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As a travel company owner, I believe that travel is more about the people than the places themselves. Having travelled to over 20 countries, I've found that the best and most authentic experiences come from connecting with locals and immersing oneself in their daily lives and cultures. I often travel solo or with my best friend  Dhairya Chheda (who funnily enough I met while the two of us were solo travelling), which allows me to socialize with anyone and everyone, whether at a café, an event, or on the subway. Staying in hostels is an experience everyone must have. It’s where I meet fellow travellers from around the globe.  These lead to the most spontaneous plans as I join others in their travels or plans or invite them to join mine. Road trips are another favourite, offering occasional lifts to hitchhikers, I’ve forged friendships and the most unusual shared stories. Many of these are still my very good friends. I have couch-surfed across Europe where many of these connections came through and vice versa. This also has been a significant part of my travel experience as well, both as a guest and a host. Hosting friends in India gives me the privilege to share my culture and hospitality while being a guest abroad lets me experience places through the eyes of a local. When it comes to exploring the destination, I prefer a flexible, go-with-the-flow approach. I start with a basic plan - knowing only my start and end points but everything in between is open to spontaneity. If I meet someone in the morning, I might adopt their plan or wander off to discover hidden local gems. Not having a fixed itinerary allows me to have a fully immersive experience, explore the unexpected, and find the most authentic and memorable experiences. My philosophy of connecting with people and embracing spontaneity enriches travel and shapes the ethos of my travel company. I aim to provide my clients with genuine, immersive travel experiences that prioritise cultural immersion and a one-in-lifetime kind of experience.

Sports have always been one of the biggest contributors to economies. For example, the 2016 Rio Olympics attracted over 1.17 million tourists, generating $1.2 billion in revenue; the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia welcomed 3 million visitors, contributing $14 billion to the economy; and the 2012 London Olympics saw an 8.5% increase in tourists, boosting the economy by $18 billion. The nations don’t just reap these benefits during the events but long after that.  Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Japan Despite the unfortunate losses incurred by Japan due to COVID-19, the Japanese govt spent about $35 billion on infrastructure improvement with an ROI of about $2 billion. However, before the pandemic, Japan recorded over 31.8 million visitors resulting in $49 billion in visitor spend and 8% total employment. It is said that this success was in some part attributable to the naming of Tokyo in 2012 as a host for the 2020 Games.  Authorities say that the infrastructural improvements for Japan’s tourism leaders still outweigh the negatives because compared to before, Japan now offers more extensive free Wi-Fi, more infrastructure supported with multilingual signage, and increased deployment of universal designs for those with disabilities.  These investments will enable inbound tourists to enjoy visiting Japan more than ever, and will also draw them back again and again for many years to come.  FIFA Men’s World Cup 2022, Qatar  Qatar's hosting of the FIFA World Cup 2022 showcased the nation's dedication to delivering a world-class event despite pandemic challenges and lack of infrastructure. The Qatari government invested around $220 billion in infrastructure, promising long-term benefits.  The infrastructural developments included 8 state-of-the-art stadiums, new hotels, expanded transportation networks, widespread free Wi-Fi, and multilingual signage. However, Qatar's strict alcohol policies frustrated many European fans, although this did not dampen their spirits. To support these projects, Qatar employed many migrant workers from countries like Bangladesh and India, with migrant workers making up about 85% of the workforce by 2023. In the years following the World Cup, Qatar has seen significant tourism growth. By 2023, tourist arrivals increased by 20% compared to pre-pandemic levels, reaching 2.5 million visitors. Visitor spending surged, contributing an estimated $15 billion to the economy in 2023, up from $11 billion in 2019. The tourism sector's contribution to employment also grew, now accounting for 10% of total employment, compared to 8% before the World Cup. Sports events like the Olympics, F1 and FIFA World Cup drive significant sports tourism, bolstering local economies through heightened visitor spending and infrastructure development, leaving enduring economic benefits and cultural legacies.

My Japan Road Trip Experience 🇯🇵 Osaka → Kobe → Kyoto → Asahi → Shirakawa → Nagoya → Takaoka → Nagano → Tokyo  I recently took an incredible 9-day road trip along Japan's west coast with my friend  Dhairya Chheda . Here are some key takeaways and tips from our journey: 1. Parking Challenges: Finding parking in cities is quite a task. Not only is it difficult to locate parking spots, but free parking is almost non-existent. 2. High Parking Costs: Be prepared for parking fees ranging from 250 to 1000 yen per hour. It's best to budget accordingly. 3. Fuel Prices: Petrol prices are comparable to those in India, so factor this into your travel expenses. 4. Toll Roads: Every highway has tolls that can be quite pricey. The ETC Card is essential for discounted rates, but even with it, we spent around 30,000 to 40,000 yen (approx. ₹16,000 to ₹17,000). 5. Car Rental Tips: Opt for the same pick-up and drop-off location to avoid extra charges. We learned this the hard way with different locations. 6. Smooth Drives: The driving experience in Japan is unparalleled, even better than my European road trips. The roads are exceptionally smooth and well-maintained. 7. Traffic Signals: Be prepared for numerous city traffic signals, often every 100 meters. Patience is key! Overall, the trip was a fantastic experience. Japan's landscapes, culture, and road infrastructure make it a top destination for road trips. 🚙✨

Why I Urge My Team to Attend Travel Expos and Recommend Them to Anyone New to the Industry.  In 2019, about a year into starting Fly Bagna, I had the opportunity to attend ITB Asia in Singapore. These are some key takeaways on why ITB was a game-changer for me and it’s one that everyone must attend:  Global Connections - The event brought together tourism boards and industry professionals all under one roof, allowing me to connect with contacts from popular tourist destinations and remote countries that were not popular in the Indian market at the time. Navigating Barriers -  Learning to navigate language and cultural barriers and gaining firsthand knowledge about destinations and local operations, which is often hard to find and understand while figuring out logistics from one end of the world. Product Insights - Observing what makes a successful and popular travel product and identifying market disruptors helped me gain a clear understanding of market trends not just in India but across the globe. Direct Networking -  Establishing connections with hoteliers and Destination Management Companies (DMC) that would offer direct access to direct on-ground information which was one of the most invaluable experiences and has to date helped in enhancing efficiency in business in the following countries. Industry Knowledge - Engaging with industry leaders and speakers expanded my knowledge beyond basic research, understanding costs, cultural nuances and destinations more specifically.  Attending the ITB Asia event was a great experience as well as a learning curve. The insights and connections gained continue to be assets as we at Fly Bagna strive to deliver exceptional travel solutions.