More than 50 per cent Indians want to travel solo in 2017

NEW DELHI: A First Time Travel campaign by Booking.com has revealed that more than half of Indians plan to travel solo for the first time in 2017.

The research, which surveyed over 15,000 people from 20 countries worldwide including India, highlighted that travelling to new places and opening your mind to different, novel experiences inspires life enriching changes.

Indians generally started travelling when they’re a bit older – only 24% had taken their first trip by the age of 10. About half (49%) had their first trip between ages 18 and 34.

Predominantly, travellers started travelling with a trip within India, with 84% saying that their first-time travel experience was domestic and 16% saying the first time they travelled was international.

Family trips were the most common for domestic (44%) and international (22%) first-time travel.


The most popular domestic travel destinations were Delhi (19%), Mumbai (13%), Bengaluru (12%) and New Delhi (12%), while the most popular international travel
destinations were all in Australia: Sydney (7%), Adelaide (5%), Brisbane (4%), and Melbourne (4%).

Among the 42% who have been on a solo trip, their first one was a road trip (22%), and among the 76% of those who have been on a family trip, their first one was a cultural trip (18%).

Their first solo trip made them feel excited (23%), as did their first trip with a partner (40%), and their first family trip made them feel happy (45%). Their first business trip, however, made them feel nervous (27%).

Safety concerns (27%), risk of illness (23%) and language barrier (21%) caused the most anxiety when travelling for the first time. However, 74% agreed that while travelling for the first time can be scary, it’s worth it to see a new place.

Positive online recommendations (20%) and securing accommodation ahead of arrival (20%) help make travellers feel comfortable about visiting a new place.

Having new experiences (45%), the food (32%), encountering new people (27%), and the journey itself (27%) were the most exciting parts of travelling for the first time.

First-time travel experiences can also inspire people when they get home from the trip – 64% say that these experiences have inspired them to visit other new places; 57% were inspired to meet new kinds of people; 50% were inspired to cook and eat new kinds of food; and 49% were inspired to try a new type of travel experience/accommodation.

Indians found Australia, the USA, Thailand, and the UK to be the most exciting countries.

Overall, local food (26%), local culture (52%), and scenery (49%) contribute most to making a country exciting.

Their favourite things about travelling to a new place for the first time include trying the local foods (53%), taking in local culture (40%), and being in a new climate (38%).