The conclave, held on 10-11 January 2026, brought together policymakers, investors, and tourism experts to chart a path forward. Siddaramaiah directed officials to craft a comprehensive coastal tourism policy, emphasising sustainable development and investor-friendly measures. Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar highlighted past shortcomings and admitted that while investor interest existed, execution lagged. Now, with fresh momentum, the state is tackling bottlenecks head-on, from infrastructure to law and order, the bedrock of any thriving tourism hub.

Five Dynamic Tourism Circuits Unveiled

At the heart of this revolution lie five specialised circuits designed to cater to diverse travellers. The marine and island tourism circuit will spotlight underwater wonders and secluded isles, perfect for snorkellers and adventure seekers. Complementing it, the beach and coastline tourism circuit focuses on sun-kissed sands and scenic promenades, drawing sunbathers and sunset chasers.

For those craving serenity, the backwaters and river island tourism circuit offers tranquil cruises along the Gurupur and Nethravati rivers. Meanwhile, the mountain slopes and temple tourism circuit weaves spirituality with adventure, linking ancient shrines nestled in lush hills. Rounding out the lineup, the Ghats and hill station tourism circuit promises misty treks and panoramic views from the Western Ghats’ foothills.

These circuits aren’t just maps on paper. They’re backed by actionable plans to unlock the region’s untapped potential. Imagine boarding a ferry from Mangaluru to Maravanthe, hopping between vibrant ports while savouring fresh seafood. Karnataka’s coastline, often overshadowed by neighbours, is ready to shine.

Ferries and Water Metros on Horizon

Boosting access is key, and the Karnataka Maritime Board has stepped up with game-changing projects. A Rs 37.8 crore coastal ferry service will link Mangaluru’s Old Port to Maravanthe via five stops, Hejmadi, Malpe, Kota, and more, under a 20-year concession. This water route will slash travel times and offer breathtaking sea views, making day trips effortless.

Even more exciting is the Rs 180 crore Water Metro Project, a sustainable lifeline connecting Mangaluru City Corporation from Malavoor Bridge near the airport to Jappinamogaru Bridge. Integrating with buses and public transport, it forms a multimodal network that’s eco-friendly and efficient. These initiatives echo successful models like Kochi’s water metros but are tailored for Karnataka’s unique geography, promising to decongest roads and amplify the coastal vibe.

Officials envision these as catalysts for economic growth, creating jobs in hospitality, guiding, and eco-tourism. With ferries zipping along the coast and metros gliding through mangroves, visitors will discover hidden gems like river islands teeming with birdlife, content gold for Instagram reels and travel vlogs.

Cultural Festivals and Blue Flag Beaches in Spotlight

Culture adds soul to the sands. Siddaramaiah mandated a dedicated cultural tourism wing, spotlighting traditions like kambala, the electrifying buffalo races held in over 45 villages, and pilli nalike, the rhythmic tiger dance. Plans include naturopathy retreats, health tourism hubs, educational centres, music concerts, and food fairs celebrating coastal cuisine from neer dosas to prawns ghee roast.

Elevating the beaches, 11 sites are lined up for Blue Flag certification, the global gold standard for clean, safe, and sustainable shores. Someshwara, Ullal, and Sasihitlu in Dakshina Kannada; Asare, Kodi Kanyana, and others in Udupi; plus Bailur, Apsarakonda, and Rabindranath Tagore Beach in Uttara Kannada, each backed by Rs 142.06 crore in funding. These upgrades mean lifeguards, clean facilities, and eco-practices, turning local favourites into world-class attractions.

Shivakumar urged resolving hurdles swiftly, while Siddaramaiah stressed impeccable law and order. Kerala may lead now, but Karnataka’s holistic push, blending adventure, culture, and connectivity, positions it for explosive growth. Early birds booking trips to these circuits could snag the best views before the crowds arrive.

As social media buzz builds around #KarnatakaCoast and #CoastalCircuits, expect viral threads of kambala thrills and Blue Flag sunsets. This isn’t just tourism policy. It’s a blueprint for a coastal renaissance that could redefine Indian beach holidays.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share

The post Karnataka to Develop Five Coastal Tourism Circuits to Rival Goa, Kerala appeared first on The CSR Journal.

India’s religious sites include ancient temples, grand mosques, revered churches, and monasteries. These places are not only spiritual centres but also showcase the country’s diverse culture and architecture. Many of these are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, attracting millions of pilgrims and tourists each year.

Religious tourism supports both heritage preservation and the economy. On this World Heritage Day, India’s religious tourism sector shows how faith can unite people, keep traditions alive, and deepen appreciation for the nation’s monuments and stories.

Religious Tourism in India

India’s religious tourism sector has witnessed a significant growth in recent years. In 2022, more than 1,433 million (143.3 crore) people travelled within the country for religious reasons, while over 6.6 million international tourists visited renowned pilgrimage sites.

Uttar Pradesh alone recorded a staggering 64.90 crore tourists in 2024, with religious destinations such as Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Mathura leading the surge. The newly inaugurated Ram Mandir in Ayodhya attracted 13.55 crore domestic visitors between January and September 2024, surpassing even the Taj Mahal in popularity.

This trend is not limited to Hindu sites. India’s spiritual map encompasses Buddhist, Sikh, Jain, Christian, and Islamic pilgrimage centres as well. From the Golden Temple in Amritsar and the dargahs of Ajmer and Nizamuddin, to the Buddhist circuit of Bodhgaya and Sarnath, the country’s religious diversity draws devotees from across the globe.

