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NEWS ROUND UP
10 TRAVELBIZ MONITOR FEBRUARY, 2024
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Explore alternative revenue models beyond

hotels & ticketing: TAFI President

Prasenjit Chakraborty | Mumbai synergy here, and we need to work on this.”
According to Prakash, the airlines have
he Western Region Chapter of the become very rigid in their approach now. “The
TTravel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) relationship that existed earlier is a thing of
organised a meeting in Mumbai recently. the past,” he pointed out. Prakash said it is
The purpose of the meeting was to help imperative now to create products beyond just
its members embrace technology and also travel. “We need to create experiences and
to explore alternate revenue models. The amplify lifestyles. We need to go beyond what
meeting also witnessed a presentation from we have been doing all these years,” pointed
Nuvama Wealth. out Prakash.
Ajay Prakash, President of TAFI, said that Speaking to TravelBiz Monitor on the Ajay Prakash
the travel business has changed enormously, sidelines of the event, Jay Kantawala,
and technology is a reality now. “We need to Chairman, Western India Chapter, TAFI, said meeting will focus on technology. Kantawala
embrace technology and, at the same time, that they want to add value to the business of appealed to members to participate in every
look for alternate revenue models beyond their members. “We want to make a difference meeting and raise questions on important
hotels and ticketing,” exhorted Prakash. to our members; at the end of the day, we are issues. “This will help both the association
Describing Nuvama’s presentation as an all in business and have to flourish,” pointed and the industry,” he said. Around 80 members
excellent proposition, he said, “I think there is out Kantawala. He also said that their next participated in the meeting.

Kenya’s Safari Trails launches Super-Luxurious

Uganda package in the Indian market

Prasenjit Chakraborty | Mumbai photographers itself is a segment for us,” he
said.
uoyed by the launch of direct flights by Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and
BUganda Airlines from India, Kenya-based Ahmedabad have traditionally served as the
Safari Trails, a boutique DMC for East Africa company’s primary markets. However, they
has initiated promoting Uganda in the Indian are currently focusing on Tier-II cities also,
market. such as Nagpur, Raipur, Chandigarh, and
“There are hardly 14-15 gorilla families Sambhaji Nagar (formerly Aurangabad). “I see
which are spread over in Rwanda, Uganda. substantial potential in these markets. With
These two countries are the only places in the this in mind, we are organising roadshows
world where one can see gorillas,” said Rajay later this year, specifically targeting Tier-II and
Thethy, CEO, Safari Trails, during his recent III cities,” revealed Thethy.
visit to India. Clarifying the misconception about
His main purpose of the visit was to Kenya’s weather, he explained that the climate
introduce and market Uganda in the Indian there is pleasant, with the highest temperature
market as he said, “Uganda as a destination Rajay Thethy ranging between 25-26 degrees Celsius. “Many
is not known in this market.” Safari Trails has people in India believe that Kenya is a tropical
segmented its business in three categories country with temperatures soaring to 42-43
and each team handles MICE, Africa and Land Cruisers, while in Uganda, they offer degrees Celsius, but that’s not the case. Kenya
Super Luxury. The company, in the Super safaris through treks and by boat on the Nile is a year-round destination, and its people are
Luxury category, handles destinations like river. warm and always smiling,” stated Thethy.
Rwanda, Uganda, etc. For Safari Trails, India has emerged as In terms of the demand from Indian
The company offers various packages, the largest source market. “From our total travellers, he said that unlike the previous
and among them is the Great Apes package, business, the Indian market contributes affinity towards luxurious rooms with
which allows participants to observe both 55%,” revealed Thethy. The company is also chandeliers, they now seek more authentic
gorillas and chimpanzees. “Chimpanzees witnessing a lot of demand for Kenya and African experiences. Thethy said, “They are
are found in Queen Elizabeth National Park Tanzania which also fall in the Super Luxury looking for experiences and culture now.”
(Uganda). Besides chimpanzees, the park category. “Earlier, Indian travellers used to He firmly believes that the combination of
also has flamingos, tree climbing lines, salt spend USD 5,000-10,000 for trips to Kenya and enhanced air connectivity, visa issuance within
pans, hence, making it a diverse product,” Tanzania. Now, the average spending by them 24-48 hours, the availability of Indian food, and
pointed out Thethy. Murchison Falls is another has increased to USD 20,000-30,000,” says the warm hospitality extended by the people
stunning experience which is also included in Thethy. of Kenya will contribute to making 2024 a
this package. A significant portion of their business is favourable year for the company.
In Kenya, the company offers safaris using attributed to wildlife photographers. “Wildlife prasenjit.chakraborty@saffronsynergies.in

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