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Forbes
21-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Network Effect And How Trade Shows Help Businesses Achieve Sustainable Growth
Sanjay Ghare is a technologist and founder of Vervotech, a SaaS-based accommodation data provider. He also founded Techspian. The network effect occurs when the value of a product or service increases as more people use it. As per a study by James Currier, a four-time CEO and Silicon Valley VC, network effects alone have contributed to about 70% of all value (in USD) created by technology firms since 1994. If I were to oversimplify it, network effects are one of the most critical levers of value creation in today's digital world. The phenomenon works and helps other industries, such as travel, media and communications. As someone who works at the intersection of travel and technology, I have seen how trade shows have become a unique amplifier of the network effect, and it's very democratic. Businesses of all sizes and segments benefit from it. I will attempt to argue why this is the case in this article, as well as cite some examples from my industry that support this line of thought. To put it simply, networks are interconnected systems of people or things. Networks are an integral part of our lives, and around you, everywhere, from your internet fiber and highways to social media, it's the internet of human brains. Network effects emerge when the value of a business or product grows with each additional user or increased usage. For instance, when another customer joins, they enhance the experience for existing customers. To illustrate it further, consider a marketplace like Amazon: It has more value if it has 1 million sellers as opposed to 10,000 sellers; the end users will have more options, and sellers will have more customers. Trade shows, per se, are living examples of network effects. A trade show is essentially a temporary network or community: It brings together exhibitors, buyers, industry experts, thought leaders and media under one roof. The value of a trade show to any one participant increases as more participants join. Each additional exhibitor means attendees have more to see and learn; each additional attendee or buyer is a new potential customer or partner for exhibitors. This mutual gain encourages even more people to participate, creating a virtuous cycle like an online but face-to-face platform. For example, at the Consumer Electronics Show, major technology companies showcase their offerings while connecting with potential partners and investors. A budding startup might meet a significant electronics manufacturer interested in integrating technology into existing products. In my industry, events like the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai and the World Travel Market in London use network effects to fuel the travel industry's growth. WTM, for example, promotes the expansion of the global travel industry with events across multiple continents. Nearly 50,000 travel professionals, government officials and journalists attend WTM London each year, resulting in over £3.71 billion in travel industry contracts being signed during the event. The connections formed at trade shows form a unique quartet or loop that drives sustainable growth for businesses. • More Eyeballs: Businesses gain new contacts at every event they attend and strengthen existing relationships. • Increased Participation: As networks grow in size and value, more businesses look to participate in future trade shows. • Market Leadership: Companies that consistently use trade shows to position themselves are able to market themselves as industry leaders. • Sustained Growth: The net effect of all these interactions translates into long-term business growth. Businesses can use the incredible proposition of the network effect, which works for everyone individually and as part of a larger, interconnected ecosystem. It's not a game where only the big fish win. Trade shows, in particular, are one of the rare arenas where the playing field is level. Here, a small startup with a bold idea can stand alongside industry leaders, share its vision, build relations and create value for their businesses that might otherwise take years to develop. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
Indian Express
13-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
As Goa sees an uptick in tourists, govt has some reasons why
Goa saw an increase of more than 10% in tourist arrivals in the first three months of 2025 compared to the first quarter of last year, according to the estimates by the state tourism department. A tourism department statement on Monday said Goa witnessed 10.5% year-on-year growth in tourist arrivals for January to March 2025, registering a footfall of 28.51 lakh visitors, compared to 25.8 lakh visitors from January to March 2024. Tourism department officials attributed the increase in tourist footfall to several strategies, including 'strengthening promotion in core and emerging markets, expanding international air connectivity and diversifying tourism offerings'. An official said strategic aviation partnerships have helped. 'Air India Express, which already had direct connectivity to Dubai, now connects Goa directly to Kuwait and Abu Dhabi. This was supported by sustained engagements with Gulf carriers and efforts to tap into transit markets in Middle Eastern aviation hubs,' the official said. Officials said the state has entered new markets through targeted campaigns and presence at travel and tourism events, including World Travel Market (WTM) in London, ITB Asia in Singapore, the Tashkent International Tourism Fair, and the recent Arabian Travel Market 2025 in Dubai. 