Economic Powerhouse

Religious tourism is a key driver of India’s tourism industry, accounting for over 60% of domestic travel. The sector generated approximately Rs 1.34 lakh crore in revenue in 2022 and is projected to reach $59 billion by 2028. The temple economy itself is now valued at Rs 6 lakh crore globally. Major religious events, such as the Maha Kumbh Mela, Mahashivratri, and Dev Deepavali, inject vitality into local economies, supporting hotels, restaurants, transport services, and markets.

The ongoing surge is also expected to contribute around Rs 2 lakh crore to the Indian economy. By 2028, religious tourism is expected to create around 140 million jobs, underscoring its importance as a pillar of employment and entrepreneurship.

Government Initiatives and Modernisation

Recognising the potential of religious tourism, the Indian government has implemented several schemes to upgrade infrastructure and amenities at pilgrimage sites. The PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) scheme, launched in 2014–15, focuses on the integrated development of pilgrimage destinations in a sustainable and planned manner.Initiatives like the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan have improved sanitation and hygiene at key religious sites, while the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) works to preserve and develop heritage and religious locations.

Modern management practices, digital ticketing, and guided tours are increasingly being adopted to cater to the evolving preferences of pilgrims, with 31 per cent of spiritual travellers now opting for organised experiences.

Changing Demographics

The profile of the religious tourist is changing. Younger travellers and women are participating in larger numbers, and there is a growing demand for group and experiential travel. This shift is driving the sector towards greater professionalism and innovation.

With religious tourism expected to contribute Rs 2 lakh crore to the economy and continue its upward trajectory, India’s spiritual destinations remain not only centres of faith but also engines of economic growth and cultural exchange.

The post World Heritage Day Spotlight: How Religious Tourism Dominates India’s Travel Landscape appeared first on The CSR Journal.

Travellers are ‘rewriting their playbook’ in 2025; Defying the rules of conventional getaways and as a result, forging new connections with themselves, their loved ones, those they meet along the way, as well as the destinations they visit. Whether rewriting the norms of age, gender or simply what society thinks what a typical vacation should look like, emboldened travellers are breaking out of familiar patterns and using their individual journeys to fuel and find long-lasting personal growth.

To understand how people plan to break away from the status quo, Booking.com commissioned research among more than 27,000 travellers across 33 countries including India to present nine travel predictions which foresee 2025 being the year that ushers in new ways of experiencing the world. From millennials rethinking the airport experience to baby boomers taking on thrill-seeking adventures, travel is becoming more about self-discovery and deep connections.

The trends set to shape the travel industry in 2025:

Trend 1: Noctourism

2025 is the year of stargazing our way into new astro-adventures. The trend of ‘Noctourism’ (nocturnal tourism) refers to travelling to experience the night in all its glory. With space tourism edging ever closer to reality, travellers will be focused on building connections with the universe as they turn to more attainable astro-pursuits next year.

Ditching the daylight crowds for midnight magic, 78% of Indian travellers are interested in visiting dark sky destinations for stargazing and constellation tracking.

76% are willing to travel for once-in-a-lifetime celestial events.
69% prefer vacationing in cooler locations due to climate change concerns.

79% plan activities during cooler hours and 73% aim to reduce sun exposure.

An appreciation for the nocturnal world is also deepening travellers’ connections with nature with 72% seeking accommodations with minimal light pollution to preserve nature.

Trend 2: Passport to Immortality

As travellers search for the elixir of life, a vacation is no longer just time to unwind. In 2025, wellness will go beyond yoga mats and smoothies. Driven by the desire to cultivate better lifestyle choices, 83% of Indian travellers are interested in longevity retreats for deep revitalisation – a super-charged flex on traditional wellbeing itineraries where temporary fixes are replaced in pursuit of a longer, healthier life.

79% are willing to pay for vacations focused on extending lifespan and well-being.

Deep revitalisation is top priority from body vibration therapy (78%), cryotherapy (70%), red light therapy (66%) and stem cell treatment (64%).

85% are looking for new wellness activities they can mix into their daily lives as they reconnect with a more balanced version themselves like timed coffee ingestion (56%) and IV therapy (50%).

Trend 3: AI = Alternative Itineraries

New technologies are already helping travellers find experiences tailored to their needs, but in 2025 we’ll see people using powerful AI tools (such as Booking.com’s AI Trip Planner) to craft alternative itineraries based on personal preferences and the needs of the destinations they hope to visit. These itineraries will encourage deeper connections with local communities and the planet more broadly.

90% of Indians will use technology to make informed decisions and find authentic experiences, to not only respect the locations they visit but contribute positively to them.

83% seek technology to find less crowded areas and 40% use apps for real-time assistance.

57% of Gen Z and 56% of Millennials would reconsider visiting over-touristed destinations.

19% will avoid tagging locations on social media to protect lesser-known destinations.

Trend 4: Multigen Megatrips

The next generation might want to start saving for their own trips. The trend of spending kid’s inheritance (SKI) is set to continue in 2025 as nearly half of Indian travellers (46%) would rather spend their money on a bucket-list trip than leaving an inheritance to their children. This trend is particularly strong in baby boomers at 37%.

84% of Indians believe in the value of intergenerational travel.
Boomers are willing to fund trips for their children and grandchildren (79% and 59%, respectively). Shared experiences are prioritised over material possessions.

Trend 5: Boyz II Zen

Gender norms and expectations are becoming increasingly fluid and this shift is set to extend into the travel industry as well. With growing societal awareness around male mental health, men-only retreats focusing on wellbeing and personal growth will become more prevalent in 2025.

A majority (79%) of Indians confirm they would encourage one of the men in their life to go on a men-only trip.

