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Tag: holiday season

  • Travel portals look to woo travellers back this holiday season

    Travel portals look to woo travellers back this holiday season

    Mumbai: In the run-up to the year-ending holiday travel season, travel portals are looking to make the most of the opportunity. With the Covid cases on decline, companies in the sector are optimistic about business picking up pace. Travel advertising too is poised for rapid growth as brands look to reset their relationships with consumers after the great rupture of 2020.

    Travel companies and online booking portals have launched several new campaigns signalling the return of the ‘wander lust’. Online travel brand Goibibo has rolled out its new campaign ‘Apna Rule Toh Full Vasool’, announcing ‘Daily Steal Deals’ for hotels and last-minute flight bookings on its platform. To bring alive the campaign conceptualised by MagicCircle Communications, the company released a series of digital films that are packed with relatable slice-of-life moments that talk about getting one’s ‘full paisa vasool’ under all circumstances, be it a toothpaste, a buffet or else then a travel deal!

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    The pent-up demand for travel is expected to drive rapid growth in travel adspend over the next few years, but it will be a long road back to pre-pandemic spending. According to Zenith’s Travel adspend forecast published last week, the fastest growth in travel advertising is expected to come from India, where travel ad spend will be 31 per cent above the 2019 baseline by 2023. Globally, travel adspend will be still 33 per cent below its 2019 level this year, as per the Zenith report. It will take until 2023 for travel to exceed 2019 levels of spending, when it will reach $19.6 billion.

    Even as wider acceptance of Indian vaccines and easing of international travel restrictions by countries has opened up more choices for Indian tourists, there is still a measure of uncertainty that continues to linger on when it comes to travel in the post-Covid era.

    It is this anxiety associated with an uncertain or a cancelled trip that Make My Trip chose to address via its new TVC starring the delightful duo of Ranveer Singh and Alia Bhatt. The travel portal in its latest campaign ‘JoHogaWOWHoga’ aims to encourage travellers to plan, book and travel once again without any worries arising out of cancellation or hassle of refund claims.

    Shot in a circus arena, the TVC has been smartly weaved around a Circus background that is synonymous to high risks and uncertainties –subtly depicting the times we have been living in over the past few months. With a humorous narration, the TVC communicates how users can book travel without worrying about additional cancellation charges in case of any last-minute changes in travel plans.

    The 360-degree campaign ‘Sirf MakeMyTrip pe #JoHogaWOWHoga’ has been conceptualised by MagicCircle to convey how travel plans on MakeMyTrip can be worry-free yet rewarding. From a ‘100 per cent refund on last minute cancellations’ across its hotels and homestays, to introducing ‘Trip Guarantee’ feature to help travellers upgrade to an alternate travel mode in case of an unconfirmed train ticket, to making modifications to travel bookings in just a few taps on the app through My Trips–the campaign aims to communicate it all.

    MakeMyTrip group chief marketing officer Sunil Suresh said, “As travel has returned in a big way and travellers are back with evolved preferences, the prospects of serving our customers with richer, flexible and comfortable travel choices have never been this exciting,” adding that the portal has “travel solutions for everyone and for any situation.”

    Club Mahindra, the flagship brand of Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India also reached out to travel enthusiasts through its ‘Jaana Kahaan Hai’ campaign starring the ‘Shershah’ actor, Siddharth Malhotra. The campaign captures people’s desire to travel and explore new destinations and indulge in newer adventures in the new normal.

    “There is an extremely strong desire to travel amongst people. They are eager to try new experiences and visit off-beat as well as unexplored destinations,” said Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India chief marketing officer Pratik Mazumder.

    Along with leisure travel, the pandemic also brought virtually all of Business travel and the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conference and Exhibitions) sector to a standstill for most of 2020 and 2021. To build corporate confidence in biz travel, Thomas Cook launched its “Assured” Safe Travel Program that ensures travel safety protocols covering its distribution, delivery and partner touch points in the travel ecosystem.

    Thomas Cook (India) Limited president & country head – Holidays, MICE, Visa Rajeev Kale said, “Despite the challenges of the pandemic, our focussed initiatives that included health and safety, have increased corporate confidence in MICE Travel. With increased demand for physical groups/events our pipeline for 2022 looks robust and our teams are all geared up to delivering truly exceptional programs to delight our MICE clients.”

