Hilton has partnered with Indian actor Sidharth Malhotra to extend its global marketing platform, ‘Hilton. For The Stay’ in the Indian market, following their collaboration with actor Deepika Padukone. The campaign will involve new initiatives and investments designed specifically for India. Hilton is also expanding its presence in the country, with plans to triple its portfolio and introduce new brands like Curio Collection by Hilton and Waldorf Astoria. With the help of prominent Indian personalities, Hilton aims to enhance its visibility and appeal to the growing Indian market.
Indian celebrities are known to have a significant influence on their fans’ decisions, which has led to many international travel brands partnering with them as brand ambassadors. For example, actors like Katrina Kaif, Alia Bhatt, and Kareena Kapoor Khan have been associated with various hotel chains to promote loyalty programs and campaigns. Bollywood star Shah Rukh Khan has also been the brand ambassador for Dubai since 2016, showcasing the strong connection between Indian celebrities and global travel destinations. This trend of leveraging Indian celebrities for marketing campaigns is seen as a strategic move to attract Indian travelers.
Global travel and hospitality leaders recognize India as an emerging market with great potential in the tourism industry. Companies like Hilton, Airbnb, and IHG have acknowledged the increasing demand in India and are optimistic about the country’s role in global tourism. Airbnb has highlighted India as a key market in Asia, with a significant increase in nights booked. India’s airport infrastructure is also seen as crucial, with major airports expected to become key hubs in Asia. Thomas Cook has introduced an AI-powered platform in India to streamline holiday planning, offering customized travel programs in a fraction of the time.
The Indian government is actively promoting cruise tourism in the country through various initiatives, including prioritizing cruise vessels over cargo vessels for berthing and offering discounts and facilities for cruise tourists. An e-landing card valid for all ports in a cruise itinerary has been introduced, along with e-visa and visa-on-arrival facilities for cruise tourists. Additionally, a National Strategy for Cruise Tourism has been drafted to further develop the cruise tourism sector in India. Indian travelers now have access to international e-SIMs through Matrix Cellular, eliminating the need for international roaming packs or physical SIM cards when traveling abroad.
Flybig, an Indian regional airline, has launched flights between Lucknow and Moradabad cities of Uttar Pradesh, expanding their network under the government’s regional connectivity scheme called UDAN. With plans to include Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities in the domestic aviation network, Flybig aims to enhance air connectivity across India. The airline has also partnered with the Airports Authority of India and the administration of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands to operate flights in the region, further contributing to the growth of domestic aviation in India. Overall, these developments highlight the efforts being made to strengthen travel and tourism infrastructure in India and boost the country’s role in the global tourism landscape.