Men seek travel to improve personal growth (41%), reduce stress (35%), rest and rejuvenate (34%) and prioritise mental health benefits (39% ).

43% are looking to make new friendships and 38% looking to improve their relationship building skills with friends and family, followed by 31% considering a men-only trip to tackle feelings of loneliness.

Women are persuading the men in their lives to go on a men-only trip, with 69% encouraging their partner, 37% their friends, 30% their brother and 22% their father to put themselves first.

Trend 6: Ageless Adventures

If you think the thrills and spills of travel are reserved only for the younger generations, it’s time to think again – adventure has no age limit! In 2025, baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 1964) are redefining what it means to travel later in life.

Baby Boomers are redefining adventure travel, with 30% interested in high-octane activities (up from 11% in 2024**) like sand surfing (42%), skydiving (34%), cave diving (36%), camping in Antarctica (22%) or even volcano boarding (22%).
One out of four Boomers seek to push their comfort zones and reconnect with their adventurous spirit.

Trend 7: Neuroinclusive Navigation

Travellers with neurodivergent needs are calling for a more inclusive approach to travel, and 2025 is set to see significant progress in this area.

76% of Indians believe travel options are limited for neurodivergent individuals.

70% of neurodivergent travellers have had negative travel experiences.

79% seek AI tools for personalised travel information and recommendations.

77% desire sensory rooms in airports and hotels.

75% prefer noise-cancelling options for a calmer travel experience.

78% want industry-wide initiatives to cater to neurodivergent needs.

Trend 8: Vintage Voyaging

Sustainability and careful budgeting are key focuses for 2025 and one trend reflecting this is “vintage voyaging.” Vacation wardrobes will get a makeover in 2025, as trendy Indians turn vintage voyagers, hitting thrift stores while on holiday to curate a more sustainable suitcase. So, why pack new when you can thrift your way?

68% of Indian travellers are interested in vacation shopping during their trips than before.

78% are tightening budgets to maximise travel experiences.

62% intending to be thriftier on their trips, finding bargain hidden gems in second-hand stores.

46% find better quality and value in vintage products abroad than at home.

42% buy vintage items during their travels because they find better bargains.

Trend 9: The Gate Escape

Gone are the days of arriving ‘just in time’ to avoid lingering in crowded lounges post-security, as Indian globetrotters reframe their 2025 vacation kick-off to embrace a new era of airport entertainment. This will be the year the airport takes its place in the limelight as travellers actively seek out destinations with the best airports.

84% of Indian travellers are interested in airports with unique experiences and facilities. 63% would choose destinations based on airport amenities.

Millennials and Gen Z are particularly interested in airport features like sleep pods (38% Millennials, 34% Gen Z), spas (39% both Millennials and Gen Z) and Michelin-star restaurants (27% Millennials, 23% Gen Z).

83% believe a wider array of airport facilities would reduce travel stress and the vacation would start long before boarding the plane.

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com said: “Travel in 2025 marks just the beginning of a more thoughtful, intentional approach to exploring the world. Travellers are no longer satisfied with traditional, cookie-cutter experiences. Instead, they’re seeking trips that defy conventions and align with their personal values – whether that’s sustainability, wellness or cultural immersion. Looking ahead, we can expect technology to further revolutionise how we plan and experience travel. The demand for responsible, regenerative travel will likely rise, pushing both travellers and the industry to rethink how we engage with the world around us. The future of travel is about forging deeper connections—personal, cultural and environmental — and they will continue to shape the way travellers explore in the years to come.”

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

The post From Noctourism to Multigen Megatrips to Boyz II Zen and Vintage Voyaging, here are a few travel predictions for 2025 appeared first on The CSR Journal.

The data spanning from January 2023 to August 2023 and January 2024 to August 2024 shows a substantial 17% increase in travel-related searches across India. Surprisingly, non-metro cities outpaced metro centres in terms of search activity, with a remarkable 129% increase in 2023 and 126% in 2024, indicating a growing interest in travel beyond major urban centres.

Several countries witnessed significant spikes in searches, including Israel (266%), the Gulf (105%), Europe (49%), Australia (47%), Japan (26%), Schengen (25%), and Turkey (23%). This demonstrates a growing desire among Indian travellers to explore diverse destinations around the world.

As Indian travellers explore a wider range of international destinations, the demand for professional guidance and comprehensive travel solutions has also surged. Among the most sought-after categories were travel agents, international travel agents, tour packages, and visa assistance. This indicates that travellers are seeking expert advice to navigate the complexities of international travel and ensure a seamless experience.

In 2024, searches of Visa assistance and tour packages for these foreign destinations were concentrated in specific regions. For instance, Israel was popular in Lucknow, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, while the Gulf was primarily searched in Mumbai. This regional preference highlights how travel interests vary across India, shaping localized demand for international destinations.

The growing interest in international travel, particularly to countries like Israel, despite recent news coverage, suggests a shift in consumer sentiment and a desire for unique experiences. This, coupled with the increasing number of Indian travellers exploring diverse destinations, indicates a positive outlook for the future of international tourism in India.

Disclaimer: This media release is auto-generated. The CSR Journal is not responsible for the content.

The post Indians increasingly turning to international destinations for leisure and exploration needs: Report appeared first on The CSR Journal.

This comprises of both a meal and a snacks option both on trains and at stations. IRCTC’s Economy Meals priced at Rs 20 are for those who are looking for a full course meal within a low budget, while the Snack Meals priced at Rs 50 are for those who are looking for something light to munch on during their journey.