    It would be premature to assume we are out of the woods as new variants of the virus continue to emerge. Even as the domestic travel industry expects a surge in visitors as the year winds up, the government continues to review easing of foreign travel curbs in the light of the latest threat, necessitating all optimism to be accompanied with a note of caution.

  • Pump it up this holiday season with Athleisure Lifestyle

    Pump it up this holiday season with Athleisure Lifestyle

    MUMBAI: Family bonding is a complex equation given how different people belonging to the same family can turn out to be- their preferences, their tastes and their opinions. But thank God for family holidays that are a great way to create and strengthen the different relationships within families. And what happens when you mingle the tradition of family getaways with the trend of athleisure? A plan that is a perfect fit (get it to get it?) for enhancing that filial bond.

    Keep Fit While On Holidays

    With the adaptation of athleisure into everyday life, not only people’s wardrobe game has changed, but also the overall lifestyle of the average common people is shifting towards something that incorporates and prioritizes fitness activities amidst day to day existence. And that includes vacationing as well. Going on a vacation and ruining the fitness level you worked so hard for all around the year is a thing of yesterday now. Athleisure holiday is what modern families are looking towards to get that much-needed relaxation without having to compromise on fitness.

    Akash Korgaonkar, Founder Director of Ruggedian Lifestyle Pvt Ltd says, “These holidays help in developing a fitness culture within the family. They also bring about a healthy change in the thought process, like taking adequate rest, following healthy dietary habits etc. There comes in a welcome change from the mundane weekend outings like picnics, movies or shopping to destination marathons and sports events that boost fitness.”

    When compared to normal holiday trips, where everyone is doing their own thing separately or are spending time locked up in the hotel room, athleisure holiday offers families a chance to spend time together all the while providing with the thrill of adventure. Activities like trekking, swimming, speed-boating, diving, rock climbing or other adventure sports not only give you the boost of an adrenaline rush but also bring the family together as often these activities emphasize on qualities like trust, co-dependence and helping each other out.

    Let's take a detailed look at how these activities can help in building a strong bond among family:

    Trekking – Trekking refers to a long, vigorous walk usually on mountainous or hilly footpaths. Perfect for a group of family and friends, trekking is a perfect way to explore the forests, the surrounding villages and picnic spots by the river. It’s a great option for both beginners and seasoned trekkers, who can give it who can give it a try in for Trek in the lap of rustic nature! To add to all of it, it also involves helping each other during the trek.

    Swimming – If you’re a water child, swimming is the best option for you and your family. Choose your style and bask in the glory of the sun on sparkling water. The activity comes with many health benefits that will make you much more active and fitter after your holiday and of course enjoying in the water with your family is a different type of fun altogether.

    Speed-boating – Extremely exciting, speed-boating is all about pumping your adrenaline! Have the best day of your life with the river and a speedboat surrounded by greenery for the company and lots of fervour and memories with your family members as a bonus!

    Diving – Another fantastic sport for the water babies, diving tests your air awareness, strength, flexibility and kinaesthetic judgment. Show off your driving skills in the river and win lots of appreciation from your family and friends.

    Rock-climbing – From tricky terrains to lonely trails, rock-climbing gives you the opportunity for sheer exploration. You’ll bond with your family much better as you help out each other in times of distress and do not let go no matter what. Oh yes, do not forget the remains of history along the way!

    Have Your Athleisure Luggage Sorted

    The biggest fuss about any trip perhaps is the packing part. But when you are going for athleisure holidays, a packing list that everyone can agree upon is already sorted. Who wouldn’t want to be this comfortable on a trip with comfy hoodies, stretchy leggings and casual sneakers? And not to mention, complemented by a sporty scene or contrasted by an aesthetic view in the backdrop, these outfits would make some really cool Instagram posts. Pull in your whole family for a click and there you have it, #FamilyFitnessGoals.

    Whether its family time or relaxation or adventure-whatever you are looking for, the athleisure holiday is your Holy Grail.  You know what time is it? Time to plan for your athleisure holiday!