Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

‘Indians travelling abroad on the rise’

HYDERABAD: With growing disposable incomes and consumption-driven economy, increasing numbers of Indians are travelling abroad for leisure and business, according to a survey by the Neilsen India Outbound Travel Monitor 2008.

Asian countries are their most popular destinations followed by Europe which, however, is preferred for business travel rather than pleasure, says Vatsala Pant, Associate Director, Nielsen Company. The survey done in association with Pacific Asia Travel Association also reveals that most of India’s outbound travellers hail from urban centres and are well educated and well-informed about the world.

The main reason that a majority of Indians (64 per cent) travel abroad is for sight-seeing, followed by those (47 per cent) with an urge to explore a new country. About a quarter travel overseas to de-stress and for visiting family and friends. PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre Associate Director Oliver Martin says with a rapidly expanding middle class, India offers huge potential to tap millions of potential travellers in the next two years.

Singapore will be the most common travel destination for Indians in the next 12 months followed by Dubai, Australia and Malaysia. On an average, Indians spend nearly US $ 1,789 per person per leisure trip. Other than travel and accommodation, they spend mostly on global branded goods. Accessories, electronics, local souvenirs, fragrances, fine gifts and fashion also rank high on their shopping list, the survey reveals. Interestingly, Internet is the popular medium for information on destinations for 46 per cent of Indians surveyed and the rest depended on travel agents and tour operators. Other popular sources are newspapers, magazines. A majority of travellers, however, depended on travel agents for their holiday bookings while 12 per cent preferred online travel agents.

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