The Indian travel and hospitality space is at a very exciting stage post Covid. With international travel being curved during Covid-19, the focus has shifted to domestic travel and India being a country with varied natural beauties, people are travelling across the length and breadth to explore new experiences and enjoy newer or lesser known destinations. The occupancy rate of the hospitality industry is expected to see a jump of 68-70 % in 2023. According to a study by Noesis, India’s leading hotel consultant and hospitality investment advisor, India’s travel market grew at 11% to 11.5% and reached $48 billion in 2020 and the growth trajectory is still very promising.
The trends they are a-changin
“The restriction on international travel in the early post Covid days have shifted the focus on domestic travel, and Indians are travelling within the country like never before. Another factor that has given the much needed impetus to domestic travel is the work-from-home culture. While many companies have moved back to regular offices and hybrid mode, many are still allowing work-from-home. This has led people to work from anywhere, be it the mountains of Uttarakhand or the beaches of Gokarna. The digital nomads are eager to explore the unexplored and this has given a boost to experiential tourism, where travel is more about amazing experiences and less so about the destination. They want to taste the local flavours, soak in the local experiences and be one with the destination they are visiting,” says Jasmeet Kochhar, Executive Director, Avalon Resorts Pvt Ltd.
Luxury trends out to woo the modern-day traveller
The paradigm shift from destination to experiences has brought homestays in prominence. This is primarily because homestays focus more on giving their guests unique experiences with a tinge of local flavours. The Noesis study further projects that the travel needs of consumers are increasing and there is an urgent need to add 2.5 million rooms in the homestay segment. “Homestays today have evolved tremendously and are offering the most out-of-the box experiences to travellers. From stay options in igloos to glamping, luxury domes to floating huts, the offerings are luxurious and innovative. All these luxury innovations offer travellers the much needed pampering. When modern-day lives have become more stressful, these luxury homestays are perfect for unwinding. Among the many new offerings, glamping, igloos and domes are the trendsetters where luxury has seamlessly been assimilated with nature’s beauty. Glamping are super luxury camps which allow guests to stay closest to nature, soak in the best sights and yet enjoy all the modern-day facilities. Often they come with hi-speed Internet connection which allows guests to stay connected with their work even while they are enjoying their best vacations,” adds Kochhar.
Looking at the recent trends, it will not be wrong to say that the millennials and the discerning travellers are choosing homestays over hotels, and especially so when they are visiting mountains and the beaches. They are choosing the warmth and local vibes that these homestays offer. And now the luxury that comes with homestays make them completely irresistible.
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