MUMBAI: The concept of alternative
accommodation is growing with most Indians wanting to opt for
it this year as it is affordable and gives tourists an
opportunity to explore destinations like locals, according to
a study.
A majority (68 percent) of Indian travellers said
they will be looking to book an alternative accommodation in
2019, compared to the global average of 37 percent, according
to a study by Booking.com.
Alternate accommodation includes home-stays, villas,
apartments, farm-stays among others.
Travellers are turning to alternative accommodation as
a way of expressing their individuality as 66 percent of
Indians mentioned that they like statement accommodation that
is unique so they can seem like a trend setter, it added.
The research was commissioned by Booking.com and
independently conducted among a sample of 53,492 respondents
across 31 markets.
The study revealed that living like a local is key for
65 percent of Indians against 49 percent global travellers,
who believe that staying in a home-type accommodation lets
them see areas of a city or parts of a country that they
wouldn’t have otherwise explored.
Further, it found that with 67 per cent of Indian
travellers stating that staying in a home-type accommodation
allows them to feel that they are getting the most value for
their money compared to 45 per cent globally answer the same.
The study also revealed that 26 percent travellers
globally like statement accommodation that is unique so they
can be a trend setter, while in India 66 percent of
travellers share this desire to be different.
(AGENCIES)