Dubai based firm, dnata, is targeting to be among the top five travel agencies in India, revealed Ashish Kishore, Country Head, dnata. According to him, dnata is also exploring options of introducing holidays, its specialist division, in the country. Holidays provides global leisure travel services with hotels, apartments, resorts, car rentals, theme parks, cruises, coach tours and others. “Over the next five years, we will mainly target corporate travel, Dubai visa, holidays and Marhaba services. With our existing portfolio of corporate travel, we are venturing into Dubai visa and holidays and Marhaba (meet and greet) business in the country. We believe this segment has a lot of potential. With so many newbie’s’ and many more on the pipeline, we are targeting to double our business by 2014, which will make us one of the top five travel agencies in India,” opined Kishore. .
Elaborating on the travel division of their business, Kishore said, “Every day, 2,108 travellers trust us with their plans. From holidays to the logistics of getting people wherever their work demands, we make plans that fit theirs. dnata’s travel business represents 36 different airlines across the region, sources 24-hour contact centres and supplies, distributes and promotes travel products and services, making them available to the travel trade industry through travel agency partners.” He further opined, “We manage everything from business and incentive travel and worldwide tour operations which include leisure, sports and active holidays through to hotel sales and marketing representation, offshore and marine services, and government and corporate services.”
Kishore claimed that dnata provides one-stop travel solutions for all leisure and corporate travel needs. “Together with our partner, the Hogg Robinson Group (HRG), we go beyond classic travel management to help our clients reduce costs in all areas, from service delivery and strategic supplier negotiations, right through to individual traveller itineraries,” he added.
He further revealed that dnata plans to open two new offices in the next three years in tier-I and II cities. “Currently we have our offices in eight cities in India. We plan to expand by operating two more depending on opportunities and our growth,” stated Kishore.
Commenting on their ground handling division, Kishore revealed, “dnata’s ground handling team at London’s Heathrow airport will soon provide passenger services for three daily flights for Air India. These services will include checking in passengers, operation of Air India’s ticket counter and Maharaja VIP Lounge and lost luggage staff to assist with queries in the arrivals hall as well as a range of special services.”
