism, H. p.Mr. Mahender Chauhan, Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh.
The session commenced with an opening address by Dr. Anil Kumar, DGM, who highlighted the significance of Maharashtra as a key source market for Himachal Pradesh tourism. The interactive session witnessed active participation from leading travel partners, primarily from Mumbai and Pune.
The key points discussed in the outbound tourism mart for promotion of Himachal Tourism is
1. Promotion of HPTDC Hotels & Facilities
• A detailed discussion was held on the marketing and promotional strategies for HPTDC properties.
• Travel agents were keen on understanding the unique selling points of HPTDC hotels and their competitive advantages.
2. Travel Commission Structure
• Several travel partners suggested introducing a commission-based incentive structure to encourage more bookings.
• It was recommended that the commission be set as a fixed percentage to ensure transparency and attract more agents.
3. Tour Packages for Ease of Selling
• Agents suggested the introduction of well-curated tour packages to make HPTDC properties more marketable.
• Customized itineraries would assist in easy promotion and booking of accommodations.
4. Adventure Tourism Promotion
• Many travel partners emphasized the growing demand for adventure tourism and recommended the inclusion of adventure-based itineraries.
• Activities such as trekking, river rafting, paragliding, and skiing could be integrated into promotional campaigns.
5. The WhatsApp group created during the interactive session and contact numbers of all participants are added to speed up the exchange of information and decision taken. The suggestion from the trade partners were also taken on the WhatsApp group,so that HPTDC can make a note of this and revert accordingly.
5. New Proposed Tour Packages
• There was a strong demand for curated tour circuits covering key destinations:
Package 1: Delhi/Chandigarh – Shimla – Kullu – Manali – Chandigarh
Package 2: Delhi/Chandigarh – Dharamshala – Dalhousie – Chandigarh
• These packages would cater to diverse traveler segments and make it easier for travel partners to sell Himachal Pradesh as a complete destination.
Dr. Rajiv Kumar, MD, patiently addressed all queries raised by the travel trade partners and assured them that their suggestions would be evaluated for implementation. He emphasized HPTDC’s commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction and strengthening collaborations with the travel trade community.
The participation of HPTDC in OTM Mumbai proved highly productive, facilitating meaningful interactions with the travel trade. The insights gathered will play a crucial role in shaping future marketing strategies, improving agent engagement, and promoting HPTDC properties more effectively.
