India’s Millennials prefer non-traditional experiences over romance on Valentine’s Day

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Written by Linda Hohnholz

Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., an integrated travel and travel related financial services company in India, has witnessed a significant demand for Valentine’s Day, upwards of 27%.

Valentine’s Day falling on a Thursday this year, has allowed travel hungry Indians to take Friday off and avail of an extended weekend (a 4-day break) to celebrate Valentine’s Day by travelling with loved ones.

Thomas Cook India’s data highlights that while demand for romantic destinations such as France, Switzerland, Italy, Bali, Langkawi (Malaysia), Mauritius and Maldives continues to grow, it is non-standard destinations, such as Korea, Japan, Fiji, Reunion Island, Morocco, Tunisia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Greece and South Africa that are seeing significant interest. From an India perspective, destinations like Dharmshala, Manali, Kerala, Goa, Dalhousie and Udaipur feature as favorites.

While Valentine’s Day has been viewed as a metro phenomenon, Regional India’s Tier 2 and 3 cities are displaying strong demand: metro/mini-metro cities (such as Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Pune) contributing approx. 60% to Thomas Cook India’s Valentine Day bookings, with 40% delivered by Tier 2 and 3 cities (Kochi, Jaipur, Madurai, Lucknow, Chandigarh). This year, Valentine’s Day has seen significant uptake from India’s millennial segment and DINK/SINK (Double/Single Income No Kids) couples; millennials leading with a 47% contribution to Thomas Cook India’s booking pie.

Romantic experiences such as champagne brunches/candle lit dinners, sunset cruises, couple spas, etc. continue to be the flavor of the season, however it is unique, non-traditional experiences such as quad-biking, snorkeling, sailing trips, bungee jumping, zip lining/zorbing, kite boarding/wind surfing, sea-plane tours, scenic self-drives that are seeing high demand- a growth of 45% against last year. Unique culinary experiences such as vineyard tours and sampling new age wines in South Africa, cooking classes with a local chef in Malaysia or indulging in Chef Hawker Chan’s Michelin-starred street food in Singapore; outdoor and adrenalin infused experiences like a self-drive in a super car through Tuscany’s countryside or the ultimate experience of an FI ride around the Yas Marina Circuit, an igloo stay in Finland to witness the Northern Lights, a Vespa city sightseeing tour in Singapore, a sunset cruise or kayaking along the mangroves in Abu Dhabi, a swim with the Hawksbill sea turtles off Indonesia’s Lengkuas Island and road trips including Manali-Leh, have seen strong interest.

To optimize on the upcoming Valentine’s Day extended weekend, India’s travelers are capitalizing on visa free (visa not required) or visa-on-arrival destinations like Bali, Jordan, Thailand and Kenya and Islands like Mauritius, Maldives & Seychelles.

Solo travel is also interestingly on the increase this Valentine’s Day (an increase of 20%) led primarily by the millennial segment- to celebrate their love for travel. Sizeable demand is seen from the single women’s segment and this includes travel to safe destinations such as Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai-Abu Dhabi, Japan, Korea, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Shillong and Coorg – with shopping, spa-wellness, culture and culinary experiences topping their wish list.

Thomas Cook’s luxury product “Indulgence” has seen strong uptake from India’s HNI-UHNIs for truly spectacular experiences, like luxury tented stays at Egypt’s White Desert and Oman’s Wahiba Sand, or a stately chateau in Picardy, France; a romantic dining and jacuzzi experience at 3000 meters at St Moritz; an exotic Hammam in Turkey or a private hot spring bath experience at a Japanese onsen; romance South African style at the Karkloof Safari Spa set amidst KwaZulu Natal’s magnificent Midlands; private night yachting in Australia; night fishing in a dhoni under the stars in the Maldives; exciting Harley Davidson biking tours in New Zealand; a unique wine-mud bath tour at the iconic Napa Valley or an unforgettable spa experience in Iceland’s geothermal Blue Lagoon;

Commenting on the changing trends and emerging destinations this Valentine’s Day, Mr. Rajeev Kale – President and Country Head – Leisure Travel, MICE, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. said, “Travel for Valentine’s Day is a strong and growing opportunity for us- across our outbound and domestic business lines, and we have observed a significant increase of over 27% this year.”

About the author

Avatar of Linda Hohnholz

Linda Hohnholz

Editor in chief for eTurboNews based in the eTN HQ.

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