India to lead luxury travel sector

The International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) Leaders’ Forum, which gathers 24 leaders of the global luxury travel industry, anticipates India to lead the luxury travel sector in 2012.
The Indian and Chinese markets experienced significant growth despite the recent global financial crisis. Paul Kerr, CEO, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, was quoted in Travel Daily India as having said that the Indian luxury market comprised of regular guests rather than aspirational travellers saving for a one-off luxury holiday and, just like any other luxury traveller, the Indian millionaire wants freedom of choice.
The Indian luxury market is expected to grow by 21 per cent in the next five years, compared to the global growth rate of approximately 15 per cent.
Meanwhile, Giovanni Bisignani, director general and chief executive officer of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), has hailed the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) unique contribution to the region’s tourism industry. "For 60 years PATA has played a key role in the remarkable development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region," said Bisignani.
With the Asia Pacific now the world’s largest aviation market, he expressed significant optimism about future growth in the region. “IATA fosters aviation's continued development as an even safer, greener and more profitable industry," he said, adding that aviation’s success helps drive travel and tourism growth that delivers broad economic benefits.
With this agenda, he said IATA looks forward to the next 60 years of working together with PATA.
Bisignani is the second global industry leader to have commended PATA during its 60th anniversary year. David Scowsill, president and chief executive officer, World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), recently described PATA as “among the leading authorities in travel and tourism”, having put the Asia Pacific region on the global tourism map. PATA’s 60th Anniversary and Conference takes place on April 9-12, at the China World Hotel, Beijing.
Taking the theme ‘Building Tourism: Past, Present and Progressive’, the conference is the focal point of PATA’s year-long campaign of anniversary events and activities.Starting life as a small group of enthusiastic travel professionals back in 1951, PATA has grown into a powerful and dynamic membership association, driving responsible tourism growth across the Asia Pacific region.
Over the course of 60 years, it has led the development of the Asia Pacific region from a little-known, untouched part of the globe, into what is today the fastest growing, most exciting tourism destination in the world. By 2020 PATA expects international arrivals to soar to 530-million. The PATA 60th Anniversary and Conference will be a pivotal event for the Asia Pacific travel and tourism sector and a must-attend for anyone interested in the on-going development of this dynamic region.