It is rightly said that when we miss something too much, the love for it intensifies. No wonder, the fondness for travelling and holidays become stronger among people under home arrest, during the prolonged lockdown. It isn’t just us stating this, even the statistics are confirming the same. American Express conducted a survey in mid-January 2021, covering 1,000 Indians with an annual household income of ₹14,47,940 ( USD 20,000). It was a seven-nation survey and the company found out that Indians are the ones who are most interested in future travel. According to the data, 84 percent of Indian respondents to the survey daydream about travelling at least once a week.

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91 Percent Of Travellers Aim To Pick Experiences That Support The Local Community

Do you start feeling restless and gloomy out of nowhere and then feel relieved after watching reels and posts of mountains and seas? You’re one of the daydreamers then bit by the travel bug. The survey conducted by American Express not only states that 84 percent of Indian respondents are travel daydreamers, it has also revealed that 91 percent of respondents have taken interest in picking up trips and experience that support the local economy. The COVID-19 pandemic had been a major blow to the tourism and hospitality sector. And these travellers aim to assist in the revival of the industry.

Goa Emerges As Top Travel Destination For Holiday Festivals

According to Booking.com, Goa has emerged as the top domestic destination booked by Indian travellers from March 27, 2021 to April 4, 2021 to celebrate Holi and Easter. New Delhi and Jaipur are also among the top three most booked destinations for Holi. The guesthouses and homestays are also full for the Holi and Easter holidays. While 2020 was a difficult year for travel, the tourism sector is slowly crippling back to normalcy. According to Booking.com, there is a heightened desire to utilise long weekends across the country.

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People are gradually regaining their confidence in travelling. Chairman and MD of Thomas Cook India Limited, Mr. Madhavan Menon has told Curly Tales, “People today are less fearful and far more cautious.” He added that after the pandemic, the focus on domestic tourism has increased. People are now willing to travel within India and discover local gems. We spoke to Mr. Menon on the current travel booking trends and the new normal for travel: