The survey covered consumers of India’s top eight metros, mini-metros like Pune and key Tier II and III markets of Jaipur, Indore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Nagpur, Surat, Baroda, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mysore, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Patna, etc. The companies have released key findings in their Third Holiday Readiness Report (June 2021).
The data analysis has revealed valuable insights on travel behaviour and customer expectations:
- Strong Travel Desire/Intent: A significant 69 pc respondents indicated keen interest to travel in 2021 post ease in restrictions – with 18 pc ready to travel immediately post unlock and 51 pc within 3-6 months
- Financial Safety: 81 pc respondents reiterated their need for refundable/zero cancellation products
- Physical/Personal Safety: 70 pc respondents rank health & safety as a key consideration
- Re-sanitisation of rooms: was selected by 52 pc respondents as a key requirement
- Fully vaccinated hotel staff, drivers was a need highlighted by 48 pc and 34 pc respondents, respectively
- Willingness to increase spends basis health & safety: 66 pc respondents are willing to increase spends to ensure higher levels of health & safety on their holiday
- Demand for both domestic (54 pc) and International (46 pc) destinations
- International: Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand, Europe, etc.
- India: Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal, Andamans, Goa, Kerala, etc. (Destinations selected basis announcements of unlock/easing of travel restrictions)
- Duration of Stay: 35 pc respondents chose holidays between 3-5 days; 52 pc for 6-12 days; 13 pc for a holiday of over 12 days
- Travel Companions: 62 pc respondents prefer to travel with family/friends; 20 pc as couples/solo;18 pc in a vaccinated group
- ∙Need for human touch/ expertise: 77 pc respondents continued to express a strong preference for interaction with an expert for guidance/ reassurance – 27 pc opting to purchase holidays through retail outlets; 17 pc for home service; 33 pc preferred a contactless experience of a virtual store/video chat
- 23 pc opted for bookings via website/app
“Indian consumers continue to display strong travel desire with a noteworthy 69 pc keen to travel in 2021. Equally important are consumer concerns on health-safety (70 pc), uncertainty (19 pc) and need for refundable/zero cancellation products (81 pc). To address this and boost customer confidence, we have launched TravShield – our commitment to personal safety, financial safety, and mental safety,” said Rajeev Kale, president & country head – holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited.
“We are very encouraged with the strong pent up travel demand (69 pc) revealed via our survey and given that uncertainty is a key concern, our Holiday First and Pay When You Return is an unbeatable offer – with a minimal token deposit of INR 5000 paid pre-holiday and the balance post-holiday. The offer is invaluable as SOTC pays for all the charges/fees till 15 days from the return,” commented Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel.
