Travel-tech company, Pickyourtrail surveyed 2,500+ travelers from major Indian metros to analyze trends that will shape the travel environment in 2020 and 2021. As India enters #Unlock 3.0, about 52% of modern Indian travelers are optimistic about taking their first post-COVID holiday before December 2020. They are willing to choose direct flights and self-drive over connecting flights for safety reasons.
Pickyourtrail results: staycations emerge as a new trend
Travelers (across the age groups of 20-34 and 35-44) chose homestays (23%), boutique properties (21%), and premium hotel chains (44%) as their preferred accommodation. The Maldives has become the most popular choice among Indians to take their first post-COVID international vacation. Young travelers are also preferring more offbeat destinations such as the Northeast India which offers varied travel experiences.
About 22% of respondents are adopting the western travel trend of Staycations at premium properties, close to their homes before they resume domestic or international travel. The survey also shows that Indians are currently hesitant to book long-haul destinations and would rather choose Express Getaways closer home, such as Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Bali. The announcement of Dubai IPL 2020 has also created a positive sentiment among travelers.
Hari Ganapathy, Co-founder, Pickyourtrail, “The world, as we knew it, has been fundamentally changed by COVID19. What the world needs more than ever today is a holiday! Interestingly, the survey report reflects this positive travel sentiment as people are hopeful of taking their first post-COVID holiday in less than six months from now. While initially, more and more people will be vacationing closer home, Staycation has emerged as a key trend among urban travelers looking for a weekend break as the boundaries between personal and professional life are more blurred than ever. The Maldives has again topped the list as the most popular destination among young couples planning their honeymoon, followed by Express Getaways like Dubai, Sri Lanka, and Bali. It is also interesting to find that at least 70% of travelers are willing to spend more on enhanced on-trip safety.”
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