Shopping and eating out are passe for travellers, they now want to indulge in live experiences, says a survey
Setting aside the fact that you will not be considered a local if you’re just visiting a country for the first time, you can still engage in activities to blend in with the crowd and get a real sense of what their life is like.
A memorable experience is a significant aspect for travellers as they often opt for a personalised and unique travel experience. Apart from settling in for comfortable accommodations and scrumptious fare, they strive to find new ways of making the most out of a holiday.
Sightseeing, shopping and trying out local delicacies are not the only points in the checklist of travellers’ itineraries these days, as an increasing proportion of people want to dive into live activities during vacations, finds a survey.
About 57 per cent of a survey respondents want to spend extra money on different kinds of experiences during their holidays, as 63 per cent millennials, 62 per cent Gen X, 63 per cent of the Baby Boomers prefer such activities, says a survey by online travel agency Expedia.
The survey, conducted among 1,250 Indians in the 18-65 age bracket, compares travel preferences and behaviour of consumers across multiple generations — Gen Z (18-21 years), Millennials (22-30), Gen X (31-45) and Baby Boomers (46-65).
Within leisure, 74 per cent of Gen Z prefer connecting with near and dear ones, 81 per cent of the Millennials want to spend time with the loved ones, 78 per cent of the Gen X and 80 per cent of the Boomers would also like to do the same.
When it comes to adventure and exploring, 76 per cent of the Gen Z, 81 per cent of the Millennials, 69 of the per cent Gen X and 66 per cent of the Boomers are all for it.
However, unique experiences and living like a local is also catching up with Gen Z (62 per cent), Millennials (71 per cent), Gen X (20 per cent) and Boomers (66 per cent) preferring it.
The survey also reveals that while overall 36 per cent Indians travelled alone last year, 71 per cent of them were millennials. Boomers and Gen X split their travel time evenly between travelling with others and alone.
Social media plays a major influence while deciding upon destinations and experiences for Gen Z and Millennial with about 66 per cent of them posting a potential travel trip on social media to get the opinion of their friends and family before booking a trip.
According to the results, saving for travel is a top priority for people, especially for the millennials, and the lowest chance of the Gen Z holding on their purse-strings.
Overall 83 per cent respondents save money for travel with 69 per cent Gen Z, 91 per cent Millennials, 80 per cent Gen X and 75 per cent Boomers doing the same.
Interestingly, the survey reveals that 70 per cent Boomers, 74 per cent of Gen X and 81 per cent of the Millennials are willing to spend half or more than Rs 1,000,000 on leisure travel, while 77 per cent of Gen Z would allocate half or less for the same.