Team News Riveting
Mumbai, June 24
Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel surveyed over 4000 customers across India’s Tier 1-3cities in a recent survey to identify emerging consumer behaviours and trends that will drive travel preferences in the COVID era.
The survey covered consumers of India’s top 8 metros, mini metros like Pune and key Tier 2/3markets of Jaipur, Indore, Tiruchirappalli, Madurai, Nagpur, Surat, Baroda, Bhubaneswar, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Mysore, Coimbatore, Visakhapatnam, Guwahati, Patna, etc. The companies have released key findings in their Third Holiday Readiness Report (June2021).
The data analysis has revealed valuable insights on travel behavior and customer expectations:
·Strong Travel Desire/Intent: A significant 69 per cent respondents indicated keen interest to travel in 2021 post ease in restrictions -with 18 per cent ready to travel immediately post unlock and 51 per cent within 3-6months.
·Financial Safety: 81 per cent respondents reiterated their need for refundable/zero cancellation products.
·Physical/Personal Safety: 70 per cent respondents rank Health and Safety as a key consideration. Re-sanitation of rooms: was selected by 52 per cent respondents as a key requirement. Fully vaccinated hotel staff, drivers was a need highlighted by 48 per cent and 34 per cent respondents, respectively
·Willingness to Increase Spends basis Health and Safety: 66 per cent respondents are willing to increase spends to ensure higher levels of health and safety on their holiday
·Demand for both Domestic (54 per cent) and International (46 per cent) destination so India: Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, Himachal, Andamans, Goa, Kerala, etc. International: Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Maldives, Mauritius, Thailand, Europe, etc. (Destinations selected basis announcements of unlock/easing of travel restrictions)
Rajeev Kale President and Country Head –Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited said, “Indian consumers continue to display strong travel desire with a noteworthy 69 per cent keen to travel in 2021. Equally important are consumer concerns on health-safety (70 per cent) uncertainty (19 per cent) and need for refundable/zero cancellation products (81 per cent). To address this and boost customer confidence, they have launched TravShield–our commitment to personal safety, financial safety and mental safety. Personal Safety includes vaccinated travellers on tour, vaccinated hotel staff/drivers and interactions with vaccinated travel advisors; sanitized rooms, restaurants and vehicles. Financial Safety covers free cancellations and re-scheduling. To ensure mental safety, our products are inbuilt with Covid Insurance and to ensure peace of mind we have our 24×7 Doctor-on-Call service for any emergency during travel -in partnership with Apollo Clinics.”
He added, “To give customers an exclusive advantage, our Holiday First and Pay When you Return is a unique offer –allowing them to enjoy their holiday and pay later.” Daniel D’souza, President & Country Head, Leisure, SOTC Travel said, “We are very encouraged with the strong pent up travel demand (69 per cent) revealed via our survey and given that uncertainty is a key concern, our Holiday First and Pay When You Return is an unbeatable offer –with a minimal token deposit of Rs 5000 paid pre-holiday and the balance post-holiday. The offer is invaluable as SOTC pays for all the charges/fees till 15 days from return. Our TravShield safety commitment is aimed at ensuring a stress-free and safe holiday experience across every stage of the customer journey and enhances our existing Assured Insured Secured Travel Program We truly understand customer concerns on account of health/safety (70 per cent) and TravShield is intended to reassure and build confidence in travel when restrictions ease.”
