Indian online travel market provides opportunities for intrepid travel companies

INDIA - 2006 saw a huge amount of activity in the online travel space in India - and this year the market is showing no sign of cooling off.

The economic growth, a burgeoning middle class, rapidly expanding access to the internet and favorable e-commerce conditions are all contributing factors in making India the exciting and dynamic online travel market on the planet.

The competitive nature of the market is fuelling growth and innovation. Low-cost air travel continues to expand at an incredible rate and has now surpassed domestic rail travel as the key driver of travel e-commerce in India. The

Indian airline industry has witnessed a growth of nearly 20% in the last five years, primarily led by low-cost carriers like Air Deccan, SpiceJet and IndiGo. These airlines are steadily taking away market share from full service carriers like Jet Airways and Indian Airlines and experts believe this trend will continue.