| The profile of Indian travellers visiting international | | | | organise such tours on special requests but we |
| destinations has changed and today many of them | | | | believe, as a product, large group tours will not last |
| are able to take snap decisions and plan international | | | | very long. Only first-time travellers or senior citizens |
| travel within a few days, says the online travel | | | | who want the safety of people around them are |
| company Yatra.com’s cofounder Sabina Chopra. | | | | opting for such tours. But youngsters, even when |
| Earlier, Indians used to plan in advance — at least | | | | they are first-time travellers, want to go by |
| 30-45 days — for international travel. For instance, | | | | themselves and want an individual, customised |
| for a summer vacation in May-June they would start | | | | package. |
| planning in February or March. But for a year now, | | | | She also finds that itineraries are getting tweaked by |
| and thanks to relaxation in visa norms in countries | | | | individuals who make alterations and add their own |
| such as Thailand and Sri Lanka where you can get | | | | preferences. Today’s Indian traveller is very |
| visa on arrival, we are now seeing bookings coming in | | | | mature and evolved. He is not willing to take the |
| as late as 3-7 days from the date of journey. | | | | recommendations of the travel agent, he knows his |
| While youngsters tend to book flights and hotels on | | | | mind and has done enough study of the destination |
| the Website like and plan sightseeing tours and other | | | | on the Net. Most people, she adds, go at least to |
| interests on their own, Yatra’s holiday packages | | | | two or three vendors before making up their minds, |
| are becoming popular too. Some of them have | | | | and negotiate hard for good deals. |
| booked domestic and international flights from earlier | | | | The average Indian traveller is cost-conscious and |
| and now want a more mature product like a holiday | | | | normally sets out a budget — between Rs 50,000 |
| package. The flavours of the moment are Thailand, | | | | and Rs 1 lakh — and asks the team to work |
| Macau, Sri Lanka and Singapore, the last for the FI | | | | around it. But then there is also the high-end |
| event. | | | | customer for whom cost is no constraint. Needless |
| But the trends keep changing. During summer months | | | | to say, Yatra representatives make destination |
| European holidays are very popular, but this is the | | | | presentations on their laptops for such customers at |
| season for shorter breaks and most people are | | | | their homes. |
| headed towards east as well as Dubai for 4-5 day | | | | As for food, Indian vegetarian is the most popular |
| trips. During winter, leisure tours to Australia are | | | | and we do try and arrange vegetarian food — at |
| popular, as also Switzerland, which is the destination | | | | least one Indian meal a day — as far as possible. |
| favoured mainly by honeymooners, says Sabina. | | | | We get requests for Jain food from the Gujarat |
| While a European holiday costs about Rs 1 lakh per | | | | market. But the youngsters are willing to try out local |
| person, Switzerland packages, including travel, are | | | | cuisine, but after 2-3 days all Indians want an Indian |
| available for Rs 60,000 per person for five nights and | | | | meal! |
| six days. If needed, Yatra offers assistance with | | | | While many people pay online for their bookings, |
| visas at no extra charge in cities from where visas | | | | there are those who prefer to visit one of |
| are issued. | | | | Yatra’s 15 lounges in the country and pay by |
| Interestingly, Indian travellers are quickly moving | | | | cash or cheque. But we do encourage people to pay |
| away from organised group tours to individual tours. | | | | online. |
| That is the biggest trend that we are seeing. We do | | | | |