Initiative will benefit Unreserved/General Compartment passengers

This initiative aims to benefit especially those passengers who are travelling in unreserved or general compartments of trains in the scorching summer months. These passengers often face challenges in accessing pocket-friendly and hygienic food options on the go. With this, they can opt for quality food at an affordable cost. This initiative has been introduced during summer keeping in mind the surge in the number of people travelling by train during this season.

Around 150 IRCTC meal counters will be set up in 100 select railway stations across India. These Economy/Snack meals can be purchased from these IRCTC counters which have been strategically located near located near general second class (GS) coaches on platforms. This will save the passengers’ time and efforts to search for vendors or venture outside the station for food during their journey.

Implementation during initial phase

After being successfully implemented at 51 stations across India last year, the IRCTC project is now being expanded to 100 select railway stations. Stations on the South Central Railway route, including Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Renigunta, Guntakal, Tirupati, Rajahmundry, Vikarabad, Pakala, Dhone, Nandyal, Purna, and Aurangabad, are among the initial locations where these meal counters have been set up, catering to the needs of passengers travelling on these routes.

The post IRCTC introduces Economy Meals for train travellers at only Rs 20 appeared first on The CSR Journal.

Culinary Tourism

Food Tourism also known as Culinary Tourism is enjoying an increasing popularity in India. As a result, Food Vlogging is on the rise. Culinary or Gastronomic Tourism refers to trips made to destinations where the local food and beverages are the main motivating factors for travel. In Culinary Tourism, a tourist explores culinary experiences of the place where they are travelling. Tourists flock to destinations just to experience certain kinds of cuisine.

India is home to a wide variety of regional cuisines, each with its own distinct flavour and history. Culinary tourism helps the traveller to know a place and its history better through its food. In a Food Tour, the traveller explores local restaurants, markets, and traditional eateries, where they get to taste local and regional flavours. In food tourism, the traveller also gets to learn about the ingredients and techniques used in cooking a specific item and the history behind a particular dish.

Weekend Getaways

Long weekend coming? Let’s do a road trip! Weekend Getaways are gaining popularity especially among India’s young working population, who prefer to visit nearby places by clubbing a day or two with a weekend or utilising a long weekend for travelling or even destinations which can be covered in just two days. The purpose is to shed the stress of work and come back to work with fresh mind the next week. Also, road trips are a preferred choice for many, which become convenient only while travelling to nearby places.

“Couples Google weekend getaways from the city and book tickets and stay online to visit that particular place just for 2-3 days. They also get to know about destinations through travel groups on WhatsApp and Facebook some of which are dedicated for destinations which can be covered during the weekend. We also organise tours in groups for weekend getaways in destinations closer to the city, which many people prefer because it is pocket-friendly option. Currently our weekend groups are more popular among senior citizens, couples with children and solo travellers than weeklong or 10-12 days trips,” said Kolkata-based tour operator Kaushik Chatterjee.

Pet-friendly accommodation

Most pet owners or ‘pet parents’ these days prefer to take their pets wherever they travel. Hence, the obvious choice is pet friendly accommodation like hotels, resorts, guest houses or homestays. Going with the growing demand, a lot of resorts, hotels and homestays in different parts of the country have started opening their doors to the four-legged in order to boost their business. Some of these also serve pet food and provide options like pet bathing and vet on call. Pet food plates, water bowls and outdoor play areas are also offered.

Off-beat destinations

Off-beat destinations are a preferred choice for many as opposed to traditional tourism destinations. Off-beat destinations are increasingly becoming popular thanks to travel vloggers who flood social media with videos of such places. Also, many people prefer off-beat locations in order to avoid popular tourist spots which are often crowded and they want to avoid the crowd. Also, off-beat destinations within the country are often pocket-friendly as compared to traditional vacation destinations.

Work while you Travel

The busy generation like to carry your work wherever they go. As a result, the ‘work while you travel’ option is on the rise with destinations which offer a perfect mix of work and leisure gaining prominence.

“I prefer accommodations which offer strong Wi-Fi network, comfortable chair or sofa in the room for sitting with my laptop, multiple plug points in different parts of the room for charging phone and laptop simultaneously and an outdoor garden area where I can relax with a cup of coffee as I work,” expressed Sumit Gupta, who works as a content writer.

“Work while you travel is not an option which works for everyone but for me it increases my productivity. This is because I can work with a calm mind sitting in the lap of nature and with nobody to disturb me unlike my busy office where I have to spend from the morning till the evening every day,” shared Corporate Professional Ritu Naik.

Wellness Tourism

Wellness Tourism is becoming a favourite among travellers, who look forward to making their vacations relaxing and to heal in the lap of nature. Holistic wellbeing is the main purpose for such travel. Ayurveda, Yoga, relaxing food and music, Luxury spa, pain and stress relieving massage, meditation and therapies for various purposes are explored by travellers on wellness tourism. Kerala, Goa, Mysuru, Bengaluru, Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Ladakh, Dharamshala and Igatpuri in Maharashtra are some of the preferred destinations for Wellness Tourism in India. Rishikesh, which is known as the Yoga Capital of the World is also a favourite among travellers.

Sustainable Travel

Digital travel company Booking.com released its ‘Sustainable Travel Report 2023’ in May last year. According to the report, Indian travellers are more open integrating sustainable thinking into their vacation planning than before. ‘Indian travellers are moving towards sustainable travel practices and are becoming more selective when deciding their accommodations and modes of transportation primarily due to the worsening effects of climate change and growing environmental awareness,’ the report says.

The company’s 8th annual Sustainable Travel Report, which gathered insights from over 33,000 travellers across 35 countries and territories, found that a majority of Indian travellers believe that by conserving resources now and being more sustainable, one can help save the planet. In a bid to save water, 55% travellers reuse their towels multiple times, with an aim to reduce, reuse and recycle, 57% brought their own reusable water bottles, while 52% individuals are utilising reusable bags, 44% practise recycling garbage while travelling. Taking conscious habits from home when travelling, 66% now turn off their air-conditioning when not in use.

