Single traveller spending rises from Rs 15K to 24K

Bengaluru’s hardcore holiday buffs usually head out to exotic locations for New Years. But how do they go, how much do they spend, and when do they book, are questions that will not be left unanswered by online travel community portals.

So, HolidayIQ.com finds that travellers from Bengaluru booked 55 days in advance of their journey, compared to 37 days last year. Couples (read two adults) constitute 47 per cent of the holidayers, a rise from last year’s 43 per cent. Based on a study of over 80 Indian cities, the portal also decided that Bengalureans prefer Andaman & Nicobar islands as their most favourite domestic destination.

The average holiday budget for this year is Rs 30,500. For a family of two adults and two children, the financial outlay is Rs 45,000, a substantial increase compared to the 2013 budget of Rs 32,500. If single travellers spent an average of Rs 15,000 last year, they are bound to splurge Rs 24,000 for this New Year.

Tracking travel trends year after year, the portal’s study has concluded that holidays have got shorter and more expensive; interest is growing in offbeat destinations closer home such as Murudeshwara and Gokarna; and single travellers are game to spend more. Besides, the average length of a trip has gone up to four nights - five days this year against three nights-four days in 2013.

The entry of budget airlines such as AirAsia has changed the dynamics of holiday travel from Bengaluru, finds another travel portal, Expedia.com. As Manmeet Ahluwalia, Marketing Head, Expedia explained, the direct connectivity to offbeat locations in South East Asia has increased with the budget carriers making it more convenient to plan travel in these regions.

In the new year, Expedia’s analysis has found an increased demand for sports-related activities in off-beat places. “Also festivals / cultural events all across the world are becoming more and more popular,” said Ahluwalia.

Here’s a glimpse of other emerging travel trends in 2015: Long self-drive road trips in Australia, Europe, US; cruise holidays covering the Mediterranean; South America itineraries featuring indoor games, swimming, movies, and live entertainment; and experiences such as dipping in glacier waters.