Staycations, bleisure to rule hospitality sector in 2020, small towns likely to see surge in tourism
The young generation is looking for quality experiences that are essentially wallet-friendly.
By ET CONTRIBUTORS | Updated:
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With infrastructural development, the rise of spiritual tourism and the increased use of the internet across Tier II and III cities, many of these destinations have emerged as less-explored hidden gems.
By Gaurav Ajmera
India is a land of diverse landscapes and distinct cultures, drawing a keen interest from the world. However, domestic as well as international tourism have not been significant contributors to the economy. Even though the country is a young player, in the past couple of decades, it has put itself on the world map as a tourist hotspot, offering vast and diverse landscapes, abundant cultural heritage, business opportunities owing to hundreds of startups cropping up each day and the availability of cost-effective, quality education.
An amalgamation of these factors have put India on the fast-track to becoming the world’s most sought after tourist destinations. Given this exploding potential in the country, the hospitality industry is witnessing rapid growth, fuelled by technological innovations and adoption of world-class industry standards. Across the spectrum, we see the travel and tourism ecosystem offering quality products and services, backed by technology at good value for money; right from low-cost airlines, budget hotels at the click of a button, a wide array of unique local businesses and easy access to pocket-friendly first-and-last-mile transport services. Such changes have empowered people from all walks of life to now fulfill their travel aspirations.
The hospitality sector has particularly evolved and been the main driving force behind the growth of the tourism economy.
Here’s how consumer travel trends will shape the hospitality industry in 2020.
Smaller cities will witness a spurt in tourism
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With infrastructural development, the rise of spiritual tourism and the increased use of the internet across Tier II and III cities, many of these destinations have emerged as less-explored hidden gems, piquing interest among domestic and international tourist communities. Given the huge unearth opportunity in discovering these destinations, we expect 2020 to be the year of local, off-beat locations. To give you a quick example, OYO’s Summer Index 2019 revealed that families, couples as well as solo travellers preferred to explore unique locations spread across India’s diverse landscapes, like Kufri, Bir Billing and Spiti valley.
Another factor that’s causing this trend to peak charts in 2020 is the use of social media. Yes, social media is changing the way millennials travel, influencing the places they choose, the airlines and hotel stays they opt for and the experiences they chase. Posting their travels on social platforms is one of the main reasons, millennials look for unique, undiscovered hotspots.
Rise of staycations In the past couple of years, we’ve observed that working millennials are looking to escape city life in search of tranquility or a break from the monotonous way of life. But owing to the increasing time-crunch experienced by urban consumers, spontaneous staycations in the city itself are becoming popular among millennials looking for a quick-fix. For instance, every long weekend, we observe a rise in bookings within a given city by consumers from the city-limits itself. Convenience and cost-efficiency are two other determinants driving this modern trend among urban India’s metropolitan cities. Spontaneous staycations are becoming popular among millennials looking for a quick-fix.
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Bleisure travel With the advent of the millennial workforce, strengthened by the lack of sufficient recreational time, ‘Bleisure’ travel is booming in India. This year, Bleisure travelling was at an all-time high and will continue to be popular in 2020. In a time-short world that we live in, the conquest for better work-life balance is growing stronger among Indians. Most new-age corporate travellers will continue to make the most of their work trips by exploring culture, food and local attractions by extending their business trip.
This year, Bleisure travelling was at an all-time high and will continue to be popular in 2020.
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Value for money drives millennial choices Millennials prioritise travel as their number one aspiration and are spending more on experiences like food, adventure, etc. In India, we’ve observed that this young generation is on the lookout for quality experiences that are essentially wallet-friendly. In fact, our internal stats revealed consumer preference for the budget category of hotels, in comparison to other offerings.
‘Budget for Leisure’ is a category that’s primarily budding due to the changing socio-cultural factors, like the emergence of the nuclear family, independently living students and working professionals, access to a plethora of quality experiences at varied price points on the world wide web, giving consumers the power of choice, unlike earlier times.
Tech-enabled and tech-reliant travellers Today, we see travellers go cashless as millennials prefer pre-payments. The FinTech industry is booming, which is subsequently setting the tone for pre-payments to facilitate cashless transactions and avoid the hassles that come with physical cash. Pre-payments are popularizing mainly because of the availability of discounts, cashbacks, access to loyalty programs that help build long term engagement with customers who are paying online.
