TripAdvisor announces India travel trends forecast for 2012

- Survey reveals over 50% people will not curb their leisure travel and 44% plan to spend more on holidays in 2012, despite inflation

Travellers planning at least one international holiday are up 20% compared to 2011

TripAdvisor®, the world's largest travel site, today announced the results of the first edition of its India Travel Trends Survey for 2012. Despite the current economic climate, 44% anticipate they will spend more on leisure travel next year, while 45% expect to spend the same amount as they did in 2011.

TOP 5 TRAVEL  DESTINATIONS: FORECAST FOR 2012

Domestic ·         Goa ·          Kerala ·         Srinagar ·         Ooty ·         Andaman/ Shimla/ Ladakh International ·         United Kingdom ·         Thailand ·         Singapore ·         USA ·         China

Nikhil Ganju, Country Manager, TripAdvisor India elaborates, “Nothing seems to dampen the traveller’s spirit in the coming year, be it increasing fuel charges or an incorrigible inflation. With 53% looking to travel more next year and an increase of 20% in travellers planning to undertake at least one international holiday, these are positive mood indicators for 2012, at least from the long term perspective of Indian travellers.”

He further stated, “Though beaches & hills remain ageless favourites amongst Indians, adventure holidays and activities see more traction, revealing an experimental outlook for holidays next year.”

TRAVEL SPENDS FORECAST - Vacation Doesn’t Fear Inflation

46 % respondents spent more than a lac of rupees on their holidays this year & only 8% respondents said they cancelled a leisure trip in 2011 owing to the high inflationary trend.

2012 looks similarly resilient to inflation as:

o   65% respondents indicated they will not cut back on their leisure travel in 2012  even if the  inflationary upward trend continues

o   89% plan to spend same or more as 2011 on their travel budget in 2012

o   A majority of 40% claim the increase in fuel prices will not impact their road trips in 2012

TRAVEL VOLUME FORECAST - Bitten by the Travel Bug

59% respondents took at least 3 domestic leisure trips this year and 64% took at least 1 international holiday.

The outlook for 2012 seems even more promising for travel with;

o   53% claiming they will travel more in the coming year

o   20% more travellers planning to take an international holiday in 2012  as compared to 2011

HOLIDAY CHOICES FORECAST - Of Beach Bums & Hill Habitués      

·         Predictably, beaches followed by hills are top holiday choices for 2012.

·         ‘Pilgrimage/Religious’ , ‘Wedding/family function’ & ‘Wildlife sanctuary/safari’ are all tied for 3^rd place as the type of trips travellers have planned in 2012, making us both daring and god –fearing .

·         72% travellers plan to experience some kind of adventure activity or sport on their holiday in 2012.  Preferences for the thrill seekers are:

Camping in the wild	28%
Scuba Diving	20%
Hiking	18%
White water rafting/Kayaking	17%
Mountaineering	17%
Hot air ballooning	16%
Parasailing	15%
Sky diving	15%
Snorkelling	14%
Bungee Jumping	14%
Skiing	11%
Paragliding/Hang gliding	11%
Fishing	10%

GREEN VOYAGING

·         56 % respondents said they intend to be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in 2012.

·         Some ways in which travellers plan to placate environmental concerns on holiday are:

Avoid littering surroundings	65%
Reduce laundry usage	55%
Choose eco-friendly accommodation	42%
Reduce carbon footprint	40%

MORE TRAVEL BITES

·         Laptops remain the favourite gadget companion to get travel related information on the go for 2012. Surprisingly, despite being the newer and more recent entrant, iPads/tablets follow next, with a slight edge over older and familiar Blackberry in third place.

·         79% travellers said they will make a conscious effort to stay less connected to their work while on vacation in 2012.

·         53% respondents believe that 2012 is a good year to visit the big tourist European economies like Italy, Greece and Spain as it will be cheaper to travel there, owing to the current debt crisis.

·         However, there seem to be few takers for a trip to London with only 8% respondents claiming they will travel this summer for the London 2012 Olympics.

·         74% respondents said they will opt for travel insurance in 2012, out of which 58% will purchase it only for international travel.