Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations outlined plans to expand beyond ticketing into hotels, cabs, insurance, visas and vacation packages, supported by end-to-end, tech-driven MICE solutions.
By Janice Alyosius
After a challenging start to the year, India’s travel and MICE sector is showing resilience, with companies adapting to shifting market conditions and evolving client expectations. Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations’ recent annual gathering in Delhi reflected this renewed momentum, highlighting the industry’s ability to stabilise and recalibrate following earlier disruptions.
Adhip Nath Palchaudhuri, Chairman and Managing Director, Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations, pointed to improving demand trends and a broader strategic shift. “We are seeing strong traveller demand returning, and festival season bookings are already surpassing last year. Going ahead, we plan to expand our offerings beyond ticketing into hotels, cabs, insurance and visa services, creating a one-stop solution for both corporate and individual customers,” he said.
Palchaudhuri added that technology partnerships are central to this expansion. “We are also leveraging technology partners to enhance service delivery and cater to evolving consumer needs. The focus is on blending business with leisure, providing holistic experiences that go beyond traditional MICE setups.”
Providing perspective on operational strategy and customer engagement, Ashok K Gupta, COO (Travel), Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations, said the company is aligning its travel and leisure verticals more closely. “With the growth of both travel and vacation divisions, we are making concerted efforts to convert all our travel clients for vacations, packages, holidays and overseas travel. We have provided self-booking tools for ticketing and automated vacation packages to meet evolving requirements,” he said.
Highlighting the growth potential within business events and leisure-led travel, RS Louis, Director, Service Businesses, Balmer Lawrie Travel & Vacations, noted strong demand across segments. “There is a huge demand. We are already into MICE, but there is a significant opportunity to grow this business. We are strengthening tie-ups with hotels and transport providers and creating end-to-end packages, covering travel, accommodation and experiences,” he said.
As corporate expectations evolve, Palchaudhuri underlined a broader shift in how business events are being designed. “MICE is no longer just about meetings. It is a mix of business and pleasure. By integrating entertainment, mini treks or nature-based activities, we can supplement the corporate agenda and provide a memorable experience for attendees,” he said.
