Thomas Cook India's research highlights that Indians are quintessential workaholics and such extended weekends offer a welcome break to relax and rejuvenate, bond with their loved ones or indulge in their interests while exploring a new destination.
Thomas Cook Indiareveals that instead of the conventional single annual vacation, Indian consumers have made a shift to shorter and more frequent trips within India and international (and this is in addition to a long annual family holiday). While 2016 saw public holidays falling on Sundays, 2017 offers travellers strong opportunity- a choice of 14 long/extended weekends that offers the promise of weekend getaways – to tick off their travel bucket list without taking time off work.
Thomas Cook India’s research highlights that Indians are quintessential workaholics and such extended weekends offer a welcome break to relax and rejuvenate, bond with their loved ones or indulge in their interests while exploring a new destination.
Thomas Cook India has observed significant trends of explorers embarking on short journeys during long weekends, here are some of them:
- The smart Indian traveller is leveraging the opportunity that multiple public (state or central, religious) holidays bring by clubbing them together with weekends for a well deserved 3-4 day mini-holiday
- Short haul international destinations are growing in popularity given easy access with flight time under 5 hours. Increased connectivity-penetration, attractive airfares/discounts, and entry of Low Cost Carriers have added impetus to the long weekend growth story
- Thomas Cook India’s data reveals strong uptake for destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Bali, Mauritius and Maldives as well as a growing trend for ‘Domestic Getaways’ exploring the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh, adrenalin infused white water rafting and outdoor adventure in Uttarakhand, Kerala for Ayurveda or a backwater experience on a houseboat, Mysore , Ooty, Goa
- Visa-on-arrival destinations offer scope for India’s last minute travellers, sans the stress of processing visas e.g: Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Reunion Islands
- Destinations like Singapore smartly offer long term multi entry visas of 2 years, and this gives value conscious Indians the ability to maximize the visa cost with repeat trips to Singapore
- With airlines launching fresh new destinations, Indians now have a great range of new options to choose from (Air Arabia to Baku, Georgia and Garuda to Jakarta; equally new attractions and sightseeing options like Dubai Parks & Resorts – with a Bollywood themed park) adding further allure to weekend/long weekend travel
- New emerging destinations for long/extended weekends that are now emerging – Greece, Philippines, Sharjah, , Ras Al Khaimah, Macau, Jordan, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kenya, Cambodia-Vietnam-Laos
- Our data indicates: 45% of our customers prefer domestic holidays while 55% prefer international short haul destinations
- Most Indian travellers tend to book weekend international holidays at least 30days in advance. Last minute bookers (less than 20 days prior) account for 30% of the company’s travellers. A 50:50 split was observed for domestic travel
- Observed a surge in weekend bookings: of over 35% (international) and 50% (domestic) as compared to last year (2016 vs. 2017)
- Maximum number of travellers during long weekends has been observed from Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai. In addition: Pune and Hyderabad are growing strongly.
- Increased demand seen in 2017 from mini metros and Tier 2 has gone up by 25%. Enhanced airline network-connectivity and online services from Regional India is fuelling more demand
Preferred destinations from each of these cities:
- Bengaluru: Thailand, Singapore, Bali, Dubai
- Delhi: Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Maldives
- Mumbai: Dubai(due DSF), Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong-Macau, Bali
- 35% overall growth in online bookings YTD vs. 2016
- Thomas Cook India reveals that tourism within the borders has grown exponentially with a growth of over 35-40% in the last year alone. Short haul destinations are tremendous value for money and with great deals available for the consumer in the market and easy to book packages, people are making the most of the opportunities available to them to explore new locales and engage in new experiences e.g. Azerbaijan and Georgia kite surfing in the Philippines, Whale watching in the Reunion Islands/Sri Lanka
- Some of the top destinations preferred by travellers include packages to Mysore-Ooty, Mahabalipuram-Pondicherry, Coorg-Ooty, Port Blair-Havelock and God’s own Country – Kerala.
- Travellers are also showing interest in travelling to locations like Odisha, attracting a growing number of tourists (about 10-15%) favouring places like Puri, Konark and Chilika for a delightful weekend getaway
TCIL data- Why are Indians travelling during weekends:
- Break from Work/Relaxation: 35%
- Bonding time: 50%
- Great opportunity to visit new locations 10%
Not surprisingly Thomas Cook India’s data indicates highest uptake from the family segment 55%, followed closely by young professionals/ad hoc groups of friends 40%.
Spa & Wellness packages are seeing growing demand – a clear indication that long weekends are being used by India’s work weary warriors to de-stress, relax, rejuvenate—recharge their batteries.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
