Despite the strains of Covid-19, research company GlobalData is
turning the spotlight onto India, which could hit record levels of 29
million outbound trips by 2025, fuelled by ready-to-travel Gen Z and
millennials.
Craig Bradley, associate travel and tourism analyst at GlobalData
said tourism development in developing economies such as India's
"typically thrives", thus posing "an excellent opportunity for
destination marketers, which can capitalise on the country’s growing
population, comprising [some 51%] of Gen Z and millennials. These
generations are inclined to travel".
Other reasons to look to India include its growing economy, where
current projections show the national GDP of India will reach US$4
trillion, 50% higher than 2021 levels, according to GlobalData’s
Macroeconomic database.
This will also mean a rising middle class, with disposable income for years to come.
However, this is subject to India's ability to avoid further Covid-19
outbreaks and subsequent lockdowns, especially with the latest
discovery of the omicron variant.
Bradley adds that pre-pandemic, "India was one of the most important
and sought-after tourism source markets globally [such as to Australia
and the UK].
“While the Covid-19 crisis put considerable strain on the country’s
economy and tourism industry, Indian travellers are expected to be ready
to travel once more."
An earlier Finder.com
survey conducted in November indicates the same trend. Demand for
travel among Indians is at an all-time high, with half of India’s
population indicating either international or domestic travel plans for
the months of November, December and January.
India has only recently reopened its borders to international travellers, after ceasing tourist visas since March 2020.
GlobalData releases insights on the top factors that contribute to Indian tourists’ travel decisions.
According to a Q3 2021 Global Consumer survey by GlobalData, 56% of
Indians said that affordability and accessibility are key considerations
for travel, with social media also playing a big role when it comes to
influencing their travel decisions.
Bradley adds that "India’s increased investment in budget airlines,
as well as improving airport infrastructure, means better connections
from regional and major airports. Therefore, international travel will
be more straightforward and cheaper for Indian travellers. This will be
essential to India’s success in the post-pandemic era".