For 50% of Indian travelers, travel influencers are a key source of inspiration for deciding their next destination, a report by travel technology company Amadeus has revealed. This figure is nearly double that of the U.S., and significantly higher than other countries such as the UK, Germany, and France, Amadeus said.
The report noted that the channels driving travel have shifted, with social media ads and travel influencers rising the most in influence over the last five years. Meanwhile, legacy promotion channels such as newspapers, in-person travel agents, and TV ads have been witnessing a fluctuation in importance.
Earlier this year, online travel company Agoda had also said that Instagram has become the biggest source of travel inspiration for Indian Gen Z travelers. Beyond social media, digital platforms such as Google searches, travel blogs or vlogs, and travel apps are the go-to for the travelers in this generation. These sources are replacing recommendations from friends and family, Agoda had noted.
In its report, Amadeus also found these trends:
- Hotel guests in India are willing to pay extra for more features. Amadeus noted that on an average, Indian travelers are willing to pay 16% above the standard average daily rate to get the view they want. “The research shows these features could add around 12% to the average daily rate (ADR) charged by the hotel,” it said.
- Leisure travelers are looking for personalization. It noted that half of the travelers said that a personalized service and welcome is at the top of the list of their ideal hotel experience, and for this, 52% of the guests also said they would be willing to share personal data in return for tailored deals.
- Business travelers want technology for efficiency, as 30% of the Indian travelers are interested in an online check-in process in advance with keyless access to their room.
- Travelers also want to embrace virtual reality and artificial intelligence. “Among Indian travelers, 85% would like access to virtual reality to explore a destination ahead of their visit. Half of all travelers said they would now turn to AI to tell them about the best places for dinner at their destination,” it said.
Taj-Parent IHCL Unveils Boutique Luxury Hotels Collection
Taj’s parent company Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) has unveiled Claridges Collection, a set of boutique luxury hotels. The collection aims to target leisure experiential travelers who look for historical or heritage stays.
“With India’s growing economic prominence, the income pyramid is witnessing a structural shift and the demand for luxury products and services is at an all-time high led by significant expansion of households in the high-net-worth bracket. This presents a market opportunity to extend hospitality offerings in the luxury segment as consumers are seeking differentiated experiences,” said IHCL CEO Puneet Chhatwal.
The first property under the Claridges Collection portfolio is The Claridges, New Delhi. The portfolio will also include the Taj-branded property in Connemera, Chennai as well as IHCL SeleQtions-branded Blue Diamond, Pune after it has been renovated.
According to Chhatwal, the properties under this collection will be located “at the heart of key gateway cities across the world.” The collection will build its portfolio across India’s metro cities and key leisure destinations. By 2030, IHCL is planning to expand this collection to over 20 properties, the company said in a statement.
Akasa Air Launches Priority Service
Low-cost airline Akasa Air has launched “Akasa Priority” for travelers looking for quicker airport journeys. The service will be available for domestic and international services.
Akasa Priority is a bundled service that will allow travelers to access priority check-in, priority boarding, and priority bag collection. The feature has been listed as an add-on service, Akasa said in a statement.
Budget carriers IndiGo and Air India Express also offer similar add-ons.
Like its competitors, Akasa is increasing its services in line with Indian travelers’ growing preference for premium experiences. At the Skift India Forum in March this year, IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers explained the airline’s business class foray, saying that while India is a price sensitive country, the preferences are changing. “We need to embrace the changes taking place and enrich the portfolio building on the foundation we have, and we are doing that with our new product.”
Cygnett Signs Cozzet Property in Vrindavan
Cygnett Hotels & Resorts has signed Cozzet Vrindavan in Uttar Pradesh. The 50-key property will strengthen the company’s footprint in the mid-segment hospitality market, it said in a statement.
With this hotel, the chain aims to attract religious travelers visiting Vrindavan, along with tourists and business travelers. In an earlier feature, Skift spoke about how religious tourism is spanning generations. “Young travellers aged 20-25 made up 26% of total bus bookings to Prayagraj for Mahakumbh, surpassing older age groups,” Ixigo Group CEO Aloke Bajpai told Skift.
With young travelers and an emerging middle class set to drive India’s travel boom, religious tourism is expected to be a key driver for travel.
Tourism Can Be Largest Contributor to India’s GDP, Says Minister
The tourism sector alone can emerge as the largest contributor to India’s GDP, according to Indian tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat. Speaking at a tourism conference last week, Singh urged industry players to continue expanding the sector, which will be India’s growth engine, he said. He also spoke about the challenge that climate change is posing to tourism, adding that it requires immediate intervention.
Tourism ministry’s additional secretary Suman Billa also said that India is aspiring to be the third-largest country in the world in terms of tourism sector by 2047. However, India’s tourism is facing key challenges, especially in terms of inbound tourism.
At the Skift India Forum, Dipak Deva, managing director and CEO of Travel Corporation India spoke about the urgent need for a well-funded social media campaign that focuses on sustainability and immersive experiences. While India’s global marketing budget has been slashed, the ministry of tourism is looking to harness data and technology to market India, said Mugdha Sinha, India’s director general of tourism.
IHG Signs Crowne Plaza Resort in Jim Corbett
IHG Hotels and Resorts has signed a new property in Uttarakhand’s Jim Corbett. The 181-key Crowne Plaza-branded resort is scheduled to open in 2027 and will mark the debut of the brand in Jim Corbett.
The move is due to Jim Corbett’s position as a key wildlife getaway and emergence as a destination for MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and Exhibitions) events. Last week, Marriott opened Jim Corbett Marriott Resort & Spa. In the 2023-24 financial year, 335,000 Indian tourists and 9,000 foreign travelers visited the national park.