Talking about transportation, 51% of Indian travellers now plan their sightseeing so that they can walk, use bicycles or take public transportation, which is essential for ecotourism. Additionally, ‘buy local’ is also a popular mantra among travellers.

Ahana Bhattacharya can be reached at ahana@thecsrjournal.in

The post National Tourism Day 2024: Exploring latest travel trends in India appeared first on The CSR Journal.

Why are travel vlogs popular

Travel content enjoys immense popularity on social media and the reasons can be multiple. Some vloggers use professional cameras and even drones to capture breathtaking visuals of the nature, some vloggers choose destinations which are popular while some prefer aesthetic destinations close to nature and not much explored, focusing on mountains, jungles, waterfalls or the night sky, some make use of nice music which goes perfectly with the content and we sit and watch these videos as per our preference.

Provide multiple options

Even though travel vlogs are the latest trend on social media and are immensely popular, but do these really help to attract tourists to a particular destination? Do travel vlogs supply necessary and adequate information to viewers about a certain destination? Do these videos actually pull tourists to a certain destination and contribute in boosting tourism?

Kolkata-based Samrat Lahiri, a Software Developer by profession is also a passionate and frequent traveller. The 28-year-old keeps exploring destinations within the country and even abroad in between work. Answering our question, Samrat said, “Traveling is my passion and I am an explorer at heart. In order to plan for a trip, I usually do immense research on social media. In most of the cases I go through vlogs, articles, Wikipedia, Google Maps, Instagram and YouTube. The video blogging plays an important role in visualising the place and the terrain. There have been times when I have had to spend more time on filtering the contents through vlogging. There may be 100 plus travel videos based on a particular destination. But it is very important, especially for a traveller like me to understand which of these videos are more useful to my taste. I keep watching vlogs where the vloggers focus on either sharing more information or the beauty of the place. These videos certainly provide me with multiple options for selecting my next trip destination. However, sometimes, it can be annoying for a travel enthusiast when a vlogger focuses the camera more on their face instead of showing the place around.”

Help in planning trips

“I am a frequent traveller and love to travel, hence watch a lot of vlogs on YouTube and instagram. What helps me most in watching these vlogs is planning my itinerary and getting knowledge about the place where I am visiting. This helps me to plan my trip in a better way. I won’t say I use it for selecting a destination as I generally have my destinations planned and watch videos of those places only to learn details and plan for the trip,” expressed Mumbai-based NGO professional Arijeeta Basu.

Often lack information

Instead of sharing adequate useful information about a particular destination, most vloggers tend to focus on their own experience while making a vlog, except a few, observes Mumbai-based Banker Mayukh Banerjee.

“I always believed that traveling keeps you grounded. It gives you a feeling of how small you are in this enormous world. Often, we do travel to free our minds but always end up finding our souls. However nowadays Travel Vlogging has been a new talk of the town. Though I find a few Vloggers unique, most of the others are very clichéd and stereotyped. Most of those turn out to be a documentary of their visit rather than being an informative show piece of the places,” he shared.

Help in research

“I am into travelling and I do watch a lot of travel vlogs. I went to Spiti in June and I did check out a couple of vlogs on Spiti to understand the acclimatisation process, what to pack and what not. However, I am selective about the content that I watch. I watch only vlogs made by certain content creators who I feel are genuine because nowadays everybody is travelling. A lot of places, the way these vlogs show don’t seem that great when you go there physically, speaking from my experience. But yes, these vlogs are really important especially when you are trying to research about a particular place,” shared Gurugram-based marketing professional Titas Mazumder.

Can be misleading

While travel vlogs can be informative and entertaining, some of these also mislead the viewer with exaggerated content, expressed Jalpaiguri-based Professor of Sociology, Dr, Shreya Ganguly.

Talking to The CSR Journal, Dr. Ganguly said, “I do enjoy watching travel vlogs and sometimes I plan my trip as well getting influenced by the vlogs. At times, we get to know about unexplored, offbeat places through social media Vlogs. These help to gather information regarding places, historical backgrounds of these places and so on which ignite interests among viewers to visit those places. Vlogs also helps to provide business opportunities to people of remote areas which in a way give them better livelihood. But there are a few negative sides of these vlogs which I have noticed. Sometimes paid reviews through travel vlogs can be misleading and to get more views the content is exaggerated. Many vloggers focus more on hotels for advertisement purpose rather showing the place around, which can be annoying.

Can misguide viewers

While these vlogs initially hep to attract tourists but in most of the cases, these can be misguiding, feels Saibal Pathak, Owner and Director of Kolkata-based tour agency ‘Nature Camp Travels’.

Saibal explained, “These days, many people with no experience of vlogging or knowledge about a particular place goes to a certain place with a camera or smartphone and comes up with a half-baked video, which does not educate the viewer about that place. Vloggers often go to a place one time and tend to highlight a certain hotel or homestay where he/she is staying in and the contact details of a certain car they rented. While they do offer visuals of certain tourist attractions in that particular place but often fail to provide necessary information which can be useful for tourists. People often watch videos and come to us asking for details of a particular place which vlogs fail to provide. And as I said, these vlogs can be misguiding. Recently, someone called me enquiring about where to stay in Tiger Hill after watching a vlog, while the reality is that you cannot stay at the Tiger Hill, you can only put up at hotels nearby.”

