Influence of the new-age traveller

MILLENNIALS have not only changed the demographics of checking into hotels but have also influenced major aspects of the hospitality industry.

Millennials and Gen-z are those born between 1981 and 1996 and contribute to roughly 1.8 billion or more than 23% of the population globally. They are a huge influence and dictate many future trends and graphs.

Their spending power can be attributed to professional advancement, international exposure and higher discretionary income.

The pandemic created work-fromhome opportunities that led them to travel extensively. The pandemic created motivation to “revenge travel” where millennials felt the urge to escape monotony, desire to explore, meet new people and make random travel plans.

This has led Indian travel and hospitality professionals to tap the emerging demand by evolving and ditching the conservative approach.

Here’s to how the hospitality sector can change the game, perhaps forever.

Go digital: It is a digital boom and the new-age traveller uses the internet right from checking in, to request a stay, room administration, making payments, planning itineraries and waiting for the room to open with a digital command. Gen-z does not mind undertaking a travel excursion with no human interaction. The only way ahead is to be digitally present.

Make room for leisure-merging travel with work: Technology has blurred the boundaries between work and leisure. It’s not uncommon for a coding engineer to crack codes while on a beach in the Maldives. The millennial believes in “work hard, party harder”. The hospitality industry needs to create more holiday spaces where business is not compromised while on a vacation.

Millennials and experiential travel: Gen Z and millennials are upbeat, moody and spontaneous. Experiential travel is on the rise and travellers are looking to explore offbeat regions. It can be in the form of rural, culinary or adventure tourism. The crux is to create holidays that are meaningful and authentic.

The rise of India's luxury villas/ homestays and wellness: The pandemic spurred the demand for luxury properties and homestays that are basically weekend homes for a relaxing staycation. Travellers seek comfortable private accommodations that are far from the daily hustle, have a stocked kitchen, 24x7 wifi, and an on-demand staff. A homestay or private villa provides millennials the privacy and discretion to travel with groups or solo, relax, unwind and stride in the property without worrying about restrictions on time and space.

Travel and wellness: Millennial travellers look for enriching experiences to achieve and maintain good health and a general sense of well-being. The hospitality industry can take advantage of this emerging trend by marketing the business as contributing to wellness tourism and promoting communities by benefiting locals as well as tourists.

The trend of solo travel: It's a huge opportunity in the hospitality sector if it could successfully cater to this modernised segment. The hospitality sector could create fun and out-of-ordinary properties that reflect the vibrant and adventurous spirit of young travellers.

Exploring unique destinations: Unmatchable zeal and enthusiasm is a characteristic that defines the new generation traveller. The rebel millennials are opportunists and adventurers and want to explore unexplored destinations.

Travelling is no longer a behindthe-door experience, but it's the new cool for the millennials of India. The hospitality sector can bank on the trend by expanding and investing in unique properties that can create lucrative opportunities that could prove to be profitable investments.

The idea is to create travel experiences that are trending and unforgettable. It's an era of adventure and adrenaline rush that also demands moments of calm and peace. |