It was a struggle being locked up and not being able tofor, Founder ofand Co-Founder of.
‘Watching Youtube videos of places we want to go to, planning trips for the future, and looking back at the old photos of places we’ve been to was the only way to solve the travel itch. I took a road trip to Rishikesh in September. It was a surreal experience. I had not seen Rishikesh being so empty ever. We were the only ones crossing the famous Laxman Jhula, and among the few sitting on the Ganges beaches,’ he says.
Pictures from Karan Chopra’s New Zealand trip.
New world
‘This year I want to go to Maldives and also explore a few wildlife sanctuaries in India. Step out of your comfort zone and try new things. I recently quit my corporate job to start something of my own. The habit of stepping out of the comfort zone helps me discover new things and keeps me going. Travelling teaches you to not sweat the small stuff. Waiting at the airports, communicating in a foreign language, you face multiple small obstacles on your journey. These little frustrations are a valuable lesson and help me be patient personally and professionally,’ he says.
Best time
‘I love road trips and have taken multiple memorable ones across India, Iceland, Jordan, US, but the favourite one would be the one I took with my wife in 2018 in New Zealand. There is so much beauty and diversity in NZ’s landscape. Every city was a different experience. We started the trip from Queenstown in the South and ended it at Auckland in the North and spent 20 days on the road,’ he ends.
Relaxury, Breakaway Bubbles & Other Travel Trends Of 2021
Travel Goals
You know how we would just decide to pack our bags and head out of town for the weekend without thinking twice? Ah the good old days. Well, 2020, we’ve learned our lesson and we’re willi
ng to change. 63% Indians pledge to not take travel for granted in the future.
Looking ahead at 2021, the impact of the pandemic is changing not just our choice of destination but also the type of trips we’re most likely to take in the coming year. New research from Booking.com shows the five emerging trip types for 2021 to motivate and inspire travellers to take a trip (or five) to best fit their newfound travel preference.
Solace in Solo
The solo travel trend is likely to gather even greater momentum, as travel was stymied by the pandemic, which will likely nudge them to take the plunge to travel on their own in 2021. Booking.com data pre-pandemic saw only 18% of Indian travellers planning a trip on their own, while 54% of Indian travellers now say they will be planning a solo trip in the future. With 49% of Indian travellers saying they would want to travel more in the future to make up for travel time lost in 2020.
Breakaway Bubbles
In 2020, most travellers have had extended time apart from friends and family. For many it appears that distance has made the heart grow fonder as 67% of Indian travellers plan to use future travel as an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones. In fact, while being apart, 49% of Indian travellers have revealed that talking to friends and family about travelling is one of their main inspirations to travel again.
Weekend Wonders
With many travellers feeling apprehensive that future travel plans could be disrupted again, there will be an increased demand for a quick trip as 59% of Indian travellers would want to take more shorter breaks in 2021 than they did in 2019 to minimize any disappointment. A further 35% Indians travellers also revealed their preference of a weekend break for their first trip once restrictions are lifted.
Relaxury
The unexpected halt of travel plans for most travellers has meant that just being able to travel at all is a luxury, in fact, 63% of Indian travellers have pledged to not take travel for granted in the future. So while research shows that travellers still have a high intention to travel again, only 14% of Indian travellers are now actually planning a luxury getaway (such as a villa, 5-star hotel), with 47% of Indian travellers planning a relaxing trip to get away from it all, making relaxation the real luxury of 2021.