Staycation: India’s untapped goldmine for quick getaways and digital detoxes
Unless you're a workaholic or bonded labourer, by now you should be all set for your annual Christmas/year-end vacation. Post-Covid, revenge tourism continues unabated. But within the Indian leisure sector, one niche form remains underdeveloped: the staycation industry. While countries like Britain define staycation to mean domestic tourism, the term is more applicable here to taking a break from daily routine and holidaying in one's own hometown or nearabout. This is not an alternative to 'proper' vacationing but a supplement to it.
According to Future Market Insights (FMI), the global staycation market revenue is expected to reach around $758 mn in 2033. This is no loose change. If one considers its USP - far less-to-no travel stress, short durations, far less planning, more bang for the budgetary buck - it's understandable why the 25-34 age group is found to be most likely to choose staycation as their first choice of holiday. An FMI survey also points that 91% of those surveyed choose it for 'escapism', while 70% bundle it with a 'digital detox'. Bottomline: there is a growing demand to cater to the staycationer.
Problem: in India, stepping out and finding 'holiday infrastructure' - fine dining, pools in summer, leisure spots, holiday shops - just outside your home cities that are not 'tourist destinations' are hard to find outside hotels. It's harder to find quality service. To bring comfortable vacation destinations 'nearer', the hospitality industry must replicate its post-Covid gusto between traditional holidaying points. Today, Airbnb, OYO and other homestays are expanding their pillowprint in cities for the business traveller. Filling the staycation gap can be the next destination for this sector to set its eyes on.