Voices Pushpesh Pant Ravi Shankar Utkarsh Amitabh Anu Aggarwal Shashank Mani mata amritanandamayi MAGAZINE Buffet People Wellness Books Food Art & Culture Entertainment NEW DELHI February 25 2024 SUNDAY PAGES 12 As You Life It With two months gone by, here’s a dive into what will shape excursions and vacations in the rest of 2024 By Noor Anand Chawla “I have travelled to Iceland and Munich on specialised trips as a food curator and expert… I would turn guide for the passengers and we would go street-food hopping together.” W ith rapid technological and climate change staring us in the face, 2024 is set to look very different. What remains constant, however, is the human desire to explore. Some things remain the same, but unforeseen experiential trends are getting hot now. A desire to experience hidden gems and offbeat destinations (think Meghalaya, Ziro, Ponmudi, Sandakphu, Gokarna) remains as strong as ever, as does a penchant for adventure tourism focused on activities like trekking, wildlife safaris, and adrenaline-pumping sports. Tourism geared towards enjoying sporting events, tournaments and championships across the globe continues to be popular, just like travel for festivals and cultural celebrations. Luxury remains ageless; discerning travellers seek high-end accommodations, personalised services and opulent amenities while tourism centred on culinary exploration also remains popular. Similarly, religious tourism is on an all-time high with travellers gearing their vacations around India’s numerous sacred destinations. New and interesting travel trends this year include a desire to observe the skies with astro-tourism picking up. In a bid to save money and enjoy a quieter experience, tourists are also keen on off-season travel. Some prefer not to plan in advance, however, choosing to book their holidays at the last minute owing to their fast-paced lifestyles. These holidays are also generally more flexible in terms of planning, with strict itineraries being shunned. Unusual pairings for travel partners are another interesting trend, such as grandparents choosing to travel exclusively with their grandchildren for some high-quality bonding time. Of the many travel trends, we decode the ones that truly stand out. Ranveer Brar Chef, restaurateur, actor The Bold and the Influential W hen Thomas Cook was tasked with prepping an itinerary for guests that offered hands-on culinary insights into the local culture and cuisine, they called in the expert. Ranveer Brar, celebrated chef, restaurateur and actor, was the perfect person for the job. He recalls, “I have travelled to Iceland and Munich on specialised trips as a food curator and expert, as well as one which was part of the Royal Caribbean cruises, where I was called on to be the curator for the Indian cuisine and menu onboard the liners. And after docking at Malaysia, I would turn guide for the passengers and we would go street-food hopping together.” A regular immersive experience is no longer enough. Chef-led gastro trips have become common, so people can experience a region the way the chef does. Group trips designed and hosted by social media influencers are another major trend. However, while some influencers organise these trips themselves spurred on by their many followers requesting tailor-made itineraries to places the influencers have previously visited, others prefer to tie up with established travel companies. Pavitra Kaur or @theclassyfoodophile recently led a group of 18 people from Paris to Prague with tour operator When in City The latter specialises in . group trips for 18-32-year-olds, and Kaur with her 416K followers on Instagram was the perfect collaborator. “This is now part of their brand-building strategy says Kaur. “Even Coca-Cola ,” sent influencers to Tomorrow Land for indirect marketing. Personally I think , it’s great when someone with specialised knowledge leads a trip. I would love to join a trip to London with Karan Johar so he could show us the original estate from Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham!” Travel and lifestyle blogger Karishma Rawat (@karishmarawat) has been on influencer-led trips too, though in her experience travel agencies are usually the driving force behind them. “The trend is positive, ensuring well-organised and safe trips. Smaller groups add a personal touch, making the experiences more memorable,” she says. in Singapore, March 2-9; Ed Sheeran in Mumbai, March 16 ● Book your tickets directly with the event organiser. Sign up for mailing lists too. ● Attend with like-minded company. Arrive well in advance and identify food, water and toilet stations on arrival. Check event website for announcements. ● Stay close to the venue. Wear comfortable clothes. Stay hydrated. ● International influencers best known for conducting trips: Alyssa Ramos (@mylifesatravelmovie), Alexandra Baackes (@alexinwanderland) and @wanderwomanretreats, Kesi of @kesitoandfro, Rioba of @justrioba; Kanoa Greene of @KanoaGreene and @KanoaAdventures, Johnny Ward of @OneStep4Ward, Will Hatton of @WillHatton_, and Lesley Murphy of @lesleyannemurphy and @limitlesstravel ● In India, most influencers tie up with travel companies such as When in City ● The best way to book trips with them is through social media or newsletters. For regular travel agents, websites are good. ● Itineraries depend on number of days and location. Trips are at all price points. W hen the global pandemic hit, the travel experience that was to get the worst name was going on a cruise. Four years later, this same experience is thriving better than ever before. This is certainly evident from Virtuosos 2023 yacht bookings, which were up by 79 per cent over 2019, especially in the yacht-forward destinations of Croatia, Greece, San Tropez, and the Caribbean. According to Daniel D’Souza, president and country head of holidays, SOTC Travel, cruises continue to be a popular choice, as they offer a unique blend of luxury, entertainment, and the opportunity to explore multiple destinations in just one trip. Content creator Ruchika Lohiya (@_chikka) was invited to cruises with the groups Costa and Cordelia in India and Star Cruises in Singapore, in a bid by these companies to spread the word. “Though it depends on your budget, sea travel is a truly unique experience,” she says. However, travel bloggers Sandy & Vyjay and founders of Voyager Sandy N Vyjay, feel that SPEC SHEET cruise tourism is still very nascent in India. They say, ● Price points vary as per the “When we think about cruises, it destination and duration of the is generally the international cruise. Larger cruise ones that come to mind. We have experiences tend to be more recently been on a luxury cruise cost-effective than bespoke, in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, and smaller ones. would recommend this experience.” ● You can expect stellar service It’s interesting to note that on premium yachts, as well as smaller boating experiences are the opportunity to dock and now more popular than large tour port towns cruises. Away&Co specialises in smaller, more intimate cruises ● Typical itineraries differ curated for fewer people with a depending on the company and high level of luxury Their most . the area. Larger cruise lines popular luxury cruise destinainclude areas for sport and tions include Alaskan cruises entertainment, as well as covering the beautiful natural multiple dining options. Smaller scenery, glaciers, and wildlife of Alaska’s picturesque landscapes, ones have more limited options. river cruises through a number ● Top-ranked cruise of Europe’s historic rivers while experiences: Alaskan cruises, exploring iconic cities and river cruises through Europe, charming towns along the way, remote cruises to unique and expedition cruises to remote destinations like the Galapagos and unique destinations like the Galapagos Islands, Antarctica, or Islands, Antarctica, or the Norwegian Fjords for Norwegian Fjords for specialised experiences and specialised experiences and nature-focused trips. nature-focused trips Getting Giggy With It SPEC SHEET ● Upcoming Concerts: Taylor Swift SPEC SHEET Deep Blue Sea W hen art consultant Geet Nagi found out about the Coldplay Asia and Australia tour, she immediately rallied the troops. “Coldplay’s music was such a major part of my teenage years, so I really wanted to relive that feeling of shared nostalgia with my school friends,” she says. She convinced the group to attend the concert in Singapore—a destination she had never visited—and booked a five-night stay even though the concert was only on one. “It was wonderful. I got to see a fun new destination with my buddies. Apart from the concert, we partied, shopped, ate and saw lots of art. Taylor Swift’s upcoming concerts in Singapore in March have also seen a huge surge in travel bookings. According to data collected by booking portal Cleartrip, there was a 32 per cent increase in bookings of destinations around Coldplay’s Asia music tours and Swift’s have seen a 27 per cent increase. This ties in with other industry insights too. The travel trends report for 2024 published by Skyscanner showed that 37 per cent of Indian travellers were willing to fly short haul to hear their favourite bands play live, while 20 per cent would even fly longer distances. “Event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of India’s millennials and Gen Z,” explains Rajeev Kale, president and country head, holidays, MICE, visa of Thomas Cook (India) Limited. “Their keen interest in live concerts, events, and cultural immersion is poised to be a driving force for travel in the upcoming year. This demographic seeks immersive experiences that go beyond traditional tourism, reflecting a desire for dynamic and culturally rich journeys.” Turn to page 2
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