The Future Indian Traveller

Heena Munshaw - Mumbai

From antiquity to date man has travelled. It began with the search of food or shelter. With the advent of commerce it was in search of new things to trade and barter. Explorers, discoverer's, missionaries all left their homelands to go out into the world to meet their destinies. Progress makes the world constantly smaller. Journeys that took years at one time now can be undertaken in a day.

Not too long ago the whole world was attracted to the aroma of spices, the exotic spice isles of India were a land to be ruled. Today, the traffic is speedily rising to go out of India. Known or unknown places are part of the Indian traveller's itinerary.

The Indian traveller has evolved incredibly. The open skies policy and more and more international flights touching India will only mean that this is going to increase traffic out of one of the world's most highly populated nations. So world here we come…! We are the Indian jet set global travellers, dressed in our Tommy, Gucci and YSL, we travel the world, challenging the tourism industry in every country to meet our needs…

The Segmentation

The Group Traveller: There will always be a first time traveller out of India. Nervous on their first trip out of India, this type needs hand-holding throughout their trip. Everything should be well-laid out, signed, sealed and delivered before they leave home shores on escorted group tours. The escorted group tour takes care of their special dietary requirements and culture comfort, in an affordable package. The packaged tour will have a market out of India and continue to grow as more airlines touch regional metros.

The Individual Traveller: There is a sudden rise of this, the most challenging segment. Involving up to ten times more work for the inbound agent in any country (for tailor-made holidays) and retailing agent in India. Having had a taste of travelling abroad, these travellers are getting more adventurous and are ready to try different things.

The Individual Traveller can be further broken down into the following groups:

Honeymooners: An Indian wedding is a mega event in not only the life of the couple but the peripheral family as well. It is a social event celebrating the melding of two families. As opposed to western weddings where the onus of expenses are on the couple itself, in India nine out of ten weddings and subsequent honeymoons are paid for by the in-laws. The budgets are generous (to be tactful). The duration is anywhere from ten to 30 plus days, and the destination had better be exotic! Experimentation is rife and indulgence is the order of the day. Honeymooners will choose to do their own things. It can be a spa holiday or a self-drive holiday, or even a wild-life viewing experience with accommodation in bush lodges with private plunge pools! Even a helicopter flight with a picnic basket to surprise the bride is not far fetched! (It must be mentioned here that a segment of honeymooners still exists who will club in on a packaged tour)

Wine and Gourmet Tourism: This undoubtedly remains the most challenging segment to please for the world's tourism suppliers. While at its fledgling stage in India, it will however grow to be a world player. We might just be learning to drink wine, (do not be surprised if you ask a very well travelled successful professional to name three wines and he answers 'Red, White, and Rose') but we are a food-obsessed nation. Challenging for the world's chefs these travellers' dietary needs may be but the Indian traveller knows his good food. It is absolutely essential that interested countries educate the vineyards' chefs to understand the culinary tastes of the Indian wine aficionado as the wine consumption of this country is going to grow astronomically high.

Family Holidays: A very strong segment and growing speedily for any kind of holidays, be it a beach holiday, a wild life holiday in Africa, a hurried trip around Europe, a shopping holiday or a group of friends going mountain biking and white water rafting in New Zealand. They are even venturing on self-drive holidays with three families in four cars, driving down east coast of Australia. All of them speak English and drive on the same side of the road as India, thus navigating their way around is not a problem for an Indian family. The kids are net savvy and download maps and details from tourism websites. They may eat at Indian joints or at McDonald's but they will drink their own chai - the masala tea from India! And shop till they drop!

Eco-Tourism Holidays: Suddenly people are aware that one needs to breathe fresh air especially when you come from a city of 17 million people. They want their children, who grow up in concrete jungles to appreciate wilderness. Never mind, if they end up with a 'lung-shock' by breathing air so fresh! While a lot of Indian travellers are quite interested in happening cities around the world, they also like to include two nights in a place, which is quiet and allows children to learn about nature, animals and the environment. There is a strong reason for the future success of this segment, as this allows time for special family bonding, which is much required when in cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, Delhi and Bangalore people are racing against time, spending more time in commuting rather than with their families. The global business demands have increased stress levels, and India being the back office for the world, it requires its work brigade to accommodate odd timings and shifts. The choices vary from wildlife viewing to mountain climbing, white water rafting, and activities like nature walks or just staying in a quaint place and watching the world go by.

There are no complete statistics available but it is said 4.5 to 5 million travellers fly out of India, which includes the growing segment of leisure. We have not even scratched the surface of the potential that exists. The fact remains, be it Rome or London, Tasmania, or Tanzania, New York or Nadi, the world will have to learn to cater to the unique Indian traveller. A certain amount of commitment is required to service these high-yield passengers, as their needs are different to cultural and religious regions. Is anyone listening? Mass is turning into class but on their own terms!

(The author is managing director, Beacon Holidays Pvt Limited)