InterMiles, a leading loyalty and rewards programme, has released its maiden ‘Consumer Sentiment Index
Over 63% Chennaiites are raring to travel domestically within the next 6 months, reveals the InterMiles Consumer Sentiment Index
Chennai, 19 October 2020:InterMiles, a leading loyalty and rewards programme, has released its maiden ‘Consumer Sentiment Index Report’ showcasing insights and changing consumption patterns around travel. Thereport is based on responses received from more than 7,500 InterMilers across India; of these, close to 400 respondents were from Chennai.
Key Insights from the InterMiles Consumer Sentiment Index:
The pandemic may have closed borders, but aspiration &intent to travel in the near future still remains high.
Corroborating the revenge travel trend forecasted by travel experts and backing the government’s Vocal for Local initiative, 63% respondents said they would look at travelling domestically within the next 6 months, while 11% were ready to pack their bags within a month itself! Only 19% respondents are wary of travelling within India, with 13% saying they would not cross domestic borders without a vaccine, and a meagre 6% saying they do not currently have travel on their mind.
On the international front, majority respondents(46%) expressed hesitation when it comes to travel, with 29% opting not to travel until there’s a vaccine, and 17% saying they do not have international travel on their mind.
However, even though most international borders are currently closed or have restricted transit, 25% respondents expressed interest in travelling internationally within the next 6 months. An almost equal percentage of respondents – 28%, would rather hold off travel currently, and consider it in the next 6 to 12 months. Over 46% would consider travelling internationally and domestically for business purposes, while 16% respondents want to travel to their hometowns within the country.
A significant number would rather be close to home and only undertake travel to the city outskirts (11%) at this point in time, or have staycations within their city(13%) itself. Only 4% respondents are currently keen on undertaking long distance self-drive journeys. As domestic state-borders open up, an increase in this trend is anticipated, further encouraged by its natural advantage of social distancing.
The increasing caution displayed by potential Chennai travellers is evident from the fact that a whopping 63% now deem securing travel insurance a necessity even while travelling domestically.
Earlier, travel insurance was predominantly preferred by outbound / international travelers from Chennai albeit as a secondary component of their travel. While in some instances, the fact that it was a pre-requisite element for certain visa and immigration protocols, acted as the sole purpose for travellers to purchase travel insurance. When it comes to accommodation, Chennaiites have displayed maximum confidence in five-star properties or other luxury suites due totheir pre-existing trust in these brands or the transparency with which they showcase their sanitization practices, assuring high standards of hygiene and safety. Homestays with family & friends due to familiarity and assurance of surroundings and co-habitants was the second most preferred accommodation choice.
