TravTalk India Online Magazine
Technology can help travel designers make offbeat art experiences mainstream by offering travellers a virtual one, which can be as creative and emotive as the real one, believes Kartik Gaggar, CEO & Founder, Rajasthan Studio – a platform dedicated to curating extraordinary art workshops with master artists from Rajasthan.
In the past decade, there has been a huge shift in how people perceive tourism. The massive transformation in travel behaviour of the people has led travel companies to reimagine destinations, itineraries and their marketing strategies. But, has it been enough? While there are a few newbies in the market around the world who are catering to the distinctive needs of the offbeat traveller, Indian travel service providers are yet to catch up on the trend and make the necessary changes.
As per recent data, more than 67 per cent of travellers are looking for outdoor activities, skill-enhancing, creative cultural experiences, and other emotive experiences than engaging in sightseeing excursions. Travellers are very clearly stating their needs. But, are service providers listening? India is home to diverse cultures, extraordinary landscaping, and a bountiful heritage thanks to the multitude of religions, languages and traditions that it embraces. Travel companies, unfortunately, for years, have been placing all their bets and energies in showcasing just one or two aspects of the country, completely ignoring the most important one that makes it unique: the culture and the local experiences that make up the very fabric of India.
It is time the travel and tourism service providers wake up to the cultural bounty of their country and make their itineraries truly enriching by including creative and emotive experiences that give them a sense of local connection, artistic indulgence and most importantly, soul-replenishment. They can easily offer this even amidst the pandemic through online art learning workshops with native skilled artisans – something we at Rajasthan Studio have been offering since the last few months.
Connecting traveller to art experiences
The online mode is a refreshing way to connect the traveller and art enthusiasts with authentic art experiences. Year 2020 has been a year of disruption in every sense. Travel came to a complete halt, but the travel cravings couldn’t be contained. Seeing this as an opportunity, many niche platforms around the world came up with virtual travel experiences.
Imagine connecting with people from across the world to learn and experience an art form of a destination! Wouldn’t it be a great way, a new way of navigating through a new city, connecting with new people, indulging in fulfilling experiences? This is one aspect that the travel organisations can really start digging into further and leverage something valuable and meaningful for the industry, the travellers and the artists around the world.
It could truly become the next ‘in’ thing in the travel industry, changing the entire scope of experiential travel. Think about it!
