TravTalk India Online Magazine
Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel have jointly released a survey report that measures customer perceptions and preferences for holiday travel post the COVID-19 pandemic. They surveyed over 2,500 consumers across India’s metros and Tier-I & II cities
Travel is set to rebound – Indians will continue to travel
The survey reveals that 14% respondents were likely to travel in 2020
once restrictions were lifted. While 45% respondents plan to defer
their holiday to 2021, 41% are undecided. The festive seasons were
preferred in 2020 – either November (29%) or December (50%).
Domestic tourism is set to take centre stage
A domestic holiday was the first choice of 64% respondents. Destinations
selected were Ladakh (20%), Goa (17%), North East (15%), Kerala (11%); Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir followed closely; Bhutan (17%) in the Indian subcontinent. Destinations at a driveable distance were also preferred, including Coorg, Ooty, Mussoorie, Shimla, Amritsar, Munnar, etc.
Shift in holiday spending patterns:
Value-centric & pocket-friendly holidays The survey reveals that 67% of respondents stated that they would spend less than `1 lakh per person on their next holiday, while 11% said that they would spend up to `2 lakh per person.
Key travel drivers
As many as 72% of the respondents preferred reputed brands across their
journey – including tour operators, hotel chains, etc. Health & Safety ranks as the primary concern for 75% respondents; with 35% willing to increase their spend to ensure the same. Also, 40% wish to opt for online channels (website/App) when booking their next holiday.
Size of group
Respondents displayed a noticeable preference towards travelling in
smaller groups, primarily due to health/hygiene. The report shows that 63% respondents were inclined to travel solo, with their immediate/ extended family or friends/colleagues; 25% respondents preferred to travel in small groups of below 20 co-travellers and 12% opted for a group size of approximately 35+.
Booking channels
Consumers continued to express interest in a personal touch/reassurance
to their travel booking experience, with 58% opting to purchase holidays through retail outlets or home service (38% retail and 20% home visits).
Living with COVID-19
Many of us have been talking of life beyond a lockdown as ‘post-COVID-19’, when in fact there will be a long period living with it before we can usher in a post-COVID world. Preparing to live with this pandemic is our industry’s best hope. How does that translate into the world of travel? The best way forward is to take one step at a time as we continue to learn more about this virus every day.This means we are bound to witness a gradual but definite behavioural change – among tour operators,airlines, airport, hotels and most of all, among travellers. A journey starts from taking a flight / surface transport. Airlines and airport the world over are already putting in place health measures as we speak. For travellers though, this would mean planning their entire trip much in advance, which could be a difficult proposition for many Indian travellers. Passengers will also need to reach
airports much ahead of time to clear safety checks. Expect longer travel time both before and after reaching the destination.
Biosecurity a challenge
TThe 9/11 attacks brought into focus a greater need for physical security at airports and hotels. This pandemic will similarly bring to fore an urgent
need for biosecurity and health safety, which unfortunately is harder to track and trace. Like airports and airlines, we see hotels stepping up to the challenge the best they can. Safety measures are being put into place and all staff is being hastily trained. This also means that costs are being rejigged with more budgets channelled into upping sanitation and hygiene standards. Such additional costs are also putting a huge strain on the already exerted hotel and airline companies. Will these be passed on to the consumer is something we need to wait and watch? This regrettably also means that we may see some airlines and hotels crumble or hopefully consolidate. But like the proverbial learning curve, each day brings with it a new understanding
for us and as we go along and understand this virus better, we are a step closer to toppling it. In the end, what does not kill us will only make us stronger.