Ahana Bhattacharya can be reached at ahana@thecsrjournal.in

The post World Tourism Day 2023: Do travel vlogs on social media help to boost tourism appeared first on The CSR Journal.

The company’s 8th annual Sustainable Travel Report, which gathered insights from over 33,000 travellers across 35 countries and territories, highlights a dilemma where people often feel forced to choose between cutting costs and making sustainable travel choices. While some people have the perception that sustainable travel options are too expensive, there are others who are willing to pay more for the same.

Sustainable travel behaviour

It has been observed that despite financial barriers there is a demand for sustainable options among travellers. On a micro level, the responsible traveller is showing sustainable travel behaviours such as turning off lights and air conditioners when not in use and reusing their towels and water bottles. Travellers are also opting for sustainable transport and shopping local from small, independent stores.

At a macro level, sustainable trends point to an increase in purposeful travel in 2023, with travellers finding more meaningful ways to spend their money. They are carving out regenerative experiences that positively impact destinations with benefits to wildlife, conservation and the local community, and engaging in local philanthropy.

Need to act now

In the survey conducted by the company, 74% participants believe in the necessity to act now in making more sustainable travel choices in order to save the planet. At least 80 % travellers emphasised on the importance of sustainable travel with residents of India, Philippines, Kenya and Vietnam leading the way.

Looking for incentives

With an increasing number of travelers feeling the pinch, they are seeking more sustainable travel options rich in rewards, with the need for incentivisation. At least 49% travellers want discounts and economic incentives to opt for eco-friendly options while 42% people would be encouraged to travel sustainably with reward points for making more sustainable choices.

Looking for options

It has been observed in the study that that at least 65% travellers would feel better about staying in a particular accommodation if they knew it had a sustainable certification or label. However, while 74% travellers want travel companies to offer more sustainable travel choices, 51% believe there are not enough sustainable travel options and 44% of travellers don’t know where to find more sustainable options.

While 75% travellers seek authentic experiences that are representative of the local culture, 40% don’t know how or where to find tours and activities that will ensure they give back to the local community.

Sustainable steps taken at home

Not only sustainable travel behaviour, the respondents have also spoken about their eco-friendly steps taken at home. These include opting for reusable shopping bags and water bottles, recycling waste, refusing single plastic, opting for public transport or bicycle over car, buying local, eating plant-based or vegetarian diet.

Trend among Indian travellers

The study found that a majority of Indian travellers believe that by conserving resources now and being more sustainable, one can help save the planet. In a bid to save water, 55% travellers reuse their towels multiple times, with an aim to reduce, reuse and recycle, 57% brought their own reusable water bottles, while 52% individuals are utilising reusable bags, 44% practise recycling garbage while travelling.

Indians are taking several sustainability-related actions as their environmental consciousness grows. Taking conscious habits from home when travelling, 66% now turn off their air-conditioning when not in use. Indian travellers are moving towards sustainable travel practices and are becoming more selective when deciding their accommodations and modes of transportation primarily due to the worsening effects of climate change and growing environmental awareness.

Talking about transportation, 51% of Indian travellers now plan their sightseeing so that they can walk, use bicycles or take public transportation, which is essential for ecotourism. Additionally, taking the ‘buy local’ ideology is also a popular mantra among travellers.

Nearly 44% of Indian travellers are asking for discounts and financial incentives to choose eco-friendly options. Additionally, it has been found that 53% of people would be motivated to travel more sustainably if they were given reward points for selecting sustainable options.

Goal of being net-zero by 2040

“Our ambition is to create a more sustainable business, as well as contribute to a more sustainable travel industry. This will take time, cooperation and systemic changes. With regards to our own business, in 2022 we set out our ambition to be net-zero by 2040 as part of our Climate Action Plan, aligning our emission reduction roadmap to the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTI). As such, our aim is to achieve a 95% reduction in scope 1 and 2 emissions and a 50% reduction in scope 3 emissions by 2030 and to reach net-zero by 2040.

When it comes to our platform and the impact we are striving to have across the travel industry, our Travel Sustainable program now recognizes the sustainability efforts of more than 500,000 accommodations worldwide. We are encouraged by the number of our accommodation partners that are taking steps to operate more sustainably, but there is more work to be done to make it easier for travelers to find and book more sustainable options across the entire travel experience,” shared Glenn Fogel, CEO, Booking.com.

Conclusion

The report observes that as compared to even a year ago, awareness has increased among tourists worldwide with many opting for sustainable travel choices even at a higher cost. At the same time, tourists are taking eco-friendly steps like saving energy, reduce-resuse-recycle, refusing single use plastic and buying local while travelling and also at home. However, it has also been observed that in the present scenario many travellers are being forced to choose between cost-cutting and making sustainable travel choices.

‘While travellers recognise the critical nature of climate change, there is still some disconnect between impact and action. From limited data to a perceived lack of credible options, this report exposes barriers to travelling more sustainably and the huge strides travel providers need to make in order to gain their trust. Ultimately, building a truly sustainable industry will take time, but progress is underway to ensure that it’s becoming easier for everyone to experience the world in a more mindful and responsible way,’ says the report.

The post Booking.com’s Sustainable Travel Report 2023 reveals increasing awareness and urge among tourists to go eco-friendly appeared first on The CSR Journal.

The tourism industry has experienced perhaps its all time worst phase during the worldwide Covid-19 pandemic. It has been extremely difficult for hoteliers, resort/homestay owners, airlines, travel agents, car/bus on rent owners and others associated with the tourism industry to survive and sustain.

However, there is a flip side to everything! Looking at that, there has been a boost among domestic tourism in the post-pandemic months. And none other than Jammu & Kashmir, also called ‘The Paradise on Earth’ has emerged as the winner!

