Prague-based Destination Management Company Liberty International is set to extensively expand its portfolio by adding three destinations to it every year. The company currently operates 53 offices out of 40 countries. Speaking with T3 on his recent visit to India, Mario Enzesberger, Founder and Global CEO, Liberty International revealed that Azerbaijan, China Mainland, Peru, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, South America and Indonesia are among the destination on the cards.
He stated that they entered the India market in 1993 to facilitate inbound tourism, and subsequently saw great potential in outbound and began outgoing services as well, a success owing to their widespread presence. “Outbound is a dominant market from India. Inbound has tremendous potential, but lack of infrastructure is a deterrent. However, there are the right strings being pulled – more hotels across categories, infrastructure development, more facilities, new airlines, all with improving quality,” opined Enzesberger.
Speaking about destinations that are popular among Indian travellers, Prashant Yadav, Managing Director, Liberty Representations India listed West Europe as a no-brainer to the Indian market. He further added that, newer destinations such as Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, the Yugoslavian Region, East Europe, Scandinavia, Morocco and South America are being promoted by them. “These are not necessarily new destinations, but they are new to the Indian market. There is very little recognition for these destinations in India. Kenya, too, is popular among FITs, but we are trying to promote it for larger numbers,” he said.
When asked about their strongest market segments from here, Yadav revealed that leisure and MICE are their strengths. The company has still not forayed with all its energy to FIT. They want to consolidate for leisure, adhoc and MICE segments first, he explained.
Liberty International works across four verticals – leisure, MICE, event, PCO, and is also a representation company for international hotels that do not have properties or sales offices in India. Their portfolio includes a couple of hotel chains in Europe and standalone properties in Thailand. They also own and operate a property of their own in Prague, and safari lodges in Africa under the brand ‘New African Territories’. Enzesberger sees potential for this business in India as well.
The company works on a B2B model and conducts regular workshops for destinations as well as roadshows and point to point sales calls for their clients.
