Travel more this year

People from all around the world have had one thing in common this year, the realisation of investing more in experiences than investing in tangible products. This mass understanding especially amongst the youngsters has helped the travel and tourism industry to grow more.

Like 2016, 2017 will also be full of exciting itineraries with top travel destinations of the year. As per our internal research and analysis, 2017 will witness a number of international and domestic destinations that will hit the charts with tourist attractions.

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Short haul destinations are always a favourite with Indian travellers. One long weekend is stimulant enough to fulfil travel instincts. 2016 saw an upsurge of as high as 22 per cent for short haul destinations and this trend will surely boom in 2017

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International Trends
Destinations that 2017 will see a continuous uptake are places like Vietnam, Bali and Dubai. Vietnam surely is on every travellers list, particularly for the ones, who choose to take the road less travelled. Unlike other holiday destinations Vietnam is mostly popular as a stress-free destination with Visa on arrival for Indians and improved flight connectivity.

Additionally, Vietnam offers a value-for-money package with affordable eateries and low exchange rates with a stronger rupee, thereby making the destination the most popular choice of value-conscious Indian travellers. Its top attractions include Halong Bay, Hanoi, Sapa, Nha Trang, Mekong Delta, etc.

Another evergreen destination that is most likely to make place in the Indian traveller’s bucket list in 2017 is Bali. Bali doesn’t necessarily have a peak season nor does it need any occasion as the weather is always travel friendly.

The beautiful villas and resorts with breath-taking views of Seminyak and Kuta beach is a complete game-changer for travellers looking for cost effective accommodations. Luring tourists both for its serenity and culture, buzzing energy and adventure activities such as water sports and cycling holidays, Bali is expected to be one of the hottest tourist spot in 2017.

Europe, the prized holiday destination of Indian travellers, will be the favourite long haul destination, especially for honeymoon couples and solo travellers. The most popular trio -France, Switzerland and Austria account for a large number of Indian travellers as observed in 2016.

From sports activities in the Alpine Lakes to Skiing holidays and tobogganing, cycling, paragliding and hiking amid the beautiful and fresh mountain ranges, the European belt is expected to see an uptake of 12 to 15 per cent in 2017.

Scandinavian countries (Norway and the Nordic Finland) too will steal the limelight for its mesmerising Aurora Borealis famously known as “The Northern Lights” and Nordic walking. The spine chilling winters, bundled in sleeping bags and lying under the magnificent northern lights is an experience for many and will continue to attract a lot of travellers.

Another interesting trend, which is most likely to be hot in 2017 is Self-Drives.
Self-drive holidays have seen an upsurge with today’s travellers wanting to explore more about their travel destinations.

These will continue to gain great traction as the new age voyagers are constantly looking for raw and authentic experiences.

Apart from being economical, self-drive breaks allow travellers to discover new and offbeat paths and tread their own. With an adventurous and thrilling vibe to the idea of experiencing the trails first hand, self-drive holidays are a hit with not just experienced travellers but also youngsters.

The most beautiful and exotic getaways to trend in 2017 are Europe, New Zealand and UK with some breath-taking driveways. USA and Australia are expected to see a fair amount of takes, too. Having said that, Self-drive escapes will surely be a trendsetter in 2017!

Domestic Trends
Incredible India is a favourite destination for both inbound and domestic travellers. Down South of India famous for its lush green hills and rich heritage, is expected to be a part of every group’s plan – honeymoon couples, families, group of friends, solo travellers, etc. Places like Coorg, famous for its blue colour clean beans, also attract travellers owing to its rich wildlife and scenic locales.

Activities like trekking, water sports, camps under the stars, jeep safaris, etc, Coorg is set to attract large number of Indian travellers especially between the months of November and April. Talking about evergreen destinations, Goa will continue to be in trend in 2017.

Starting with the beautiful beaches, one can be adventurous with water sports activities, sun bathe for long hours and enjoy refreshing cocktails under the sun.

Rajasthan is another destination that will be one of the top hotspots for Indian travellers in 2017. The land of Maharajas and royalty is always blessed with wealth and fortune. Rajasthan interests a large number of travellers with its glorious architecture and uninterrupted culture.

Rich in all aspects of tourist attractions i.e. food, culture, heritage, wildlife and scenic places, it has recently been highly popular amongst the youth with music festivals, the biggest one being “Magnetic Fields”.

Top destinations in Rajasthan that people are sure to visit are Jaipur, famously known as the Pink City, Jaisalmer in the midst of the Thar Desert, Jodhpur also known as the Sun City and Udaipur which is the city of lakes.

Domestic destinations saw an upsurge of 25 per cent in 2016 and we are sure of it soaring even higher in 2017.

By: Rakshit Desai
(Managing Director of FCM Travel Solutions.)