Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 25 (IANS) Indian business travellers made the highest number of foreign trips in the first half of the year as compared to other Asian nationalities, a survey said Thursday.

Conducted by global hospitality firm Accor, the survey said: “Indians have taken some of the highest number of trips on an average in the first half of 2011 as compared to their Asian counterparts.”

The company said the survey showed that India’s outbound travel market is growing at a very fast pace.

“The results have been extremely insightful and reinforce our view that India is one of the fastest growing outbound business travel markets in the region,” said Evan Lewis, vice-president, Accor Asia Pacific Communications.

Titled ‘Accor Asia Pacific Business Travel Research 2011′, the survey also revealed that Indian business travellers expect advanced facilities in hotels to utilise their time in the best-possible way.

“Smart phone access, biometric access control systems, in-room digital concierge system and in-room video conference are on their wish list,” it said.

The survey said Indian travellers contributed to the hotel revenues not just by using the rooms but also by utilising other facilities like gym, spas and dining.

“Indian travellers emerged as the ‘power users’ of the hotel’s recreational facilities (fitness centres, spa usage and dining in the hotel),” it said.

The survey also revealed that Indian business travellers were becoming more environmentally conscious by choosing hotels that are more eco-friendly.

The company surveyed 10,000 business travellers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand and Thailand.