In 2020, travel has changed forever, so has the planet! Leisure destinations are now opening up once more and displaying indicators of enhanced uptick in terms of demand. The figuring out components connected to travel alternatives hinge on security, hygiene practices and social distancing, paving the way for new travel trends like pod travel, staycations, amongst other individuals.
Meanwhile, the country’s premium and leisure hotels are now upping their game in terms of rolling out contactless solutions which includes establishing digital butlers for enhanced guest expertise. A traveller’s initial dilemma is deciding exactly where to remain.
Speaking exclusively with The Spuzz Online’s Swapna Raghu Sanand, Sabina Chopra, Co-Founder and COO, Corporate Travel and Head Industry Relations, Yatra.com says, “Travel and tourism industry went through a major upheaval in 2020 with the entire sector coming to a standstill during the initial months. With the unlock phase, few touchpoints of travel are witnessing a pick-up in demand as more people step out of complete isolation.”
What are the leading 5 trends that are most likely to see an uptick for India’s domestic tourism subsequent year?
In 2021, we can count on significant concentrate on travel trends which can be explored domestically, till international operations open.
[READ: COVID-19 has given impetus to domestic travel: Harshit Vyas, OYO]
Some of the important trends anticipated to see a rise in queries are:
Sustainable tourism- Travelers now are extra conscious of the effect that their travel has on the atmosphere, and even on the neighborhood economy. The nicely-becoming of the neighborhood, corporations and folks will be of utmost significance exactly where financial, social, and environmental impacts will be taken into consideration though travelling.
Smaller groups and privacy- More travellers will opt to commit time with close and loved ones rather than massive groups of strangers. People will opt for private tours making certain that speak to with strangers is minimized, a trend that is going to continue more than the years.
VR/AR to Sell Travel Experiences- While virtual reality and augmented reality technologies has been about for a though, in 2021 the tourism sector appears to make the most of it. One can count on destinations and experiences to be sold via virtual reality tech like virtual walkthroughs of homes, hotels, transportation exactly where tech can give you a taste of the experiences.
Short Getaways- Travellers will continue to appear for quick getaways with road trips and will pay a visit to destinations that are at a drivable distance. They will be keen to discover a slower pace of life for holidays.
Thus, 2021 will be the year of wise travel.
Is there an enhanced demand for villas and premium cottages than for hotel rooms?
In today’s time, travellers are longing for an immersive expertise. They are seeking for vacation experiences that enable them to discover their individual interests. As they discover their interests and lengthy for a wholesome expertise, option vacation accommodations are becoming immensely well-known.
Travellers are seeking at exclusive cottages and villas for private stays to get away from the hustle bustle of the city. These premium properties deliver a secluded and isolated expertise particularly with their stringent requirements of security and sanitization processes in spot.
Travellers are opting for many packages with customized solutions and activities curated particularly according to preferences which deliver for a memorable expertise.
How do you view budgeted travel bargains and reasonably priced accommodation selecting up subsequent year or do you see extra and extra Indians opting for premium properties only?
With travel no longer becoming a luxury and so a lot info obtainable across platforms, buyers have grow to be extra conscious of what is attainable in their spending budget though preparing their trips.
Affordable travel selections with discounts and provides have usually been best for travellers but in these tough instances, security and sanitization have taken priority.
In terms of accommodation, we have noticed a surge in booking enquiries for many selections such as homestays, cottages, and premium and luxury hotel properties. In 2021 as nicely, we can count on these selections to continue to be the preference. Travellers now are prepared to shell out a tiny further money prioritizing their overall health and security.
What is your take on the existing trend of staycations and pod travel – do you see it sustaining itself via the subsequent year?
Domestic and neighborhood travel will be a well-known decision for quite a few who want to get away and steer clear of the hassle of travel restrictions. Subsequently, altering trends such as staycations and pod travel are right here to remain, and we will see the trend continuing in the coming year also.
Many hotels and boutique properties in India, are also now providing staycation packages that would enable folks to function from respective properties.
Since most of us continue to function from residence, travellers are opting for lovely locales for staycations to break away from their monotonous way of life.
Pod travel, wherein folks favor to travel in close groups will also continue to take precedence. Travellers are opting for travel with their households and close mates rather than venturing out in bigger groups.
Hills and beaches are selecting up in demand for staycation packages. These places supply a serene break from the otherwise hectic life.
Do you believe Indian travellers would threat traveling to areas far from residence in 2021?
Safety and hygiene are one particular of the important priorities though producing travel plans nowadays and buyers are anticipated to be cognizant of these components at each touchpoint in future as nicely.
While our planet and the way folks travel has been changed forever, we can hope that via accountable and sustainable practices, customer self-assurance will grow to be stronger and they will be extra keen on taking a trip far away from residence.
This customer self-assurance to curate a strategy, add ‘where to go’ to their list, choose up their bags, and head for an expertise, will take some time.
We are hoping to reignite this adore for travel via our campaigns such as #ResasonToTravel and #TravelManao.