On National Tourism Day 2023, Mr Anil Punjabi, Chairman (Eastern Chapter), Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) opens up to The CSR Journal about the same.

Jammu & Kashmir tourists’ hot cake

A big change has come regarding travel preferences among Indian tourists, all thanks to the Covid- 19 pandemic. People, who would earlier travel only international, have started exploring domestic destinations. Which destinations are currently the preferred choices among Indian tourists?

“People nowadays mostly prefer open areas like the beaches and forests. They are booking resorts, villas and homestays which are open and spacious as compared to enclosed spaces like hotels, which allow them to breathe and move around freely. Hills have always been popular; they are getting even more popular now even in winter months. However, the place which steals the show is Jammu & Kashmir. Bookings for J&K are selling like hot cakes! Tourists, who have been to Switzerland but never explored in India, are also rushing to J&K,” Anil Punjabi told The CSR Journal.

Why domestic

Explaining why domestic tourism is gaining popularity in India, Mr Punjabi revealed, “It started with tourists being forced to travel domestic just after the second wave, but now they are happy to travel inside India. Also, domestic is safer, cheaper and you don’t need documents or visa, which makes it hassle-free and hence a preferred choice for many tourists. Earlier, people who would make 2-3 international trips in a year are now taking time out for domestic travel also and dividing their trips accordingly. We have also started schemes like EMI payment etc to attract more travellers, as it becomes convenient from them also.”

How tourism suffered amid Covid- 19

“When the pandemic started, we were the first to be hit and last to be cured,” expressed the TAFI spokesperson. He added, “Bookings were closed, everything came to a standstill. Visa offices, airlines everything were closed. We suffered a lot because tickets were already issued, people had made advance bookings for tours and packages. Millions of rupees got blocked this way. This started in 2020 and went on till at least 15-18 months. During that time, we held on to our offices and staff as much as possible. Then we started a chartered flights ambulance service just to survive and serve those in crisis.”

Selling domestic to survive

“Gradually when India’s borders started opening, we started selling domestic tourism, which we were not doing pre-covid, because our focus is mainly on international tourism. The way people started rushing to destinations, it seemed as if they are taking a revenge on the condition they have been in for the last few months. They just wanted to go out anyhow,” Mr Punjabi expressed with a smile.

A better picture in 2022

In 2022, things started looking better for the tourism industry. Talking about the same, he said, “In the initial months, most of the borders and visa offices started opening up. Till summer we got good business from eastern part of India, which we didn’t get in the last two years. The fares went up but one segment of people was ready to pay any amount of fare just for travelling. Hence, things went absolutely good for tourism till early 2022.”

2023 Covid scare and RT-PCR test

With again Covid- 19 death reports emerging from China, international travel is experiencing an uncertainty due to panic among travellers. RT-PCR (Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction) testing at airports has also resumed for people flying to India from certain countries.

Quizzed on the same, the TAFI Chairman (Eastern Chapter) replied, “What we are facing in the last few weeks is some problem happening in the Far East and South-East Asia regarding Covid coming up again. When such kinds of news appear, people become a little apprehensive about travelling. They want to wait and watch. Even though there is nothing to panic but even if a few cases are found, international travel is impacted.”

“Also, RT-PCR test has started in several countries since 1st January. People coming from China, South Korea, Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong and Thailand to India, need to do an RTPCR test before flying. This is irrespective of whether they have been vaccinated or not. Once they land here, they might have to undergo a random test if required,” he further informed.

Travelling out of panic

With the apprehension of international travel stopping once again and rumours of lockdown doing the rounds on social media, many people are booking holidays out of panic. “With lockdown rumours in the air, some people are rushing to places like Thailand or Goa, with the apprehension that they might not be able to travel if there is a lockdown once again. But in reality, there is no lockdown coming at least in India and we need to understand that,” expressed Mr Punjabi.

He also shared that there is absolutely no reason for Indians to panic at the moment. “We keep telling our travellers that there is nothing to panic if you follow the protocol like wearing mask, maintaining social distancing, sanitizing your hands etc. This is because rumours spread at a faster speed than what actually happens.”

New flights to India

“However, we are expecting normalcy in the coming couple of weeks. A lot of airlines are looking forward to add flights to India and reinstate flights which were stopped due to the pandemic. Cities like Mumbai and Delhi are getting new flights because the demand is very high. So, the business looks good for the upcoming season,” optimism in his tone.

Message on National Tourism Day 2023

Mr Anil Punjabi signed off with a message for all on the occasion of National Tourism Day 2023. He said, “When you work, you make money, but when you travel, you become rich. While traveling you get exposure to our beautiful country and picturesque destinations across the world, which also allow you to learn a lot. And learning is earning!”

Ahana Bhattacharya can be reached at ahana@thecsrjournal.in

The post National Tourism Day 2023: Jammu & Kashmir is the new tourist hotspot post pandemic appeared first on The CSR Journal.

‘–Make optimal use of environmental resources that constitute a key element in tourism development, maintaining essential ecological processes and helping to conserve natural heritage and biodiversity.

Respect the socio-cultural authenticity of host communities, conserve their built and living cultural heritage and traditional values, and contribute to inter-cultural understanding and tolerance.

Ensure viable, long-term economic operations, providing socio-economic benefits to all stakeholders that are fairly distributed, including stable employment and income-earning opportunities and social services to host communities, and contributing to poverty alleviation.’

They also suggest that ‘Sustainable tourism should also maintain a high level of tourist satisfaction and ensure a meaningful experience to the tourists, raising their awareness about sustainability issues and promoting sustainable tourism practices amongst them.’

