Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com 23 ITB ASIA Official Dailies | news wit "little Big 10" The Emerging Middle Class (EMC) is a rapidly growing global market of consumers newly entering the middle-income group. its immense opportunity remains untapped by many multinational corporations, reveals a study by social innovator, Eden Strategy institute. According to the Asia Emerging Middle Class Survey, the EMC population currently stands globally at 565 million. it is expected to reach 3.5 billion in 2030 with 85% of it within South-east Asia. Take into consideration the middle class in China, who used to be the emerging middle class, said Antoine noens, managing director, easytours, "The Chinese middle class is becoming the FiT traveller; he goes where he wants to and no longer follows the flag. "Yes, the numbers for tour groups are going up, but so are the FiT travellers and like in Spain, they took a political decision to give visa approval to the Chinese within 24 hours, because they know the Chinese tourists spend money. They spend what they do not spend at home. They prefer to spend it abroad." This should prompt companies especially travel companies to take note of their needs and wants. Travel can be seen as a new status symbol product amongst this demographic,. "The Emerging Middle Class The emerging middle class can be found within Asia's developing markets of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. TRAvEL CoMpAniES SHoULd EYE THE EMCS By natalie Chen represents an untapped market of over half a billion consumers. Unlike the traditional middle-class, EMC consumers may have irregular income flows, and are highly discerning about longer-term value of their purchases," said Calvin Chu Yee Ming, partner at Eden Strategy institute. With the increasing purchasing powers of the emerging middle class would it be timely for travel companies to capture their attention now? Access to mobile internet was the most common EMC consumer possession, with an average of 42.2% ownership of a mobile phone, computer or tablet across the four countries of india, vietnam, indonesia amd the philippines. internet and mobile device ownership is highest among EMC consumers in the philippines, with over 57.9% of respondents having internet access. Thus, in order to capture their attention online, travel companies and agents have to be innovative and responsive in their design of their website and mobile apps. in fact some travel agents like Chan Brothers have hopped onto the mobile app wagon. Antoine noens, managing director, easytours. TEn oUT oF TEn FoR "LiTTLE Big 10" (Top) From left: Michael Yates and Mark Meehan, Travelport. Up, up and away with Yeoh Siew Hoon launching WiT 2014. The northstar Travel Media management team get down to business with Tom kemp, Chairman and CEo, northstar Travel Media; and Robert g. Sullivan, president of the Travel group; with dan kordick, Wicks group. (Right) From left: Warut Sirawongprasert, Xcaliber; Hazel Tee San peng, CyberSource; and Tanongkiat Budthasaen, Xcaliber. (Left) From left: Tai parata, Abacus; Mirza Juddani, skiddoo; Ruchit Jangid, Thomas Cook (india); Jeet Sawhney, Abacus; Brett Henry, Abacus; and Amit Madhan, Thomas Cook (india). (Below) From left: Mark Wong, Silver needle Hospitality; and Roland Jegge, World Hotels Ag.

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