'Boom time for tourism in 2004'

After suffering a setback on account of the second Gulf war and the SARS outbreak in 2003, international travel companies hope to do good business in calendar year 2004.

"We expect a leap in volumes in India as compared to the previous years as things seem to be looking up in 2004. We expect over 100 per cent confirmations in our outbound tour packages," Arup Sen, director, Cox and Kings (India) Pvt Ltd.

Cox and Kings posted a growth of 70 per cent in 2002, 50 per cent in 2003 and expects to record a growth of over 100 per cent in 2004.

"The outbound travel industry is booming and the number of Indian tourists visiting abroad this year will outshine the figures for the previous two years. The demand from the last year's pent-up travel will be a driving factor for bookings this year.

"Moreover, the innovative initiatives undertaken this year will push up number of people opting for international travel," said Mahesh Shirodkar, chief operating officer SOTC.

In 2002, SOTC had about 55,000 tourists going abroad. This figure slipped to 40,000 in 2003. In the calendar year 2004, SOTC is looking at around 65 per cent increase in the number of customers over the last year.

SOTC World Famous Tours (WFT) recently launched 'Exotic Holidays'. The brand identified destinations such as Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, China, Sri Lanka, Male and Casablanca.

"We are primarily targeting customers who have travelled extensively. These tourists have visited the more popular destinations and are now keen on experiencing new locales.

"The special features of this product comprises the destinations themselves, attractive pricing, tour cost in Indian rupees and Indian meals," said Shirodkar.

The principal services offered by Cox and Kings include destination management, business travel and leisure travel. The company has also started a full-fledged money changing division that will cater to its corporate clients round the clock.

This in-house money changing division has helped the company in its strategy to provide 'One-Stop-Shopping for all travel related service.