MADRID-BASED CENTURY INCOMING LOOKS AT TAPPING INDIAN LEISURE AND MICE SEGUMENT THIS YEAR

Madrid-based Century Incoming, a Destination Management Company (DMC), which has been testing waters in India for the past three years, is looking at aggressively tapping the Indian leisure and MICE segment this year. For the same, the company has set up a different department to cater to the Indian travel agents. The company will promote cities of Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia and destinations like Sevilla, Cordoba, and Granada in Andalusia, Canary Islands, Mallorca and Ibiza. Last year, the company appointed Mumbai-based Global Destinations as their representatives in the Indian market.

Speaking with TravelBiz Monitor Cristina Lozano, Managing Director, Century Incoming said, “We have been coming to India for the past three years to tap the Indian market. The market now looks promising and we are looking at tapping the leisure and MICE segment. We are looking at working with all the agents in the Indian market, as restricting the network of agents will limit the scope of promoting the destination. Furthermore connectivity into Spain will be enhanced as Qatar Airways and Emirates Airline will soon be starting flights to Madrid. The new flights will definitely help boost tourist traffic into the country.”

CENTURY INCOMING SPAIN MARKS ITS FORAY INTO INDIAN MARKET WITH PRESENTATION IN MUMBAI PLAN TO PROMOTE GOLF TOURISM

In a bid to create awareness and promote Mijas, Malaga in Andalucia region of Spain as a tourist destination among Indian travellers. Mijas tourism organised a presentation for the Indian travel trade in Mumbai recently. This is the first initiative of Mijas Tourism Board in the Indian market.

Juan Carlos Acevedo, Director, Mijas Tourism, in this presentation highlighted the various of Mijas like the 14 km-long coastline, rich culture, golf courses and spas, sports activities and Mediterranean cuisine.
“While the numbers are low, we have witnessed an increase in Indian tourist arrivals. We have also received group travellers from India. Our effort is to understand the Indian market, which has huge potential and interact with the travel trade. This is the first step towards a long-term relationship. With 12 golf courses in Mijas, we are looking at promoting Golf Tourism. Mijas can be easily accessed from Cordoba, Seville, Granada and Costa del Sol. Indian tour operators have designed itineraries for Spain, which incorporate these destinations, and hence it will be easier to include Mijas”, stated Acevedo.

Arturo Ortiz Arduan, Tourism Counselor, Embassy of Spain -Tourism Department, Tourism office of Spain – Mumbai, said “Mijas is an important tourist destination in Spain. However, it is unknown in the Indian market and hence this first unique initiative by Mijas Tourism”.

Cristina Lozano, Managing Director, Century Incoming (DMC), also made a presentation. The event was facilitated by Global Destinations, which represents Century Incoming in India.

HIGH QUALITY OF INBOUND TOURISM

Century incoming one of the leading travel companies in the leisure market, has been in business since 2002 with an excellent reputation for outstanding service.

High level of specialization in the different emerging markets in both Europe and Asia, based on a excellent service and adjusted prices.

Century was built in October 2002 as a Incoming travel agency organized for foreigners. Throughout these years of experience in the market, the company has obtained a high and constant volume of growth and benefits from the first moment, something that they have achieved thanks to the multiple hours of dedication and work invested.

For the development of its activities, this company has a highly qualified and experienced team.

WIEW POINT

IS THE SPANISH NTO’S FOCUS ON INDIAN MICE AND THE HONEYMOONERS THE RIGHT STRATEGY?

“Yes. This year alone, we handled a few MICE groups from India. In the last there months, we had more than 1.000 MICE passengers, in March, we met a lot of travel agents in Mumbai and Delhi who showed great interest in the MICE segment, currently travelling to European destinations such as Italy, Switzerland and France. Honeymooners, one of India’s largest market segments, are also exploring new destinations.”

Cristina Lozano
Managing director Century Incoming