Only 2 In 10 Urban Indians Plan To Travel This Summer: Ipsos Survey

As the summer break approaches, Ipsos conducted the Ipsos IndiaBus Summer Holidays Survey to capture the travel plans and preferences of urban Indians. The survey revealed a significant trend: only 21 per cent of respondents plan to travel during the summer, while a striking 79 per cent have no travel plans at all.

Parijat Chakraborty, Group Service Line Leader at Ipsos India, offered insight into these findings. He explained, “Southern states of India have their summer break in mid-April and northern states in mid-May for schools, which is typically when families plan vacations. However, this year, the ongoing general elections, spanning seven phases from late April to 1 June, have likely disrupted many families' travel plans.” Chakraborty noted that extended weekends and festival holidays are increasingly used for travel, with year-end holidays from Christmas to New Year becoming a popular trend.

Despite the usual preference for hill stations during summer, this year’s intense heat and the high influx of tourists have led many to opt for staying indoors instead, Chakraborty added.

For those who are planning to travel, domestic destinations are overwhelmingly preferred. The survey found that 88 per cent of potential travellers are considering domestic trips, with only 12 per cent looking at international travel. The types of destinations urban Indians are interested in are diverse: 49 per cent are inclined towards religious places, 47 per cent towards mountains or hill stations, 39 per cent towards beaches, 25 per cent towards historical locations, 22 per cent towards nature parks and retreats and 8 per cent towards deserts.

When it comes to gathering information for their trips, 74 per cent of respondents rely on family and friends. The internet (42 per cent), social media (34 per cent), travel blogs/websites (33 per cent) and travel agents (13 per cent) are also significant sources of information. For funding their travels, the majority (86 per cent) use their savings, while others resort to credit cards (23 per cent), Leave Travel Allowance (21 per cent) and loans (13 per cent).

The motivations behind these travel plans are varied, with 60 per cent seeking to bond with family and friends, 49 per cent looking for fun family outings, 48 per cent interested in sightseeing, 47 per cent aiming for relaxation, 27 per cent wanting to shop and 25 per cent desiring adventure.

Chakraborty summarised the findings, saying, “Domestic travel is gaining popularity, with most citizens funding their holidays from their savings. They are predominantly looking at religious locations, mountains and beaches for their summer vacations, often guided by recommendations from family and friends.”