KommuniQations Vol 1 - February 2024

FROM THE MD’S DESK

On our 22nd anniversary we bring to you our rebranded newsletter KommuniQations from our creative PR team, now operating under the KommuniQ branding. Till early 2020, Outbound Marketing sent out this newsletter as The Outbounder.

2023 saw us focused on driving sales, revitalizing the team, returning to full-time office work, and embracing a mindset of “unlearning to learn”. Through the year, we had the privilege of managing remarkable weddings, MICE groups, FIT leisure, and group business for our hotels. KommuniQ (our PR, social media, digital marketing, and brand alliances arm) delivered outstanding results for our clients. Keeping in view the market trends, we strategically added a vertical that would bring to our travel agency and direct clients some interesting and boutique products in the sub continent. Delighted to announce our partnerships with Santani Retreats Sri Lanka & Bhutan Soul. Watch this space for more…

Sustainability is no longer just a term associated with single-use plastic; it has become an urgent reality, especially for the tourism industry. Our fabulous hotel clients have undertaken various initiatives. To enumerate a few examples of initiatives taken; Jumeirah is actively investing in alternative energy, waste reduction, and supporting the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Centre for endangered species. Melia Hotels, a leader in sustainable hospitality, addresses carbon footprints through their ‘Road to Net Zero Events’ initiative. We at Outbound Marketing also continue in our responsible tourism endeavours. Since 2020, we have planted 1000 trees annually in the Parvada Village forest, Uttarakhand, in collaboration with the Forest Panchayat group. This group, consisting of formidable village women, have created a 780 acres of forest land in a mere 15 years. In India, state governments must transition from mere words to actual implementation in areas such as controlled tourism, forest protection, and promotion of sustainable practices.

Vasudha Sondhi,

Founder & Managing Director,

KommuniQ, a division of Outbound Marketing Pvt. Ltd.

MICE

Post-COVID, the MICE Travel sector has boomed, impacting our clients’ businesses positively. 2024 will see a 25-30% growth to USD 1 billion plus MICE revenue from India to International hotels and destinations. And this could be conservative estimates.

Corinthia Prague | Corinthia Lisbon | Corinthia Budapest | Melia Hotels International

Luxury/Leisure/Experiential Travel

The shift in luxury travel has been significant, especially among our clients. Before the pandemic, luxury travel within India was relatively limited, but now there’s a noticeable trend of quality over quantity. Despite challenges like high flight costs and visa complexities the upper middle and upper-class are not only travelling to exotic destinations but also looking for exclusive experiences. Luxury hotels& culinary experiences continue to be an important part of the travel planning.

Wellness

The anticipation and growth of Wellness Travel is a noticeable trend post the pandemic. Once considered a niche segment, wellness has now taken center stage, with travelers prioritizing self-care and mindfulness as integral parts of their lifestyle. The surge in demand for specialized retreats like sleep-centric holidays, anti-anxiety getaways, and detox retreats is remarkable. Our clients, Santani Wellness and Naad Wellness have seen an upsurge regardless of the price point. Sri Lanka, where Santani is located, is becoming a favored destination for wellness seekers. The alignment of our offerings with this trend has seen a very positive return.

Santani Wellness | Naad Wellness | Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts

Destination Weddings

International destination weddings will never go out of style with our luxuryfocused clientele. Hotels and destinations are actively competing to host these events, forging partnerships with luxury brands to offer comprehensive destination wedding services. There’s been a notable uptick in international destination weddings, showcasing a strong preference for picturesque and new settings that ensure a flawless experience for these milestone celebrations. Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain successfully hosted three weddings within the first six months of operations, indicating a growing demand for these offerings. We anticipate a continuous rise in the number of destination weddings from India seeking similar experiences and services in the coming months.