Will introduce Spunky package for adventure-packed weekends

TravelPort, a leading travel and tourism services marketing firm, plans to cash in on forthcoming sports events like the F1 in September and the 20-20 World Cup in November by developing special packages to Turkey and South Africa. It is also planning to cash in on the burgeoning market of young working people with Spunky, a weekend getaway deal packed with adventure activities, said Heena JA, COO, TravelPort. The firm also recently tied up with Rudraksha Centre in order to promote its spiritual and religious packages.

TravelPort, which tied up with the Future Group some months ago to vend its products at lifestyle malls, plans to open six outlets by the first week of July in Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad and Gurgaon. "By the end of 2008, we will have 50 such retail shops across India that will provide customers with air and railway tickets, exclusive package deals, foreign exchange and passport update help," Heena said.

Also, TravelPort will expand its franchise agencies from the existing 65 in India to around 75-80 in the coming months. It has also become online ticketing enabled from June. The firm also sells combined packages between Singapore-Malaysia-Thailand; UK-Scotland-Ireland and Switzerland-Italy-Amsterdam.

According to Heena, TravelPort is experiencing more than 100 percent growth annually in terms of revenue, network and passengers. It carried 12,000 domestic travellers and 12,000 international ones in 2006, in addition to the airline tickets that were sold through it. This year, it is expecting the numbers to increase. "Last October, we acquired Balaji Travels, which increased our customer database tremendously," adds Heena. TravelPort already has offices in Mauritius, Dubai, Dhaka, UK, Sri Lanka, Bahrain and Muscat and is witnessing a growth in Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) travellers.

By Shailaja Sharma | Mumbai

Source : TravelBizmonitor.com