The online travel company, Booking.com, has released the 2023 edition of its APAC Travel Confidence Index (TCI), shedding light on the mindset of travellers in the Asia-Pacific region and the impact of economic and global uncertainties on their travel decisions.
Among the 11 APAC markets surveyed, India stood out as the country with the second most confident travellers, trailing closely behind Hong Kong. China, Singapore, and Taiwan also rank among the top five.
Despite facing complex global challenges such as inflation, geopolitical instability, climate change, and supply chain disruptions, the research reveals a remarkable trend which shows 86 per cent of Indian travellers remain optimistic about their future travel plans, with 61 per cent having no intention of postponing their trips in the next 12 months.
Additionally, more than half (59 per cent) of these travelers plan to maintain or increase the number of trips they take and 68 per cent intend to increase their travel expenditure budget for the upcoming year.
Indian travellers exhibit distinct behaviors when it comes to travel. Over half (57 per cent) prefer to have a planned itinerary and make pre-bookings for accommodations, activities, and dining, indicating a desire for structured experiences and the assurance of securing desired services in advance. While they are open to exploring different cuisines, a significant number (60 per cent) consider it crucial to have access to Indian food when making travel plans.
Moreover, Indian travellers show a stronger inclination to explore their own country (43 per cent) and foster meaningful connections during their journeys (33 per cent). In terms of domestic destinations, a majority (71 per cent) express a desire to travel to North India, while 60 per cent lean toward destinations in South India.
West India, North East India, and Central India also garner interest from respondents, according to Booking.com.
The cities of Istanbul and Nevsehir have been the most frequented, attracting Indian tourists with their remarkable landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Turkiye has emerged as the preferred destination for Indian travellers seeking FIT and MICE segments, leading to a considerable upsurge in visits this year. Last year, the destination welcomed 2,32,000 visitors from India.
As per the report, the primary motivation for travel among APAC travellers is to seek relaxation, rejuvenation, and an escape from the monotony of daily life. For Indian travellers, alongside the desire for a relaxing vacation (57 per cent), other motivators include the thirst for knowledge about their destinations (34 per cent) and the opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture (26 per cent).While the desire to travel remains strong, there are also travel concerns among Indian and APAC travellers.
Taking time away from work is seen as a challenge by 39 per cent of Indian travelers, while 34 per cent have financial concerns. Additionally, 32 per cent of Indian travellers wishing to travel abroad express concerns about complicated, expensive, and time-consuming visa processes. Environmental issues also emerge as significant concerns, reflecting the growing awareness and consciousness towards sustainable travel practices.
To save on travel costs, 39 per cent of respondents stated that they are inclined to plan trips around travel discounts and deals, 38 per cent would opt for off-peak season travel, and 36 per cent would take advantage of staying with friends or family.
When it comes to preferred travel experiences, Indian travellers exhibit a strong inclination towards nature and scenic locations (67 per cent), followed by beaches (63 per cent) and food and dining (57 per cent). Other activities of interest include visiting tourist attractions and landmarks (56 per cent), experiencing local culture and lifestyle (55 per cent), and shopping (52 per cent).
In comparison to Indians, APAC travellers prioritise food, followed by nature, tourist attractions and beaches.
“The survey clearly demonstrated that despite the ongoing global and economic hurdles, there is a prevailing sense of positivity and enthusiasm among travellers. A significant 84 per cent of respondents are actively planning their next trip within the upcoming 12 months,” said Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com.
“Along with the high travel confidence that places India among the top three countries, Indian travellers are also most keen to prioritise sustainable travel. Our Travel Confidence Index 2023 shows that despite certain macroeconomic headwinds and fewer Covid-19 restrictions, APAC travellers’ spirit of adventure and desire to make lifelong travel memories remain unwavering and robust. We are confident that the travel sector will continue to thrive in the years to come with this zest and enthusiasm for travelling among people,” Kumar added.
