TravTalk India Online Magazine
Björn Bender, CEO, Rail Europe, speaks to TRAVTALK about the company’s focus on simplifying train travel bookings across Europe for Indian travel agents, new products they can promote and the growing trend of slow travel among Indian travellers.
Hazel Jain
How important is India as a market for Rail Europe?
India is one of Rail Europe’s most important markets, and my visit aims to strengthen relationships with trade partners, explore growth opportunities, and gain deeper insights into the evolving preferences of Indian travellers. The focus is on collaborating with the Indian travel industry to simplify train travel bookings across Europe, ensuring seamless experiences for Indian tourists, with the help of technology.
Europe is seeing a spree of new trains like ÖBB. Tell us why this revival in train journeys?
Yes, there is a lot going on in the European rail industry with billions of euros invested into the infrastructure, and we are happy to see that there are new launches coming into the market. For instance, there are two new day train connections between Munich and Amsterdam, and Paris and Berlin with a day high-speed train. I would also like to highlight the reopening of the Milan-Paris route, which is huge considering its popularity among Indian travellers.
Do you see a growing trend of Indians wanting to travel sustainably today?
Yes, what is really driving this revival of trains is a growing desire for sustainable travel. As travellers become more eco-conscious, rail offers an attractive alternative to short-haul flights. Trains allow passengers to relax, enjoy beautiful landscapes, and reduce their carbon footprint all at once. With so many new and revamped services, we are thrilled to see more travellers choosing rail as their preferred mode of transport across Europe, and Rail Europe is here to help them experience it all. Sustainability is at the core of Rail Europe’s mission, as train travel significantly reduces carbon emissions compared to other modes of transport. Rail Europe also offers personalised solutions, such as the Eurail Pass and Swiss Travel Pass, catering to Indian travellers seeking flexible, scenic, and eco-friendly journeys. With access to over 200 rail operators, Rail Europe ensures that Indian travellers can discover Europe in a sustainable and convenient way.
Any new updates and developments from Rail Europe, especially for trade partners?
Rail Europe has been enhancing its B2B platform to provide trade partners with seamless booking tools, better personalisation, and competitive pricing. Recent partnerships, such as with iryo and RegioJet, have expanded our offerings. Additionally, the introduction of Protection Plans addresses the increasing demand for flexibility in travel bookings. We have seen B2B growth of 23 per cent over 2023.
What other trends do you see among Indian travellers?
We can say it used to be 70 per cent travel from March to June, but now we see more travel outside of the spring/ early summer break, especially on shoulder season.
One product that is getting popular in India and one product that has a lot of potential?
The Swiss Travel Pass continues to be a favourite among Indian travellers, especially for iconic routes like the Glacier Express and GoldenPass. On the other hand, regional passes, such as the Germany-Austria Pass and Benelux Pass, hold significant potential.