What is the status of sustainable tourism in India in the present day? Is the demand for sustainable tourism increasing? What are the challenges towards practicing sustainable tourism in our country? In an exclusive conversation with The CSR Journal, Saibal Pathak, Owner and Director of Kolkata-based tour agency ‘Nature Camp Travels’, answers all our questions.

What is sustainable tourism

Saibal Pathak told The CSR Journal, “We started promoting sustainable tourism since 2011. At that time many people did not know the difference between normal tourism and sustainable tourism. However, awareness is increasing these days but still many people do not understand the concept, especially in the eastern part of India. In Southern states like Karnataka and Kerala, you can see a several good sustainable tourism destinations.”

“Using minimal fuel, saving on electricity these are important. Conservation of energy and resources is a major part of eco-tourism. Rain water harvesting has been started in several properties of India, especially in hilly areas and several places in Kerala. People are also installing solar at their properties. But not many people understand this concept,” he explained.

‘Eco’ in name, marketing gimmick?

Sustainable or eco-tourism does not happen just by including the word ‘eco’ in a property’s name. Explaining the same, the travel expert said, “We have observed a trend these days that several hotels and resorts include the word ‘eco’ to their name, for example, ‘xyz eco resort’ or ‘abc eco hotel’. However, one needs to understand that you cannot offer sustainable tourism just by adding the word ‘eco’ to your name.

I have seen several such resorts which have an ‘eco’ in their name but do not have any eco-friendly features or services. Many of them do not even know what it means. For them, it’s just a marketing gimmick. But this way, you are misguiding the tourists.”

Lack of awareness among tourists

A lot of tourists at the same time do not know much about the concept of sustainable tourism. Elaborating on that, he shared, “Many travellers who visit such properties are unfortunately not completely aware of what ‘eco-tourism’ actually is. The things which they ask for while staying in a property, do not always match with the concept of eco-tourism.

For example, normally when tourists visit a guest house or home stay, the first things they look for are AC, generator service, television inside the room, all these do not go with eco-tourism. Many tourists even go to the washroom and start washing their clothes wasting a lot of water.”

“You cannot blame anyone here. It is just the lack of awareness on behalf of hoteliers, home stay owners, resort owners as well as tourists.,” he regrets.

Taking a bold step

Pathak, who has an experience of 15 years in the travel and tourism industry, says sustainable tourism choices may not impress every kind of tourists (people who are less aware about sustainability) but it is the task of the tour agencies to spread that awareness among them.

He expressed, “If you want to transform your property into a sustainable tourism destination, then you must take the plunge without thinking whether some tourists will like the concept or not. If one set of tourists are not attracted by the concept, it will surely impress many other groups. Think like this, I have come to enjoy the natural beauty of this destination. I don’t need a television inside my hotel/resort/homestay room. We all have television at our homes. Why not enjoy the natural beauty of the surroundings from your window instead or chitchat with your family or friends if you’re travelling in group?”

Work from travel

With increasing digitization in the current age, many tourists have started carrying their work to their travel destinations. Talking about the same, the tour planner said, “Just like the concept of work from home became popular since the Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of people who like to combine their work and travel prefer to work while they are travelling in mountains and jungles. This trend is gradually setting in. However, we do not completely support this concept, because in hills and mountains there is network connectivity issue for phone and internet. If this trend starts growing, then more and more service providers will try to install mobile towers and work on boosting internet connectivity in such peaceful places close to nature thereby disturbing the natural peace of the region, cutting down trees and disturbing the wildlife.”

“If you travel abroad, you will see many national parks with jammers installed because they don’t want the wildlife to get disturbed by mobile phone noise and too much talking. Unfortunately, in our country, we still cannot think this way,” he said with a tone of regret.

Littering tourist destinations

Littering is a hindrance for sustainable tourism practice. Talking about the same, Pathak expressed, “Littering in beautiful tourist destinations is still a practice with a certain section of tourists and the highest amount of waste you will find is plastic, in the form of food wrappers, soft drinks or mineral water bottles. Some destinations like the Sikkim silk route, Sandakphu etc. were gradually turning into a garbage dump.

Thankfully, with increased awareness, due to awareness programs and social media shaming, this practice is reducing as compared to what the scenario was even 10 years ago. The government and local governing bodies of a certain place, especially a place that thrives on tourism, should ensure that their tourist destinations are free from litter, which Meghalaya has done.”

“However, no amount of effort can bring the change unless the tourists themselves are conscious and aware that I will not throw waste here and there,” he observed.

Spreading awareness

“We had started our sustainable tourism journey from the mountains. Our aim was to boost sustainable tourism in small villages in the Eastern Himalayan region, villages belonging to communities like Rai, Limbu, Gurung etc. We started by collaborating with these communities and train them about sustainable tourism and how to make their home stays sustainable. At that time, most of these villages were unexplored, but they have started gaining popularity in the recent times,” the Nature Camp Travels Founder recalled.

“Nowadays we suggest a lot of property owners to plant a small jungle around the property instead of a garden, which will attract birds. It is important to understand the basic eco-system. We also keep spreading awareness about sustainable tourism via social media because this is the future,” the tour operator informed.

“The pandemic has brought out our inner frustration for not being able to travel, for not being able to breathe in the midst of nature. You are going to spend some time in the lap of nature because you are tired of the suffocating life in the city and you need a temporary break from the rat race. So just forget television, mobile phone and internet for a few days and be one with nature!” he signed off.

Ahana Bhattacharya can be reached at ahana@thecsrjournal.in

The post Sustainable tourism: Lack of awareness and other challenges appeared first on The CSR Journal.