| Breaking news, 12 Dec 2008 |
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BANGKOK – With over half of Indian travellers using the Internet to search for information about destinations aboard, travel operators and tourist bodies need an effective online presence if they are to capture India's early adopters and increasingly affluent travellers, according to the latest India Outbound Travel Monitor conducted by The Nielsen Company in partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA).
The survey shows that, while traditional media such as newspapers and magazines remain the primary source for travel advertising and information for many, the Internet has become a popular advertising channel - drawing greater attention among Indian outbound travellers. The online platform is also gaining in popularity among travellers from India's smaller cities.
Conducted using face-to-face interviews with a fully structured questionnaire during July to August 2008, the Nielsen India Outbound Travel Monitor is a nationwide study surveying 2,000 male and female consumers aged 18+ who have travelled outside India in the last 12 months and stayed at least two nights away from home.
While the majority continues to turn to conventional channels - travel agents and tour operators - for their travel arrangements, Indian outbound travellers (12 percent) are increasingly booking their travel online.
According to Nielsen, Nepal, Singapore and Thailand are the most popular destinations for online bookings among Indian travellers. |
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