We have always heard the analysts say that the hospitality and the tourism sectors are highly volatile. Any disturbance in the environment, either natural or man-made, impacts business considerably. They also go ahead and say that seasons affect business and primarily the monsoon period in India, from June to September, works as a dampener. I do agree that the monsoon vis-a-vis the other vibrant business seasons, proves to be challenging, however if one goes by what is trending, the hospitality sector is more than prepared to attract its clientele to a stay and offer them services that pampers their senses. Our cover story states that the industry has a master plan well in place to bring in the business. From reaching out to previous guests to holding flash sales to upgrading the property to become a complete holiday destination, hotels are using every strategy to tide over the monsoon season in India. Hotels have recreated packages that include a spa day at the resort, a pool picnic, or extended stay over the weekend, etc. Some hotels also give out vouchers for food, merchandise and spa massages to members in order to fill in for the off-season.

Keeping this in view, I wonder how ‘lean’ the monsoon season is considered to be as there are some properties who have worked smart strategies and seem to be smiling even during the predictably challenging times. The strategists have understood the pulse of the market, the changing mindsets of Indian travellers, who are a bolder and buoyant lot today as compared to the past. The short weekend breaks are a ‘must-do’, especially for the urbanites. This trend was recently captured by the travel company Cox & Kings as their research clearly stated that travellers are looking at the monsoons as the right time to travel. They have witnessed a 40 per cent rise in enquiries, especially to monsoon getaways, like Kerala, Coorg, Goa, Konkan and Uttarakhand. Ayurveda treatments are best suited during this season. Further, travellers can also take advantage of the still ‘off-season’ rates on hotel packages and also avail of some attractive airline deals. Keeping this in view and especially the changing travel mindsets, the future of travel during the monsoons may not be as ‘lean’ or rather ‘off-season’ anymore.

Reema Lokesh
Editor

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