India offers new prospects

As a destination, India is known for its crowds, especially at popular tourist places flocked by both international and domestic visitors. But, to cater to the new-normal traveller, a country as vast as India must have alternatives, isn’t it? This is what experts say…

Jatinder S Taneja, Vice Chairman, PATA India Chapter
Given how the COVID-19 pandemic has created new demands from travel, the current travel trend is focused more on health, safety, hygiene and social distancing. Keeping these things in mind, the best-suited destinations for travellers at present would be less-crowded places like beaches, wildlife sanctuaries and secluded areas in destinations like Kerala and hill stations of India. In principle, tours close to nature and based on sustainability values and wellness should do well in the coming months.

EM Najeeb, Senior VP, IATO
Destinations we prefer are the ones that are open, including Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Goa and Kerala. Everyone, from tour operators and hotels to tourist transport operators, has put in place safety SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) because of COVID, hence, I don’t think there is much risk if protocols are maintained and safety standards are implemented. Many other places are also open, but with restrictions. I believe that all facilities should be open there, including spa and the swimming pool.

PP Khanna, President, ADTOI
Hotels towards Rajasthan, before Jaipur, in cities and towns like Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Pushkar are being preferred. Since people do not trust public transport, they are taking their own vehicles. While they are looking at travelling, they are not going to Mussoorie and Shimla, but prefer small places like Kasauli that offer small resorts and hotels with only 10-12 rooms. People also prefer Jim Corbett and resorts there, which offer separate villas and cottages.

Homa Mistry, CEO, Trail Blazer Tours
There is going to be a good demand for wellness tours where FITs come. Hence, wellness is going to sell well. There are some very good resorts that are good for wellness and we will definitely be pushing for good itineraries at these destinations, because they are out of the main cities and are good value for money. Another segment we will sell is jungles, because the infrastructure in jungles is very good. Our focus will be on FITs and small groups.

K Pandian, Founder & Chairman, Cholan Tours
In the last three weeks, domestic tours have started. People are coming from Kolkata and Delhi for 5-6 days.People are travelling to Karnataka as well as Kerala. Regular destinations like Munnar and Periyar are already getting footfalls. Rural tourism is picking up and people are avoiding big cities like Kochi, preferring Alleppey, Munnar and Kumarakom. Same is the case with Hyderabad, Chennai and Bengaluru, where people are landing but going to nearby destinations.

Ravi Gosain, MD, Erco Travels
There are two perspectives—domestic and inbound. For domestic, it’s a different scenario for holidays because people will go for shorter vacations and I am sure they will look for places which are not very crowded and are remote. I think, players who are in the domestic market should promote such places and properties. For inbound, they will not use larger properties, and instead opt for smaller guest houses, homestays or boutique properties.

Deepak Bhatnagar, MD, Aamantaran Travels
It’s right that people are looking for non-crowded places. However, with the size of our population and most of the tourist attractions located from the inbound perspective, this would be challenging. However, I would say that cities like Khajuraho, Mahabalipuram, Hampi and some of the cities in Rajasthan would be ideal. We must make completely different packages showcasing our rural and ethnic side.

Inputs by Nisha Verma