According to a report by Bain & Company, nearly 35% of Indians will book their travels online by 2021. We expect the vast majority of holiday seekers to book their travel and stay online. Furthermore, with access to information and quick discovery on the go, the tourism industry has been revolutionised for generations to come.
Furthermore, with the Indian Government’s push to endorse tourism as well as our Honorable Prime Minister’s plea to citizens to explore Incredible India, we are set to be one of the world’s largest tourism economies, driving changes and transforming the industry for the better.
* The author is the Chief Operating Officer at OYO Hotels & Homes, India & South Asia.
From Jodhpur To San Juan, Here Are Top 10 Travel Destinations You Ought To Visit In 2020
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All the travel junkies out there, if there is one listicle you must focus on, it’s this one. With 2019 travel goals (hopefully) met, it’s time to start planning for the 2020 holidays. Booking.com has delved into global booking trends to reveal 10 of the top emerging travel destinations for 2020.
Jodhpur from India has found its spot among the top 10 list, alongside some lesser known spots in Eastern Europe to under-the-radar spots in Asia. Commenting on the study, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives for Booking.com said, “As we proceed towards a new decade, we will see travel becoming more and more sustainable and technologically-advanced, further aided by enhanced services and offerings that enable the modern day inquisitive traveller to experience the world.
81% of Indian travellers say that in 2020 they want to go somewhere that offers experiences they’ve never had before. From catering to their peaked interest in lesser known destinations to counter over-tourism, to customised travel recommendations, we want to ensure that the travellers have the most diverse selection of places to stay at as we help them prepare and plan their travel in 2020 and beyond.”
Here’s where you should be headed to satiate the wanderbug in you.
All the travel junkies out there, if there is one listicle you must focus on, it’s this one. With 2019 travel goals (hopefully) met, it’s time to start planning for the 2020 holidays. Booking.com h..
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For travellers looking to take a cultural beach trip in 2020, Il Gzira is located on the north eastern coast of Malta and lies in direct view of the walled city of Valletta. This stunning seaside destination takes its name from the Maltese word for “island” and with the city’s sweeping Marsamxett harbor overlooking Manoel Island, it’s not hard to see why.
Fort Manoel, which was built in 1726 on Manoel Island adjacent to the town itself, makes a great day trip for travellers to learn more about the town’s history and the island’s past as a hospital quarantine. After exploring, travellers can enjoy local cuisine with incredible views as they relax at one of the many restaurants overlooking the harbor.
For travellers looking to take a cultural beach trip in 2020, Il Gzira is located on the north eastern coast of Malta and lies in direct view of the walled city of Valletta. This stunning seaside des..
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Thanks to its breath-taking scenery, Ninh Binh is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land” as the dense greenery of the landscape surrounding the city emerges from land rather than water. Quieter than its nearby namesake, Ninh Binh offers travellers a scenic escape just a few hours away from bustling Hanoi.
Outside the city itself, Ninh Binh province is a medley of mountains, rivers, caves, rice fields and pagodas. Taking a boat tour in this picturesque natural area may look like something from a movie, especially given its starring role on the big screen in the past.
Thanks to its breath-taking scenery, Ninh Binh is often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land” as the dense greenery of the landscape surrounding the city emerges from land rather than water. Quiet..
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Bright colonial architecture with colorful and unique landscapes nearby, Salta is located in the heart of the Argentine Andes and is a great ‘best of both worlds’ destination for the one- in-five (19%) of global travellers who want to visit Argentina in 2020.
Whether taking in the colorful cityscape with a visit to 9 de Julio Plaza, a lush public square in the heart of the city, San Francisco Church, a historic church and monastery that dates back to the 1600s or exploring the nearby colorful landscape of The Hill of Seven Colors and Salinas Grandes (salt flats), a trip to this beautiful part of the world will leave a colorful impression.
Bright colonial architecture with colorful and unique landscapes nearby, Salta is located in the heart of the Argentine Andes and is a great ‘best of both worlds’ destination for the one- in-five (19..
