How Indians behave, scrimp, spend when travelling

We all behave a certain way when we are travelling while on holiday – each of us have our own quirks. Some may be quite chatty and some may like a drink or two while on a long flight, others may replace items in a mini bar to avoid paying.

An Expedia survey finds out how Indians behave during travel. The survey, which reached out to 18,229 respondents across 23 countries, found that 59 percent Indians do not mind talking to strangers in a flight, 40 percent would pay for an upgrade at the gate or check-in counter, and 24 percent take items from the hotel room or housekeeping cart (i.e., shampoo, lotions, and so on). Here are more such findings from the survey.

Flight etiquette

• 29% prefer big chain hotels to vacation rentals (22%) and boutique hotels (15%).
• 62% check in online, compared with 21% at the airport and 18% on a mobile device.
• 59% Indians engage people they don’t know in conversation during a flight
• 34% drink more than two alcoholic beverages during air travel (at airport and on board).
• 40% pay to upgrade their seat at gate/check-in counter.

Hotel etiquette

• 37% Book a flight first and then a hotel, while 36% book both simultaneously
• 24% Indians take items from hotel room or housekeeping cart.
• 20% have tipped concierge for a room upgrade
• 18% Used minibar items and replaced them to avoid paying additional charges.

The survey was conducted on behalf of Expedia across North America, Europe, South America and Asia Pacific among 18,229 respondents in 23 countries.