Chennaiites looking forward to domestic outings over next six months, says study

Be it for work or a personal vacation, Chennaiites are waiting for the COVID-19 numbers across the nation and the world to decline before stepping out for a well-deserved trip.

The study, published by InterMiles, states that 63 per cent of Chennaiites are looking forward to travelling domestically and 25 per cent internationally over the next six months. While domestic travel is more preferred, with 11 per cent stating that they’re ready to leave within the next month itself, international travel plans will be put on hold until a vaccine is developed.

“Given the pandemic, travellers would prefer opting for destinations that minimize not just transit time but also exposure to external elements and crowds. This reflects strongly in the report, where 45 per cent respondents were open to domestic destinations easily accessible by air vis-à-vis a mere seven per cent for international long haul which would potentially include multiple layovers and increased travel time,” said Kaushal Satam, SVP, product & operations, InterMiles.

This is seen in the case of locals, many of whom have taken short trips to surrounding areas like Mahabalipuram for a weekend. A few have also travelled to their hometowns to visit family and friends once travel restrictions opened up.

“I shifted to Kodaikanal a month ago and am staying with a friend. Since everything is work from home, I thought it would be nice to have a change of atmosphere and scenery. I’m surrounded by mountains and trees while I work, and that’s a huge stress-buster with the demands of work from home. The only issue is Wi-Fi connectivity, which is a little shaky,” said a resident of Velachery, currently in Kodaikanal.

For those looking at international travel, their travel plans are more aspirational, due to travel restrictions across the globe. Many prefer closer destinations with a strong COVID response from governing bodies.

“I want to go to Bali as soon as things settle down with my family and friends. It’s cheap and close by, and there are many safe and hygienic places to stay. It’s going to take a long time before we can actually go, because of travel restrictions and safety, but it’s something to look forward to after all we’ve gone through during the lockdown. It’s something that I can plan for when I’m feeling down,” said a resident of RA Puram.