India Has Lessons for the Travel Industry

In two weeks time I’ll be in Delhi, India doing a walkthrough of the The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences in preparation for our second event in the city. Like last year, we have a stellar line up of top execs from within the region and outside of it.

Here are the basics:

• Top industry leaders taking the stage from companies including Air India, 万豪酒店 , Indigo, OYO , MakeMyTrip , Uber , and many more.
• Skift India Forum is a powerful networking platform where executives, entrepreneurs, and industry stakeholders connect, collaborate, and spark new ideas.
• With in-depth discussions, exclusive insights from decision-makers, and a high-energy atmosphere, this is the event to understand where India’s travel industry is headed next.

Like all the other attendees and speakers, the Skift team is eager to explore how what’s happening in the travel industry in India – outbound and inbound, international and domestic – is shaping broader themes in the region and beyond.

You can get your tickets here.

In a story published yesterday, Asia Editor Peden Doma Bhutia examines how Bollywood is helping spark a tourism boom. Bollywood has become an economic force in travel, turning film locations into popular tourist destinations:

• The global film tourism market is expected to reach $136 billion by 2033, and 52% of Indian travelers said they are largely influenced by television and films, often choosing to visit places they have seen on screen.
• Several travel brands, including tourism boards and hotels, are partnering with Bollywood stars, with one Hilton executive stating that Bollywood’s ability to resonate across India’s diverse demographics is making those collaborations rewarding.
• The future of Bollywood tourism marketing lies in multi-platform storytelling, where influencers, digital content, and celebrities create an ecosystem that inspires and converts travelers.

You can read the full story on Skift.

In this week’s Airline Weekly Lounge podcast, Gordon Smith and Jay Shabat turned their focus to Indian aviation, especially Air India Limited and IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation Ltd) . They explore big picture themes such as Singapore Airlines' strategic investment in Air India and the implications of fleet expansions at IndiGo. Attendees of Skift India Forum will be able to hear directly from Campbell Wilson and Pieter Elbers , the CEOs of both of those companies.

I hope to see you in Delhi in two weeks’ time.

– Jason Clampet