In a groundbreaking feat, India has clinched the coveted second-largest market position for Rail Europe, breaking the mould after a resilient 90 years of global dominance. Björn Bender, the dynamic President and CEO of Rail Europe, spilled the beans in an exclusive interview with ET, highlighting India’s phenomenal rise in 2023 as a monumental victory for the company.
While the United States has long been Rail Europe’s star market, Bender revealed that India outpaced global heavyweights like China and Japan to seize the runner-up position. Despite grappling with visa delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks, a wave of Indian explorers swept through European gems like London, Switzerland, France, and Italy in the past year.
Rail Europe, riding high on a staggering 60% surge in global revenue, saw India making a substantial dent by snagging around 5 million European train tickets. Within this impressive number, half a million tickets found homes in India alone. Bender credited this triumph to India’s swifter rebound from the pandemic, outpacing other nations.
The company’s commitment to conquering the Indian market is palpable through strategic alliances with travel titans like MakeMyTrip, Thomas Cook, and Swisstours. Rail Europe is gearing up to be the undisputed choice for European train bookings, channeling investments into local teams and travel agents.
Buoyed by optimism, Bender forecasts a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of at least 20% in India’s rail travel sector in the upcoming years. He underlined the vast potential for growth, spotlighting the 70 billion euros European rail industry, a significant chunk of which comes from tickets sold outside Europe. Rail Europe is set to maintain its market share beyond European borders, riding the wave of escalating demand from countries like India.
Acknowledging the strides made by nations like Switzerland in easing visa processes for Indian globetrotters, Bender spotlighted Switzerland, along with London, France, and Italy, as perennial favorites for Indian travelers with a penchant for train journeys.
Rail Europe’s triumph in India is further accentuated by collaborations with over 200 rail providers, offering an extensive array of products, including the iconic Swiss Travel Pass and Eurail Passes. The company collaborates seamlessly with rail juggernauts like SNCF, SBB, Eurostar, Trenitalia, Italo, DB, Renfe, ÖBB, SNCB, NS, OUIGO Spain, and National Rail.
As Rail Europe steers towards the future, it stands ready to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of Indian travel tastes, foreseeing sustained growth and cementing its status as a powerhouse in the global rail-ticketing arena. All aboard for a thrilling journey with Rail Europe!
