Q

How has your Indian travel business compared to other Abercrombie & Kent destinations in the past few few years?

A
 Volume growth to India over the last few years has been impressive.  The limiting factor going forward is the lack of space during high season.



Q
 Who is it that's going to India?  Do you think travelers are choosing India over more commonplace destinations like the UK or France?
A
 India has made great strides in developing not only the hotel experiences but also the whole tourism infrastructure.  Active deregulation has opened the doors to some superb carriers such as Jet Airways, who for domestic flights perform better than many of their Western counterparts.  The effect of this is to make India a far more comfortable and less challenging destination than it traditionally was in the past.  In turn, this has greatly broadened the appeal of the destination.



Q

As a travel agency, what changes in India have had the most effect on your business?

A

As I mentioned, the key changes revolve around development of world class hotels and resorts and the fact that flying is no longer the agonizing experience it once was.   In addition, many international companies now have offices in India which has greatly increased its global exposure.




Q

If money is no object, what would you include in a two-week tour of India?

A
  • Udaipur and its magical Lake Pichola and City Palace combined with a private cruise to Jag Mandir.  Dinner at Devigarh a must.
  • Jodhpur with its rural Bishnoi villages and a private fireworks display over the spectacular Meherangarh Fort.
  • Jaipur with a private royal historian to discover the secret delights of the Amber Fort.
  • Agra with a romantic sunrise visit to the majestic Taj Mahal.
  • A Royal Maharajah tent at the Pushkar Camel Fair.
  • I’d miss my return flight to stay on and visit Bhutan and Darjeeling.




George Morgan-Grenville is president of Abercrombie & Kent, a luxury travel agency which moves 25,000 people a year to 100 countries on all seven continents.  Born in the United Kingdom, Morgan-Grenville attended Eton College and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, before serving as an infantry officer.  He became Managing Director A&K Thailand in 1998 and then Managing Director of A&K London in January 2000.  Under his guidance, the company won the coveted “World’s Best Tour Operator” award and he personally planned three trips for HRH The Prince of Wales to Tanzania, Turkey and the Himalayas.  In 1992, Morgan-Grenville became the first Westerner to travel in a private saloon rail carriage along the Old Silk Route in Central Asia from Urgench to Alma Ata.