TravTalk India Online Magazine
For Netherlands-based DMC Saffron World B.V., India remains an important market. The company believes that regular engagement with clients through their expansive sales team, participation at travel shows, and strong digital presence, they can achieve remarkable numbers and boost the business.
TT Bureau
Established in late 2018, Saffron World B.V. is a Netherlands-based Destination Management Company (DMC) specializing in handling FIT, Leisure Groups, and MICE to Europe. Ravi Gosain, Managing Director, Saffron World B.V., shared that they successfully conducted business from India and various other regions until the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted the tourism sector.
“However, we have since reorganized and restructured our back office and sales teams in India to cater to B2B clients effectively. Strategically located in the Netherlands, we benefit from excellent connectivity to all parts of Europe. All our products and services are meticulously crafted to meet the specific requirements of Indian travellers. With sales teams based in Delhi and Mumbai, we provide dedicated support to travel agents and tour operators for their clients’ European travel needs. What sets us apart from many European DMCs is our fully-staffed sales team, enabling us to promptly address client inquiries and ensure excellent customer service.”
The Saffron team actively engages in direct sales calls, participates in various travel trade marts, and conducts roadshows in major cities, as well as tier II & III cities, and APAC. He added, “This helps us to expand our network and foster relationships with both existing and prospective clients. Following our participation in SATTE 2023, we have received an overwhelmingly positive response from B2B agents, demonstrating our potential for continued success despite challenges such as delays in obtaining Schengen visas and high flight costs.”
Talking about their strategy, Gosain shared, “Over the past year, we have diligently worked to establish partnerships with suppliers across Europe, contracting with numerous hotels and transport companies to curate the best value packages for our customers. Our primary focus lies in tailor made packages, which though time-consuming, offer significant business opportunities. We have set ambitious targets to capture a sizable share of this segment and are actively implementing strategies to achieve our objectives.”
Kumar Utkarsh, General Manager-Sales, Saffron World B.V., claimed that India holds significant importance as an outbound market for us, and we are delighted to witness the evolving demands of travellers, extending beyond conventional tourism offerings and destinations. “Understanding the specific requirements of tour operators and travel agents, who represent actual travellers, is paramount. Without comprehensive destination knowledge and experience, creating marketable products becomes a challenge.
Therefore, our management dedicates maximum time to researching accommodations, local tours, experiences, culinary options, transportation, and more, ensuring that we offer the best available options to maintain quality and provide optimal value for every rupee spent by travellers through Saffron World,” he said.
Sharing their plans, he added, “We have strategically planned our marketing activities in
India by enhancing our sales team in key source markets and participating in various city roadshows and trade fairs such as SATTE and OTM. Our online presence and activities are also evolving in tandem with market demands and growth, ensuring that we remain agile and responsive to future requirements.”
