Kayak survey: Over 45% of respondents ready to spend ₹1 lakh for travel this summer

This summer 16 per cent of Indian holiday makers are planning to spend over ₹3 lakh on travel, and over 45 per cent of the respondents are planning to have a budget of at least ₹1 lakh for travel budget this season, according to Kayak, a travel search engine.

About 38 per cent of Indians prefer to spend their money on travel above all other pursuits, including shopping, food, and other daily activities and essentials. Contrary to popular belief, it is not the youngest generation that is most obsessed with travel; rather people age at 36-55 are more willing to spend on travelling, in which 47 per cent of them prefer to spend money on travel than other pursuits. Besides, during their trip, most Indians (53 per cent) say they prefer to save up their money on shopping, added the survey done by Kayak.

As spending power of increases, Indians are constantly seeking to strike between value for money, and gaining the best experiences. The survey results show that most Indians are willing to cut some costs to afford their travel by choosing a cheaper alternative, either on shopping (53 per cent), accommodation (38 per cent), or local transportation (37 per cent). However, less would choose to give up the quality of sightseeing and excursions, car rentals, or meals - indicating that many see these as the most important factors necessary to ensure a memorable and rewarding holiday, according to Kayak survey.

Abhijit Mishra, Director, India & Middle East of Kayak, said, ‘Over time we’ve observed an evolution in the travel culture of Indians, with travelling gradually taking a more and more prominent place in our lives. Many Indians today consider travelling one of the most important parts of life — for them, a good annual holiday is a must every year, and holiday planning a task demanding care and attention’.

With the rise in low-cost airlines and short-haul travel, it is no surprise that many spontaneous travellers these days just pack their bags and go out for a vacation. But the majority of travellers still plan ahead and plan with a detailed budget. About 56 per cent Indians are very meticulous, spending the time to plan their holiday budget well in advance.

Transportation cost is always the an important element when planning for a holiday, with 34 per cent of Indians pointing to flight fares as their top consideration when choosing flight, followed by the suitability of the flight time or date (30 per cent), and whether the flight was direct or had stopovers (26 per cent).

This indicates that while Indians are smart planners and want to make the most of their trips, many are also starting to prioritise comfort and convenience at the same time. In today’s market, it’s becoming crucial to provide the Indian traveller with a balance of both price and quality.

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