HPTDC Showcases Himachal Tourism at OTM Mumbai, Eyes Bigger Footprint in Maharashtra.
MUMBAI/SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) made a strong pitch to attract more travelers from Maharashtra at the Outbound Tourism Mart (OTM) Mumbai, one of India’s largest travel trade exhibitions.
Under the leadership of Dr. Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director, HPTDC, the delegation actively engaged with travel industry stakeholders to boost bookings and strengthen partnerships.
Accompanying him were Dr. Anil Kumar, DGM, HPTDC, Mr. Ravinder Sandhu, AGM (Holiday Home), Mr. Varun Dhiman, AGM, Mr. Vikram Chauhan, TIO, Department of Tourism, HP, and Mr. Mahender Chauhan, Himachal Bhawan, Chandigarh.
Maharashtra: A Key Market for Himachal Tourism
The session kicked off with an address by Dr. Anil Kumar, who highlighted Maharashtra’s importance as a prime source market for Himachal Pradesh.
With a strong influx of travelers from Mumbai and Pune, HPTDC aims to make Himachal a preferred destination for tourists seeking hill retreats, adventure tourism, and cultural experiences.
Key Discussions: Boosting Bookings & Tourism Offerings
The interactive session with travel partners revolved around several strategic areas:
✔ Marketing & Promotion of HPTDC Hotels: Travel agents were keen on exploring the unique selling points of HPTDC properties, including location advantages, services, and competitive pricing.
✔ Commission Structure for Agents: A major demand from travel partners was the introduction of a fixed-percentage commission-based incentive to encourage more bookings.
✔ Tour Packages for Better Sales: Agents recommended the launch of well-structured itineraries to make HPTDC properties easier to sell.
✔ Adventure Tourism Demand: With growing interest in trekking, river rafting, paragliding, and skiing, agents urged HPTDC to create adventure-centric packages to tap into this high-potential market.
New Travel Circuits Proposed
To streamline bookings and offer seamless travel experiences, HPTDC discussed two new packages:
✅ Delhi/Chandigarh – Shimla – Kullu – Manali – Chandigarh
✅ Delhi/Chandigarh – Dharamshala – Dalhousie – Chandigarh
These circuits cater to different traveler preferences and are expected to drive higher footfalls to Himachal Pradesh.
Real-Time Feedback & Follow-Ups
To ensure swift communication and collaboration, a WhatsApp group was created during the session, allowing travel partners to share their suggestions, which HPTDC assured would be evaluated for implementation.
Focus on Customer Satisfaction
Dr. Rajiv Kumar, MD, HPTDC, patiently addressed all concerns raised by the travel trade partners and reaffirmed HPTDC’s commitment to enhancing customer satisfaction, better agent engagement, and more strategic promotions.
Strengthening Himachal’s Tourism Presence in Maharashtra
HPTDC’s participation in OTM Mumbai proved to be a highly productive initiative, paving the way for stronger partnerships with travel agents.
The insights gathered will shape future marketing strategies and position Himachal Pradesh as a must-visit destination for travelers from Maharashtra.
