TravTalk Middle East Online Magazine
Venturing into new markets over the past few years, Satguru has made its mark across the globe with its 80 plus offices. At Arabian Travel Market, they will further showcase their unique offerings, expertise and personalised experiences. With their stronghold in Dubai, they will have the opportunity to further demonstrate their prowess to the many expected clients from across the world.
Shehara Rizly
Speaking to about what they will showcase this year at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM), JVR Fernando, Chief Commercial Officer, Satguru shares, “Our key point is to showcase our agency’s expertise and knowledge of the travel industry, and provide travellers with personalized and unique experiences that they cannot find elsewhere. Destinations: Highlight the popular destinations that our agency offers and showcase the unique experiences that travellers can enjoy there. Staycations: Showcase the various staycation options that we offer, such as hotels, resorts, apartments, villas, and more. Activities and Tours: Promote the various activities and tours that our agency offers, such as adventure tours, sightseeing tours, cultural tours, food tours, and more. Highlight the unique experiences that travellers can have through these activities. Travel Packages: Create and promote customized travel packages that cater to different types of travellers, such as families, honeymooners, adventure-seekers, and more. Technology: Demonstrate how our agency uses technology to enhance the travel experience for our clients, such as online booking systems, mobile apps, virtual reality tours, and more. Partnerships: Highlight any partnerships or collaborations that our agency has with other suppliers, airlines, hotels, and more. This can help to establish our agency’s credibility and reputation within the industry.”
Sustainability has created a new niche in the industry. Fernando reiterates, “Yes, sustainability in travel has created a new way of looking at business. In the past, the travel industry was focused primarily on profits and growth, with little consideration for the environmental and social impacts of tourism. Many travel companies are now incorporating sustainable practices into their business models. This includes reducing their carbon footprint, supporting local communities and economies, protecting natural and cultural heritage sites, and promoting responsible tourism practices.” The biggest challenge in sustainability is the price point. If travellers are willing to pay extra for sustainable travel?
“It depends on the specific product or service being offered. In some cases, sustainable travel experiences may be priced higher due to the additional costs involved in implementing sustainable practices or in supporting local communities and conservation efforts. For example, eco-lodges or sustainable hotels may have higher rates than conventional hotels due to the extra cost of implementing eco-friendly practices or sourcing local and organic products. In many cases, sustainable travel experiences do not cost more or may even be cheaper than conventional travel experiences. Additionally, travellers are often willing to pay extra for sustainable travel experiences because they value the positive impact they have on the environment,” explained Fernando.
He said, “Many travellers are willing for sustainable travel experiences because they value the positive impact it has on the environment and local communities. Sustainable travel experiences often provide travellers with a deeper and more meaningful travel experience, and they feel good knowing that their travel choices are making a positive difference.” Over the years, Satguru has been reaching out to every single continent in the world. So what will be the company’s next big move. “We are reaching Australia and plans are in place. Hopefully we will reach that milestone this year. As for summer, we see the hike in bookings leisure and VFR to Asia as well as Europe,” he informed.
