Holding a Masters degree from the London School of Economics & Political Science, Rakshit was associated with Thomas Cook and Roland Berger Strategy Consultants prior to joining FCM in 2014.

The Indian tourism industry has had quite an eventful year. Travel companies have grown, and a lot of innovative offerings were introduced in the Indian market. The Indian tourism sector is projected to grow at 6.7 percent year-on-year, reaching Rs.35 trillion and contributing 9.6 percent to the GDP by 2029. Infrastructural development and stronger connectivity has enabled more Indians to achieve a higher standard of living. Add to this, the digital revolution, and we have a whole new notion of an ideal holiday.

While multiple factors come into play for a trend to catch-on, today’s traveller primarily looks for travel inspirations in magazines, movies, celebrities, social media, online blogs and vlogs. This year is said to be all about taking multiple breaks, offline detoxing and doing what’s good for the planet. With travel is taking a more prominent position in one’s annual schedule & budget, here are six travel trends that we feel will rejig the tourism sector in 2020.

1. Responsible Travel: With more people travelling than ever before, there is a lot of concern over how one should travel. Responsible travel is not just a trend, it is a long term practise that prompts travellers to be more sensitive towards a destination’s culture and environment. In addition, the present global climate crisis has resulted in sustainability becoming a crucial aspect in the decision making of individuals and corporates. Indians have gradually started to incorporate carbon neutral habits, with an increasing number of consumers looking for trips that are sustainable in some way. They are doing more to balance-out the negatives of their travel logistics with more deliberate positive actions. The younger generation has shifted their perspective on climate change from being a fringe issue to one that is an active factor in their travel plans. Indian travel providers need to gear up for more consumers demanding ecofriendly and carbon neutral travel alternatives and ensure that they have a wide range to choose from. The Central government’s move to develop Chambal as an ecotourism destination in Madhya Pradesh indicates the government’s effort in the direction too.

2. Slow Travel: The fast paced hustle which is a regular part of people’s lives today and the consequent need to fully recharge on vacation has given rise to a new kind of travel goal Slow Travel. The concept is to book lazy holidays with not too many activities crowding the itinerary and truly taking a break from things. The idea is to relax and laze around when your mind is telling you to and explore as & when you want to instead of rushing to do all the ‘must-do’ activities at a destination. Inbound tourists to India recognise it as a great destination for slow travel. Most travellers coming to India are seeking an overall health and wellness restoration, along with a culturally enriching experience. In 2020, more Indians will join foreigners in seeking temporary nirvana from their busy schedules with Slow Travel.

Since last minute bookings are more difficult to manage, travel companies need to become more sensitive to the needs of eleventh-hour travellers and be prepared to pull-up plans for customers who turn-up at the last minute

3. Spontaneous Travel Plans: One of the most commonly shared travel tips is to book your vacations well in advance, but it seems like the trend for spontaneous bookings is on the rise. The online space is flooded with travellers asking for the best last-minute travel deals on websites, travel aggregators and tour operators. As travellers get comfortable in taking multiple short trips over extended weekends, the rise in the number of quick last-minute bookings has surged in the past year and will continue to do so in 2020 as well. Some travellers also find a kick of excitement in not knowing their travel plans until the very last moment. Mobile searches for ‘tonight’ and ‘today’ in the travel context have increased, showing that a growing number of travellers are embarking on impulse trips. Since last minute bookings are more difficult to manage, travel companies need to become more sensitive to the needs of eleventh hour travellers and be prepared to pull up plans for customers who turn-up at the last minute.

4. Second City Travel: A two-in-one solution to solving both over tourism and having a more authentic experience is the concept of Second City Travel. The idea is to skip main cities at a destination and visit less crowded cities instead. This helps cities deal with the struggles of over tourism and also helps travellers immerse in the culture deeply. Destinations that are not traditionally seen as tourist hotspots like Odisha have seen a recent growth in tourism, as more people are looking to explore areas apart from popular destinations. Additionally, this trend is also beneficial to those looking to travel on a budget, as accommodation and living cost in second cities are usually cheaper.

5. Celebratory & Multigenerational Travel: Another trend that is likely to catch-on will be to take family holidays to celebrate special days. Whether it is a 30th birthday party in Thailand or a 3rd anniversary in Greece, people want to celebrate significant personal days vacationing with their friends, family, or even just solo, magnifying the overall experience. Similarly, families are also using opportunities like anniversaries and birthdays to plan vacations with extended family members on multigenerational trips and spend quality time together. This trend will also contribute in an increase in international group tours and customised family itineraries.

The year 2020 will definitely be the year for Indian travellers to step out of their comfort zones and turn towards alternate forms of vacationing. Subsequently for travel companies, this presents an opportunity to introduce new avenues and develop themselves to suit the needs of the ever evolving traveller.