INBOUND tour operators in Malaysia specialising in the Indian market are competing with Thailand for the Indian wedding segment. Ground rates are usually the deciding factor, noted Adam Kamal, managing director of Tina Travel & Agencies. "The challenge is to offer ground arrangements as competitive as Bangkok and Pattaya, as wedding organisers are very price-conscious. Usually, the bride's parents would pay for the wedding, including tours and accommodation for guests." Adam lost two groups to Pattaya earlier this year and is up against the destination again for another bid for a 600-pax wedding group from Mumbai in November.
Tourland Travel managing director A Aruldass has been updating his Indian agent partners on value-for-money offerings at Malaysia's five-star properties and cost-saving possibilities on wedding requirements such as Hindu priests, musicians and chefs. Red Apple Travel & Tours managing director Arokia Das Anthony said word-of-mouth marketing was very effective. So far, he has organised seven Indian weddings since the last quarter of 2009, with another in the pipeline for this year-end.
-TTG Asia.
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