If you’ve travelled internationally, you know that one of the biggest challenges is related to money. According to the article recently published by Business Today, tourism in India is projected to contribute around $250 billion to the country’s Gross Domestic Product or GDP. As India’s tourism sector grows at an exponential pace, it becomes important to evaluate the kind of experience tourists are offered, especially in terms of ease of financial access. Recently, CheqUPI, the first UPI platform in the country for foreign nationals, carried out a survey which assessed how UPI influences their travel experiences. Here’s what it revealed.
Survey Conducted On 800 Foreign Tourists
The survey was based on the responses from a total of 800 foreign tourists. Out of the responses, around 25 per cent of the respondents said that they were vulnerable to various scams. These include overcharging, credit/debit card fraud and even fake bills. This issue, as per the Business Today article, can be minimised by a robust platform that prioritises users’ privacy.
Around 45 per cent said that the necessity of having an Indian phone number is an impediment to a smoother travel experience. The necessity arises from OTP verification done for any payment made for bookings.
Around 70 per cent of respondents, a majority of them, also stated that language barriers can also pose a huge problem when it comes to bargaining or simply communicating when discussing pricing. However, the UPI wallet helps in avoiding such issues.
Also Read: Bengaluru Man Says 99% Mumbai Auto & Cab Drivers Don’t Accept UPI; Netizens Ask Him To Prove It
UPI Influences Travel Experience Of 80 Per Cent Foreigners
The study also found that around 75 per cent of foreign travellers who were surveyed felt that cash dependency was a huge hurdle to a smoother experience. Especially because for them, finding an ATM in many rural areas that accepts foreign cards can be very cumbersome, as per 85 per cent of them.
Changes in currency exchange rates were also a hurdle for around 80 per cent of the people on whom the survey was conducted. All of these issues are minimised, if not eliminated, via UPI wallets. Hence, around 80 per cent of the surveyed foreign travellers felt that it significantly influenced their travel experience in the country.
Also Read: Zomato UPI Is Launching Soon, Here’s How To Activate It & All You Need To Know About It
What finance-related issues do you face when travelling abroad? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Credits: Canva Images (Representational)