Majority of Indian planning international trips in 2023, ready to spend more money and time on travel: Survey

After witnessing not-so-exciting years, because of the Covid-19 pandemic-induced lockdown, the travel industry is ready to make a revival. While there is a surge in demand among travellers, a recent study found that the majority of Indians want to go on an international trip in 2023. The study also said that people are not just ready to increase their travel budget but also the duration of the trip in the coming year.

Given the surge in demand towards travelling, the report reveals that around 48 per cent of Indians will be allocating an increased budget for their travel in the coming year and 37 per cent will be increasing the duration of the trip, to embark on extraordinary adventures and make the most of every opportunity.

With a considerable increase in demand for international travel, while planning their domestic travel, 44 per cent of Indians will allocate an increased budget for travel post-pandemic, 31 per cent will take more domestic trips in 2023-24, and 30 per cent will increase the trip duration.

The study, conducted by Acko in association with YouGov, surveyed 1,000 respondents across seven major Indian cities between the ages of 24 and 45 and identified key patterns of travel consideration among Indians. 

The report found that approximately 71 per cent of respondents are ready to spend Rs 1 - 6 lakh on their international trips, while domestic travellers would like to spend up to Rs 1 lakh.

Apart from the destinations and budget, the report highlights a significant shift in the behaviour of travellers. Now in every aspect of planning a trip, cleanliness is of utmost importance followed by flexibility and convenience. The respondents also wish to avoid being in crowded spaces.

What do Indians consider while planning a trip?

While planning a trip, the most crucial consideration is the comfort of the journey throughout the trip, where 50 per cent of the respondents agreed that the convenience of the travel is paramount, followed by lower ticket prices, flexible ticket booking, and the cleanliness of the flight, train, or bus they are boarding.

Cleanliness of accommodation also ranks highest for the respondents when choosing accommodation, followed by convenience, safety, and accessibility of the accommodation location. Convenience also topped the list of considerations for the respondent while choosing local activities, with cleanliness at a close second.

Do Indians understand travel insurance?

According to the report, 67 per cent of respondents said that travel insurance is mandatory while planning their trip while 62 per cent of the respondents know that travel insurance provides medical and accident coverage, which is also their top priority while considering a policy. 49 per cent are aware of the lost baggage cover, followed by trip emergency coverage, missed or delayed flight cover, and trip flexibility cover.

When asked about their preferences while choosing an insurance policy, 48 per cent said they prefer comprehensive travel insurance policies. However, 39 per cent have also expressed interest in a more flexible and customizable travel insurance policy tailored to their needs. Only 13 per cent said they don’t want to take out a travel insurance policy.

45 per cent of respondents revealed that they use online portals to do their research and buy a policy eventually, while 43 per cent said they consult their travel agents before making the decision. Only 12 per cent seek advice from their family and friends while buying a policy.

Offline Vs Online

Most Indians use a combination of online and offline sources to plan their trip, for instance, 45 per cent of respondents use online and offline information to choose local transport to travel to their destination. 44% rely on both information streams when deciding on the accommodation, and 43 per cent decide how to reach the goal based on their research.

Where Do They Want To Go?

The respondents also gave their preferred international destinations, with Dubai ranking first, followed by the Maldives, Singapore, Switzerland, and Bali. Goa ranked first among the preferred domestic travel destinations, followed by Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, Uttarakhand, and Rajasthan.

Interestingly, 1 in 3 respondents strongly expressed interest in adventurous holidays. Some want to travel to a destination with a scenic appeal, like the sea or a mountain. Other reasons to go on a holiday are for a shopping spree, to try new cuisines, or to experience a theme park.

36 per cent of Indians want to go on their trip with their friends, 35 per cent with their spouse or partner, and only 14 per cent want to take a solo trip. Few (4 per cent) also like to travel with their pets.