How to Attract More Indian Travellers to Your Tourism Business
Table of Contents
1. Understand the Indian Traveller Profile
2. Highlight Cultural and Religious Connections
3. Create Family-Friendly Experiences
4. Leverage the Power of Bollywood
5. Customise Your Marketing for the Indian Audience
6. Utilise Social Media and Influencers
7. Offer Attractive Packages and Deals
8. Ensure Excellent Customer Service
9. Highlight Visa and Travel Assistance
10. Promote Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Tourism
11. Tap Into Regional Festivals and Events
India as the world’s most populated country has a rapidly growing middle class which in turn creates a rapidly growing outbound travel market.
Tapping into this potential can significantly boost your tourism business as Indian’s are enthusiastic about trying new experiences and seeing sites globally.
Here are some strategies to help you attract more Indian travellers.
1. Understand the Indian Traveller Profile
Indian travellers vary widely in their travel preferences, from budget-conscious families to high-spending honeymooners and solo adventurers.
Depending on what areas they are from in India will also determine what type of experiences they are looking for and their budgets.
Many Indian tourists seek cultural immersion, comfort, value for money, and family-friendly experiences. You will also find when travelling long distances Indian travellers will have a jam-packed itinerary to ensure they can do as much as possible in that trip.
Research shows that they prefer tailored experiences that combine comfort, adventure, and cultural exploration. Therefore, most business coming out of India is done so through organised groups or travel companies.
2. Highlight Cultural and Religious Connections
Many Indian travellers are drawn to destinations that offer cultural or spiritual experiences. If your destination has a cultural or religious connection, promote it!
For instance, destinations with temples, yoga retreats, or cultural festivals can be attractive.
Highlight these offerings in your marketing and include options for vegetarian or Indian cuisine, as this could be a deciding factor for many travellers.
Example – A Jetboat company on the Gold Coast attracts adventure loving Indians by providing a 30-minute jet boat ride, masala tea and transfers to and from their hotel. This ensures a convenient experience with a connection to home plus a new adventure.
3. Create Family-Friendly Experiences
Family travel is common for Indian tourists, so offering packages and promotions geared towards family groups can be an effective strategy.
Indian travellers often travel with extended family and multiple generations.
So please ensure your accommodations have family-friendly amenities like connecting rooms, babysitting services, and child-friendly activities.
Furthermore, including attractions that appeal to multiple generations—such as wildlife safaris, amusement parks, or guided cultural tours—can make your destination more appealing.
4. Leverage the Power of Bollywood
Bollywood has a huge influence on travel preferences.
Often, Indian travellers are drawn to destinations featured in popular Bollywood films.
You can use this trend by associating your tourism business with Bollywood by highlighting if any movies have been shot in your location or working with Bollywood influencers.
Offering “Bollywood Tours” or experiences inspired by popular films can create buzz and appeal.
Bollywood stars have massive social media following and can draw significant attention if you can attract them to your hotel or experience.
5. Customise Your Marketing for the Indian Audience
Ensure your website and social media channels are optimised for Indian travellers.
This includes creating content that speaks to their specific needs and preferences.
Highlight Indian guest testimonials and use platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, which are popular among Indian users.
Consider offering your website in multiple languages, including Hindi or regional languages, to better connect with potential visitors.
Look at ways to get your products listed on India websites or by Indian travel companies online. Consider marketing arrangements with an Indian agent to profile your hotel or experience to start getting some traction.
Wellness and Fitness Add-Ons
With the growing interest in health and wellness, offering wellness-related add-ons can be a profitable venture.
This could include yoga classes, personal training sessions, or access to a local spa. Wellness travellers are often willing to pay a premium for services that help them maintain their routines while on vacation.
Example: A luxury resort offers a “Wellness Package” that includes daily yoga classes, a consultation with a nutritionist, a massage and a selection of healthy meals delivered to the guest’s room.
6. Utilise Social Media and Influencers
Indian travellers are highly active on social media.
Collaborating with Indian travel influencers or bloggers can help you gain visibility and build trust among Indian audiences.
Additionally, run targeted social media campaigns that resonate with Indian holidays or travel trends.
For instance, Diwali and summer vacations are peak times for Indian tourists, so creating campaigns around these periods can drive interest and bookings.
7. Offer Attractive Packages and Deals
Value for money is a significant concern for many Indian travellers.
Offering comprehensive, all-inclusive packages that provide clear value can be a great strategy.
Customising packages for various travel types—such as honeymooners, family vacations, or adventure seekers—can also increase appeal.
Offering easy payment methods like installments and partnering with Indian travel agents or online travel platforms, can make the booking process more seamless.
Example: A Sydney airport transfer business offers luggage storage and prams/strollers for hire for Indian groups to help make their transportation convenient but also cost effective, saving families money and making life easier.
8. Ensure Excellent Customer Service
For Indian travellers, word of mouth is very powerful.
They want to be able to go home and share stories of their amazing experiences.
Offering excellent customer service that exceeds their expectations will help you generate positive reviews and recommendations.
Train your staff to be culturally sensitive and aware of the preferences of Indian guests, including offering Indian food options, respecting dietary restrictions, and ensuring quick and helpful communication.
Sometime Indian tour leaders and guides can be exceptionally demanding of tourism products, this is just how they are; don’t take offence it’s simply them ensuring they are getting the very best for their customers.
9. Highlight Visa and Travel Assistance
Make the travel process easier for your Indian guests by providing them with helpful visa and travel information.
Offering assistance in applying for visas or partnering with companies that provide this service can remove a significant barrier.
Additionally, providing airport transfers, local SIM cards, and currency exchange information can make their travel experience smoother.
10. Promote Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Tourism
The younger generation of Indian travellers are becoming increasingly aware of eco-friendly and sustainable travel practices.
Highlighting your efforts in sustainability, such as eco-friendly accommodations, waste reduction initiatives, and nature conservation efforts, can attract a large segment of Indian travellers who are seeking responsible travel experiences.
11. Tap Into Regional Festivals and Events
India has a diverse range of festivals and holiday periods throughout the year, such as Diwali, Holi, and Durga Puja.
Running special campaigns and promotions during these times can help attract Indian tourists who are keen on travelling during these festive breaks.
Tailor your experiences to include festival-related activities or offer packages that cater to Indian tourists during these peak travel periods.
Conclusion
Attracting Indian travellers requires understanding their unique preferences and adapting your offerings to cater to their needs.
When you understand what Indian travellers need you can ensure it is delivered in the best possible way.
By personalising experiences, enhancing cultural connections, and effectively leveraging digital marketing strategies, your tourism business can successfully capture this growing market.
Start implementing these strategies today and unlock new growth opportunities for your business!
