Indians go on shorter, but more extravagant vacations

Inflation and lack of time seem to have taken a toll on the number of days Indians spend holidaying in the country, Soubhik Mitra reports.

Inflation and lack of time seem to have taken a toll on the number of days Indians spend holidaying in the country. According to a report by a travel portal, while holiday budget per person increased from Rs. 4,133 to Rs. 4,485, the duration of vacations dropped marginally from 3.05 nights to 2.7 nights.

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The report said travellers’ expenditure during the winter vacation (from November 2012) was 31% higher than the same period in 2011. The report by HolidayIQ.com also said that while duration of trips had shortened, people travelling in big groups found value-for-money vacations.

"Indian travellers seem to be increasingly cash-rich but time-poor. People seek to substitute lack of time for a long holiday with a more active and luxurious (and more expensive) holiday, albeit for a shorter duration," said Hari Nair, founder and chief exective officer, HolidayIQ.com.

The study based on bookings witnessed by the portal catering to 50 lakh travellers a month also found that trips with children were 63% expensive as compared to sole adult holidays.

The report further said people travelling in groups of more than three saved 21% on trip costs as compared to those vacationing in a smaller group. Travellers from tier 2 cities made higher spends as compared to metro vacationers. While average travel budget per person for non-metro cities was Rs. 5,100, the average budget in metros was Rs. 4,700.

Among the six metros, Delhiites went on longer vacations while Bangalo-reans undertook the shortest trips. Mumbaiites, the report stated, largely travelled in big groups and most travellers from the city travelled with kids.