Speaking about how the industry stakeholders must react to the current geopolitical situation, Isha Goyal, Chief Executive Officer, STIC Travel Group, says, “In my view, ‘waiting and watching’ is not enough. We didn’t ask for this crisis, but it’s at our doorstep — so here’s my two cents on what this moment demands from the Indian travel agent. Protect your margins. Service, consulting, and itinerary design fees feel uncomfortable to introduce mid-crisis, but they are the only parts of the model that hold when airline yields spike and commissions compress. Agencies that charge for expertise rather than simply marking up product are the ones that retain margin. Also, triage your client portfolio ruthlessly. In a downturn, the top 20% will still travel — differently, but they will. A large part of the middle will defer. Chasing that segment is expensive and largely unproductive.”
With over 17 years of experience in the B2B travel and hospitality sector, she brings deep insight into travel trade dynamics, industry challenges and market developments. She holds an MA in English Literature and a Diploma in Journalism from the Xavier Institute of Communications, Mumbai, which underpin her strong editorial expertise. An avid nature enthusiast, she prefers outdoor and adventure-led travel, including hiking and trekking.
