DU Digital Global Spotlights Surge in Sustainable Tourism Practices for 2024

DU Digital Global, a global provider offering specialized services related to visa processing, passport management, and more, eyes sustained growth trend in 2024 with notable developments in outbound travel & visa applications. Shivaz Rai, Non-Executive Director, DU Digital Global, talks to T3 in terms of growth, trends, expansion strategy, and more.

Growth & Trends in 2024

In 2023, we observed a gradual resurgence in visa application numbers, marking a departure from the subdued figures seen during the pandemic. Although there was a noticeable uptick from the previous year, it remained below the levels observed before the pandemic.

As we look forward to 2024, our projections indicate a sustained growth trend, signaling encouraging developments in outbound travel and consequently in visa applications. Summer travel patterns from India reveal a notable increase in interest toward destinations such as UAE, Thailand, Malaysia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. Indian travelers are seeking authentic cultural experiences and deeper immersion in their journeys.

Notably, there’s a rising awareness of sustainable tourism practices, reflecting a growing concern for environmental conservation. Alongside these trends, the burgeoning influence of digital platforms is enhancing the convenience and flexibility of travel arrangements. These shifts underscore a broader movement towards exploration, experiential travel, sustainability, and digitalization among Indian tourists.

Expansion Strategy

We currently operate visa application centers strategically located in major cities across India, Bangladesh and Nepal, ensuring accessibility and convenience for our applicants. Many of these centres have premium lounges, offering value-added services to enhance the applicant experience. We offer both in-person and digital visa application options.

The absence of visa application centres in numerous smaller cities poses a major hindrance to operating a seamless visa application process in the Indian market. This lack of accessibility compels individuals to undertake long journeys to the nearest available city or resort to intermediary services, adding complexity and inconvenience to the process. Recognizing this challenge, our focus is on addressing this gap by identifying and establishing visa application centers in these underserved areas. We are already operating in smaller cities like Siliguri, Silchar, Bongaigaon etc.

Moreover, we are leveraging digital technologies to streamline and expedite the visa application process. This includes leveraging technology to offer more convenient and efficient solutions, as well as expanding our network of visa application centers to reach even more customers across the country. Also, from premium lounge access at our visa application centers to expedited processing options, visa at your doorstep etc., we strive to ensure a seamless and stress-free experience for our clients.