Mazda creates flexible tours

Mazda Travel will continue to invest in showcasing Canada to the trade in India and work with its channel partners to ensure the front-line sales team has the available knowledge and tools to sell the destination.

TT Bureau

Celebrating 20 years this October, Mazda Travel is the exclusive General Sales Agent for Rocky Mountaineer Rail Tours and preferred partners for Jonview Canada in India. It will work with suppliers to create programmes with attractive incentives for the travel trade as part of its 20th anniversary celebration.

Speaking about the changing Indian market, Mernoz Shastri, Director, Mazda Travel, says, “Travelling on an escorted group departure used to be the preferred choice for Indians. This however, is changing and they are now looking for flexibility, variety of attractions, activities and experiences. To cater to this, we have created a range of programmes across Canada through our Independent Vacations, Self Drive Holidays, Private Journeys and Rail Travel. These programmes offer freedom to design itineraries at their own pace, choose hotels, attractions, activities and meals plan within their budget. We will continue to innovate and expand these programmes to cater to the Indian traveller.”

“It is vital for agents to be aware of the programmes, activities and experiences across Canada”

Shastri adds that he has noticed a lack of destination and product knowledge among front-line staff at agency level particularly in Tier-II and III cities. “They lack ability to frame itineraries and offer standard escorted tours run by city-based operators. This dramatically reduces available tour options to the consumer and limits suppliers wanting to do business in India. To ensure agents confidently offer and promote Canada as a year-round destination, it is vital they are aware of the available programmes, sights, activities and experiences across Canada. We have created easy-to-refer training modules to assist agents to get familiarised with Canada,” he says, adding that the company conducts on-site and off-site training workshops across India and over 1,000 agents have been through their training sessions over the years.

With direct air connectivity, Mazda expects arrivals to continue to grow from India. “We are working with our suppliers and tourism boards to showcase Canada as a year-round destination. While demand continues to grow from major metros, Tier-II and III cities are an emerging opportunity. Every year, we receive 20 per cent of business from new agents,” Shastri reveals.

Since a bulk of the bookings processed in major metros were from agents spread across smaller towns and cities, tourism boards, hotels, destination management companies and their representations are now actively wooing agents from Tier-II and III cities. “Our sales team makes agency visits across India and for 2018, our target is to visit 800 agents. In addition, we participate in national and regional trade events. Pune, Ahmedabad andd Hyderabad are few of our key markets, and we will continue to add more cities moving forward,” Shastri adds.