EUROPE: THE NEW ORDER – “Market Expectations and Opportunities”
New Delhi, 23rd September, 2020 - PATA India Chapter held its third successful webinar on 17th September 2020. The virtual webinar was inundated over 475 registrations and was also simultaneously posted on PATA India’s FACEBOOK page. Invitations were sent out to all leading travel, tourism and hospitality associations enabling their members to join the webinar. Travel trade media was also invited to participate in the event.
The Webinar was titled EUROPE: THE NEW ORDER – “Market Expectations and Opportunities”
Speaking on the topic were two reputed destination marketing agencies from Europe and were represented as follows:
Ms. Gabi Romberg, Owner & General Manager, Travel Marketing Romberg (TMR) which is headquartered in Dusseldorf and represents several tourism boards for German speaking Austria, Germany and Switzerland.
Ms. Susan Van Egmond, CEO & Director Travel Marketing Concepts (TMC), Benelux, headquartered in Amsterdam. Mr Teun Kees Director Benelux – TMC supported the session with market updates for Benelux
Ms. Margreet Van Egmond, Director Spain for TMC based in Barcelona shared the updates from the Spanish market
The salient points that emerged from the presentations are as follows:
1. One focal point of contact for tourism information to facilitate tourists an FTOS
· Update protocols & build TRUST with partners
· Give guarantees to trade & consumers
· Be informed on the changing regulations
· Be prepared to be flexible
2. Payments/money flows in the travel industry need to normalize.
· Restoring trust in the business chain is key for recovery
· Risks have to be taken together and third parties cannot be put on hold anymore. To take for
· Pricing flexibility will come at a cost, sure, but it is the direction to take to rebuild the business for 2021 and beyond
3. Clear communication: Specify what you do to protect the consumer
4. What do other countries do?
Some countries are opening up borders under special conditions, including, but not limited to, health test/certificates. Covid insurance and limitation on number of tourist
5. What is India’s perception abroad and the top criteria for travel to destinations like India after the pandemic?