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The second largest city in South Korea’s Jeju Island, Seogwipo, is a bustling coastal city surrounded by natural wonders of the volcanic coastline. Ideal for active travellers, Seogwipo’s clear blue waters will prove popular with scuba-diving enthusiasts, while nearby Mount Hallasan is a great option for those looking to lace up their boots and take a hike.
Seogwipo is also the perfect base to visit the nearby waterfalls - Cheonjiyeon Falls and Jeongbang. To refuel after a day of adventuring, the Seogwipo Olle Market offers tastes of the region with various street food and fresh produce stalls, while downtown Seogwipo is home to many traditional Korean restaurants and BBQ spots.
The second largest city in South Korea’s Jeju Island, Seogwipo, is a bustling coastal city surrounded by natural wonders of the volcanic coastline. Ideal for active travellers, Seogwipo’s clear blue ..
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The stunning city of Jodhpur is known as one of the most colorful cities in the world, with thousands of blue houses transforming the urban landscape into a sea of ocean-colored buildings.
Aside from its vibrant setting, Jodhpur is home to the Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace and the Mandore Gardens, ideal for culture vultures interested in architecture and museums. Foodies and shopaholics will also love exploring the winding medieval streets of Jodhpur and sampling authentic Indian food and spices at one of the many bazaars.
The stunning city of Jodhpur is known as one of the most colorful cities in the world, with thousands of blue houses transforming the urban landscape into a sea of ocean-colored buildings. Aside from..
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Located in northwest Poland, Swinoujscie is a beautiful port town on the Baltic Sea that’s a perfect destination for water lovers. Travellers can immerse themselves in the town’s history and visit the Museum of Sea Fishery, which features model vessels and astonishing sea creatures, before continuing the sea theme and taking a walk to the 19th Century Lighthouse for panoramic scenery of the harbor from the observation deck.
Adrenaline junkies can dive into even more aquatic experiences, spending the day doing water sports on Swinoujscie Beach, one of the widest beaches in Poland.
Located in northwest Poland, Swinoujscie is a beautiful port town on the Baltic Sea that’s a perfect destination for water lovers. Travellers can immerse themselves in the town’s history and visit th..
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Takamatsu, also known as Udon Kingdom and the Gateway of Shikoku, is a port town that’s the perfect vacation for travellers interested in vibrant food scenes and scenic backdrops. Once you have finished feasting on noodles, a must-visit is the picturesque Ritsurin Park.
The park is a Japanese national treasure and is home to many tea houses where travellers can experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony; plus the Engetsu-kyo (moon crossing) bridge and iconic lotus ponds.
Takamatsu, also known as Udon Kingdom and the Gateway of Shikoku, is a port town that’s the perfect vacation for travellers interested in vibrant food scenes and scenic backdrops. Once you have finis..
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Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan is an extraordinary Caribbean destination boasting vibrant culture and architecture. Walk the cobbled streets of Old San Juan to see the colorful Spanish colonial buildings; explore Fortaleza Street, also known as umbrella street and discover roads full of lush greenery surrounding the houses nearby.
The flora isn’t the only picture opportunity for travellers, with a thriving art scene, San Juan’s streets are adorned with street art while more architecturally-minded travellers can enjoy El Morro, Castillo de San Cristobal and Paseo de la Princesa. A trip to San Juan will also aid in Puerto Rico’s recovery efforts following the effects of Hurricane Maria back in 2017.
Puerto Rico’s capital San Juan is an extraordinary Caribbean destination boasting vibrant culture and architecture. Walk the cobbled streets of Old San Juan to see the colorful Spanish colonial build..
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Travellers looking to go off-grid with their 2020 travels should head for the mountains in Zabljak, a small town in northern Montenegro and at the center of the Durmitor mountain region. Whether traveling in winter for an adrenaline-packed trip on the snowy slopes or during the warmer months to experience thrilling water sports on the lakes and rivers and hiking trails nearby, this destination appeals all year round.
The must-see list includes Durmitor National Park, Black Lake and the Djurdjevica Tara Bridge, a concrete bridge that was once the biggest concrete arch bridge for vehicles in Europe.
Travellers looking to go off-grid with their 2020 travels should head for the mountains in Zabljak, a small town in northern Montenegro and at the center of the Durmitor mountain region. Whether trav..
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this column are that of the writer. The facts and opinions expressed here do not reflect the views of www.economictimes.com.)
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