Research objective
In order to establish an accurate image of each market, the study will take into account:
- Existing local infrastructure, encompassing airports, and telecommunications industries, particularly the internet that provides connectivity to the global network as well as the future development of these facilities.
- Tourism policies of the respective governments and how they shape the countries’ outbound travel markets such as the entrance of foreign travel players on the local scene, the liberalization of civil aviation laws, and foreign exchange allowance for overseas travelers.
- The growing economies of each country brought about by GDP growth rates, foreign direct investments (FDI), foreign exchange rates/inflation rates, employment, and import/export.
Research Framework
Section One: Local Infrastructure and Telecommunications Industries
This section will explore the ability of existing local infrastructure and telecommunications industries to meet the growing travel demands of travelers in each country to date. Subsequently, the study will also look into the future developments proposed by the respective governments of each country for both industries.
- Existing transport infrastructure (destinations serviced by air, sea, rail, and road).
- Projected expansion of transport infrastructure.
- Current state of telecommunications industry and its bearing to the promotion of outbound travel.
Section Two: Tourism and Economic Policies Shaping Outbound Travel
A review of the tourism and economic policies of the respective governments taking into account:
- Liberalization of civil aviation laws, ‘open skies’ policy.
- Entrance of foreign travel players such as national tourist organizations (NTOs).
- Visa processing and other legal impediments that affect outbound travel.
- Foreign exchange allowance for overseas travelers.
- Economic development and its impact on the volume of potential outbound travelers.
Section Three: Travel Trends
- Assess current and upcoming travel trends based upon the examination of existing marketing techniques employed by other NTOs to determine why others have succeeded and why some did not make the grade.
Section Four: Recommendations and Observations
In conclusion, strategic recommendations for the development of individual marketing strategies for each country based on the above findings will be provided. A SWOT analysis will also be presented to identify opportunities and understand weaknesses so as to control and eliminate threats.
Research Methodology
Having conducted comprehensive studies in selected Asia Pacific markets since the onset of the millennium, the team, led by the Research Manager with the support of two research analysts, shall:
- Scrutinize information from secondary sources such as news articles, online journals and published researches.
- Analyze first-hand data derived from the results of questionnaires and telephone interviews.
Interview Parameters
The leading outbound travel agents of the respective countries will be the main resource group of the study as they have the inside track on the outbound market. Initial telephone interviews with outbound travel agents from China and India will be conducted to introduce the study and to obtain support for the project.Questionnaires will be distributed to 5 outbound travel agents located in each of the key cities of China (Beijing in the north, Guangzhou to the south, and Shanghai in between) and India (Mumbai in West India, Delhi in North India, Bangalore and Hyderabad in South India).
Subsequent telephone interviews will be carried out to provide additional details about the answers provided by survey respondents.
Questions to be posed will include, but are not limited to:
- Perception and outlook towards tourism policies in China and India.
- Adopted marketing strategies (budget allocation, advertisements implemented).
- Assessment of the potential of outbound travel in both countries.
- Factors that hinder the growth of outbound travel.
The research also welcomes the input of project members to help shape the content of the questionnaires to be handed out to the participants.
Time of Completion
The project will be finished eight months after initiation and the research will be presented in PDF format.
