Millennials most keen to resume travelling in summer 2021: Indian survey

With the vaccination drive against COVID-19 gathering steam across the world and restrictions on movements easing gradually, many millennials (between the age group 0f 18-38 years) are keen to take an international holiday this summer, according to a survey.

Things are looking up for 2021, as 52 percent millennials are eager to take an international holiday this summer as COVID-19 vaccine brings in hope that the end of the pandemic is near, according to a survey by BOTT (Business of Travel Trade) Travel Sentiment Tracker.

The survey was done online with over 6,000 millennial travelers across India during January 2021. As per the survey, 75 percent millennials would prefer to go to foreign destinations with fewer COVID-19 cases while 71 percent would opt for destinations with defined protocols for the pandemic to avoid unnecessary hassles.

The industry experts said that they consider the survey findings encouraging for the industry as it will generate more confidence in travel.

Short haul category

The survey also showed that 62 percent millennials would prefer Thailand, followed by Singapore (58 percent), UAE (52 percent), Maldives (46 percent) and Saudi Arabia (40 percent) in the short-haul category of foreign destinations. Malaysia and Indonesia are chosen by 39 percent millennials each Sri Lanka (36 percent), Bhutan (31 percent), Turkey (28 percent) and Seychelles (24 percent) coming close among the top preferred short-haul foreign destinations, it noted.

Long haul category

In the long-haul category, the top-ranked international destinations include France (53 percent), Germany (51 percent), Australia (50 percent), Switzerland (49 percent), the USA (46 percent), Britain (45 percent), Canada (44 percent), Japan (38 percent).

The ongoing vaccine drive coupled with dropping COVID-19 cases in India has instilled confidence in the travelers, especially the millennials, according to industry experts.