Cruising Full Throttle

The intrepid Indian traveller wants to explore far-flung destinations in five-star seafaring style, a segment that TIRUN has tapped for over half a century.

- Manya Kapoor

Having spent nearly four decades in the business of travel, Ratna Chadha, the Chief Executive of TIRUN Travel Marketing, has observed that only in the past two decades has the Indian traveller been exposed to the delights of cruising. Recently, the segment has been ratcheting up demand from even far-flung corners of India, as more people want to connect to the remotest ends of earth in grand style.

In 1991, Chadha, along with her husband, Gautam, had established the Discover the World Marketing (DTWM) franchise in India, representing global travel brands in the country, including Hertz and US Airways. The company was later rechristened as TIRUN Travel Marketing, which focuses exclusively on cruise vacations, promoting three cruise brands under the umbrella of Royal Caribbean Cruises—Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. “We chose this sector because it was challenging, exciting and unknown back in those days. Vacations on the sea were mostly unheard of in India,” says Chadha. The year 2013 was momentous for the company— TIRUN completed 20 years of partnership with Royal Caribbean Cruises. Currently, the Delhi-based company has offices in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai, as well as representations in Hyderabad and Kolkata.

She predicts smooth sailing ahead. “The Indian traveller has evolved from a mere tourist to an explorer who seeks experimental and novel experiences,” says Chadha. In response to this new traveller, even cruise liners have evolved, and now offer immersive destination experiences to guests, be it sailing around the Galapagos Islands or admiring the icebergs float by in Alaska.

Traditionally cruising holidays were the preserve of the Baby Boomers. How popular are cruises among the affluent Indian travellers?