The anticipation among fans is evident as sports tourism surges with the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, one of the most prestigious cricket competitions in the world, just around the way. The integrated campaign “Howzat for your perfect stay” was created by Booking.com, the Official Accommodation Partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, and it combines the travel industry, the sport of cricket, and the fervent supporters who make it possible. Former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, and Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com, participated in a press conference in Mumbai.
The promise of sports tourism must be realized
Travel and sports go hand in hand. Mega sporting events like the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023 draw tourists to the host city, which can boost both domestic and international travel. The most recent Booking.com APAC Travel Confidence Index shows that 56% of Indians are eager to attend a live or significant event this year, including sporting competitions. With fans from all over the world traveling to India for the event from October 5 to November 19, 2023, search data from Booking.com also showed a rise in inbound travel, with travelers from the UK, USA, UAE, Germany, and Australia leading the list for inbound searches.
Former Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan said, “Traveling is an intrinsic part of that experience. Taking wickets and performing on the cricket field have been significant parts of my life. My cricket voyage went beyond the field as I visited several cities, learned about varied cultures, sampled local cuisine, and visited various tourist attractions. Therefore, I’m happy to be a part of this Booking.com event, which combines travel and cricket to bring people together and celebrate the spirit of adventure and the moments that matter.
Converting sports fans into tourists
For millions of Booking.com customers, the chance to witness the best cricket teams in action is a compelling reason to travel and something that is truly on their bucket lists. Travel searches are increasing as a result of prominent matches across India. Beyond the event itself, visitors are interested in seeing what the city has to offer, which could result in extended stays and return trips. Seven of the top ten most popular travel locations in India are match-hosting cities, according to Booking.com. Among the most popular search terms for the match period of October 5 to November 19, 2023, are Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad is the second most sought location on match days, behind Delhi, for events like the India vs. Pakistan game on October 14.
Varun Dhawan, a Bollywood actor and ardent cricket supporter, echoed his enthusiasm when he said, “Travel and cricket are two things I am truly passionate about. Cricket is something I incorporate into my job, which provides me the chance to travel and discover various locations in India and throughout the world. I’m always ready for a game whenever I get the chance to play in between my shots. Booking.com is providing millions of fans, like me, with the fun and excitement of traveling and booking the ideal accommodation to watch their favorite team play in person during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. That matches perfectly now.
‘Howzat for your perfect stay’ is the slogan of Booking.com’s advertising for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. The advertisement features Glenn Maxwell, the captain of the England squad, and Rohit Sharma, the captain of the Indian team, to promote the enjoyment and thrill of making a reservation with Booking.com. By bringing viewers on a journey of a family thinking of their ideal cricket stay, it highlights the end-to-end simplicity and tremendous variety of accommodations that Booking.com offers.
Booking.com offers the largest selection of fantastic lodging options, including hotels, resorts, apartments, villas, and more, in more than 171,000 locations around the world, including locations where ICC matches are being played.
We are experiencing this tendency both globally and in India: the influence of major sporting events on travel demand and desire. As the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023’s Official Accommodation Partner, we offer fans flights, rental cars, taxis, attractions, and of course all types of interesting places to stay in order to make their cricket-inspired journey as smooth as possible. With the debut of our campaign, “Howzat for your perfect stay,” we are excited to honor one of the biggest sports in the world. This ad beautifully captures the pleasure and excitement of making a reservation on Booking.com, according to Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, the Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com.
From October 5 to November 19, 2023, the integrated campaign will run in India during the entire tournament on TV, digital, PR, and social media.
Source- Travel daily