"Tourists don’t know where they’ve been, travelers don’t know where they’re going."
- Paul Theroux

AIRDA NewsDesk

LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN

June, 2012

One of the things about keeping your ear to the ground is the need to track emerging markets, new trends and changing customer profiles. It is also useful to know which way the industry is heading in its evolution curve.

The timeshare industry in India is currently in a vibrant mode with around 350,000 timeshare owning families and a total industry turnover of rupees 700 crores. The original fixed-week product has evolved over time, adapting to market demand and consumer needs. Today’s product mix has floating weeks and a points-based system that customers find attractive.

To track the dynamics of change in the industry, we see the need to carry out meaningful surveys from time to time. AIRDA has thus taken a lead role in this “knowledge quest” and our newest study is in the areas of Coorg, Uttarakhand, and Goa.

One of the key findings here was the extent of economic activity generated and the consequent creation of jobs, which was found to be extremely significant. In the ultimate analysis what we have on the table is a very encouraging picture based on information gathered and analysis done on these focus markets.

Domestic travellers recorded an all-time high of 650 million during 2009, 15.5% higher than the previous year. After rising 18% and 14% respectively in 2006 and 2007, rise in domestic travel slowed down to 6.9% during 2008. As can be seen from the chart, the growth rate of around 15% indicates the rapid progress the industry is making.

Commissioning reports on the vacation ownership industry in India is one of the key responsibilities we assume at AIRDA. As an industry beacon, we need to know about and understand the changing dynamics in our focus areas. The more we know, the better prepared we can be at enabling growth, forecasting newer opportunities and sometimes, even playing the role of a project catalyst.

At this moment, core contents of this study have a restriction on public access. I will try and share some of our learnings with you in my monthly message. And if this can encourage new ventures in timeshare, or attract new customers to the fold, I would consider the sharing meaningful and productive.

At another level, I am truly happy that the industry is moving forward and in a clear growth phase. The best ways to attract more loyal customers is to offer a good product at a good price and back that with good customer experience. Simple logic, but a challenge to ensure on a sustained basis, with market uncertainties and fast-changing economic conditions.

Coming back to this study, I thank all AIRDA members for their active support and would like to recognize the efforts of Ashok R Senkethi and his team from Knowledge Base for giving us a report that is informative, illustrative and illuminating.


B. S. Rathor
Chairman, AIRDA

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