Dictating Terms

It is quite amazing when one sits back and observes the various trends and travel patterns that are emerging within the country today. Whether it is leisure travel or business travel, we are seeing sure signs of a maturing market. Not only is there more choice today, and I am talking road, rail and air here, but the segmentation and the various options within each segment are even more fascinating. Never before has a business traveller had so many options at his disposal. No longer is short distance business travel the sole domain of the road or rail transport. True, we have far better road connectivity today and the railways are also getting their act together. But they are now having to fight with low cost or budget airlines for the same passengers, something that was unimaginable just a couple of years ago.

If we have to look a little further it is quite apparent that the airlines themselves are restructuring and repositioning their businesses to tap niche markets. This segmentation is being dictated purely by the patterns that are emerging predominantly in business travel today.

Not only are routes and aircraft sizes being dictated by these patterns, but also the interiors, in-flight service and even the seating configurations. For example, most international airlines flying from India have either done away with their first class to accommodate more business class or just do not bring in their first class-equipped aircraft into India.

It clearly reveals how the market dynamics have changed and who is calling the shots here…

Sheldon Santwan
EDITOR, feBusiness Traveller

Sheldon can be reached at editor@businesstravellerindia.com