Booking.com reveals that 63% of Indian travellers will be willing to quarantine in destinations as long as they can work remotely. Indian travellers are second on the list just after Thailand which is at 69%. Travel platforms and places to stay will prioritise showcasing home office necessities and Wi-Fi speed in an attempt to attract this new wave of digital nomads.
Likewise, the world of corporate travel will see increasing demand for privacy, cleanliness and longer stays among those traveling for business, requiring alternative accommodations to seriously up their ‘work-friendly’ game.
Now that people may have the freedom to work from wherever they choose, 2021 could bring a significant rise in travellers looking to take longer trips that combine work and leisure. 63% of Indian travellers said they would take the opportunity to extend any business trip so that they could schedule in some leisure time. Many are also likely to add a week or two to their holiday in order to work remotely.
With an aim to meet such evolving travel needs, Booking.com has introduced weekly and monthly rate plans on the platform. These rate plans will not only benefit travellers who are looking for an extended getaway, but also accommodation partners to capitalize on new sources of demand while boosting occupancy and increasing revenue as the travel industry begins its recovery journey.
While working from home has its perks, over 68% of Indian travellers already considered booking somewhere to stay for a welcome change of scenery. This is much higher than the global average of 37%. These travellers are mostly looking for accommodation that has home office facilities, fast Wi-Fi and most importantly, a spectacular view or cosy area to help make the work day fly by.
Commenting on the findings of the research, Ritu Mehrotra, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka and Maldives at Booking.com said, “Remote working is becoming a long term reality as health and safety is a top priority in the current environment. To break the monotony of working from home, travellers want to escape to a destination where they can easily blend leisure with business. In response to this trend, Booking.com has introduced a work-friendly programme which offers work-friendly alternative accommodations like homes and apartments for both business and leisure travellers looking to work remotely. In order to make it easier for travellers looking to extend their holiday and find what they are looking for, Booking.com has also updated its search experience, including filters for customers looking for private, whole home accommodations. We are also committed to providing flexibility around cancellation policies for travellers, to cater to their travel demands amid uncertainty.”