'The initiative aligns with Goa's strategy to target high-value travellers and cultural ambassadors globally,' the department said. It said that under the 'Goa beyond beaches' initiative, the state continues to reposition itself as offering varying experiences to tourists, including the Ekadasha Teertha spiritual circuit, wellness retreats, hinterland adventures and regenerative village experiences. Cultural events such as Deep Parv, the Raponkaracho seafood festival, Chikhal Kalo, Sao Joao festival, Festavista, Spirit of Goa Festival and Heritage Festival have further strengthened local engagement while attracting experiential tourism beyond the coastline. 'These appeal especially to conscious travellers, global nomads and off-season domestic tourists with monsoon travel packages gaining traction in Middle Eastern markets,' the department said. While April typically sees a dip in tourist footfall post-Easter, May traditionally performs better due to school holidays and domestic leisure travel, officials said. 'However, current regional uncertainties have cast some unpredictability over forward demand. In response, the department has convened meetings with representatives from hospitality, transport, travel services and alternate accommodations to review May-July booking patterns and collaboratively identify steps to mitigate any potential slowdown. With initiatives such as the Homestay Policy, support for women-led tourism enterprises and enhanced inclusion of village-based tourism in the visitor economy, Goa is ensuring that tourism benefits are widely distributed,' the department said. In January, the Goa Tourism Board proposed several measures to bolster the state's tourism sector, including setting up a single-window clearance system for weddings, bringing a policy to promote Goa as a 'destination wedding' hub, regulation of taxi fares at airports and railway stations, and global campaigns to counter misinformation and promoting cultural tourism. According to data compiled by the state government, a total of 1.04 crore tourists visited Goa in 2024, higher than in 2023, when 86.28 lakh tourists visited the state. A record 99.41 lakh domestic tourists visited Goa in 2024 compared to 81.75 lakh tourists in 2023, while the number of foreign tourists rose from 4.52 lakh in 2023 to 4.67 lakh in 2024. In November last year, the state faced flak after some viral posts on social media claimed that tourism in the state is 'down in the dumps'. The posts had triggered a barrage of criticism of the state's tourism infrastructure, with many claiming that travellers were increasingly ditching Goa for Thailand, Vietnam or Sri Lanka, which have eased visa norms. In response, the government had insisted that 'tourism is not a zero-sum game' and blamed social media influencers for running a campaign to defame the state.
CairoScene
22-04-2025
- Business
- CairoScene
You Can Now Explore Oman on Your Layover With Oman Air's New Programme
Now available via Oman Air and Visit Oman, these customisable layovers range from four hours to four days. Oman Air, in collaboration with Visit Oman, has introduced a new Stopover Programme inviting international travellers to explore Oman during transit through Muscat International Airport. Designed for flexibility, the initiative offers travel packages that range from short four-hour layovers to extended four-day stays. Travellers can book the stopover through a dedicated platform on Oman Air's website, with packages that include hotel accommodation across three-, four-, and five-star categories, guided tours, and private transport. Notable experiences available through the programme include city tours of Muscat, visits to the Grand Mosque and Mutrah Souq, excursions to the Hajar Mountains and Wahiba Sands, and wellness retreats at coastal or mountain resorts. The initiative also features curated itineraries, multilingual support, and dedicated customer service for smooth booking and travel. Launched at the 2024 World Travel Market in London, the programme marks Oman's first national digital stopover solution, promoting the Sultanate as a culturally rich, less-commercialised alternative within the region.
Trade Arabia
21-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
Oman Air, Visit Oman promote stopover bookings in Oman
Oman Air and Visit Oman have launched a joint Stopover programme, offering travellers an opportunity to explore Oman's diverse attractions. The first phase of the programme, announced at the World Travel Market in London 2024, is now live on Guests can book their global travel journey through Muscat International Airport and pause to discover Oman with a wide choice of customisable packages, accommodation at 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels, as well as transport, tours, and experiences. The programme also provides dedicated customer service support. -TradeArabia News Service
Zawya
21-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Oman Air, Visit Oman promote stopover bookings in Oman
Oman Air and Visit Oman have launched a joint Stopover programme, offering travellers an opportunity to explore Oman's diverse attractions. The first phase of the programme, announced at the World Travel Market in London 2024, is now live on Guests can book their global travel journey through Muscat International Airport and pause to discover Oman with a wide choice of customisable packages, accommodation at 3-, 4-, and 5-star hotels, as well as transport, tours, and experiences. The programme also provides dedicated customer service support. Copyright 2024 Al Hilal Publishing and Marketing Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
