British Airways reveals it’s first-ever “Travel Habit Survey” for the travellers from India. In February to March 2016, British Airways conducted the research across selected countries in Asia Pacific and asked over 500 Indian participants about their travel habits.
Twenty-four per cent of Indian travellers picked Paris, France as the top dream destination in Europe followed closely by 20 per cent choosing London in the UK. Paris also tops the dreams destinations list for travellers from China, Hong Kong Japan, Korea and Singapore.
The online survey also reveals that iconic English footballer, David Beckham, is travellers from India’s first choice of British celebrity for a flying companion (32 per cent). In fact, David Beckham has also topped the lists in China, Hong Kong, Japan and Korea. Other popular flying companion choices among travellers from India included Harry Potter actress and model, Emma Watson (29 per cent), who is also the favourite flying companion choice in Japan, Korea and Singapore whereas James Bond actor, Daniel Craig, came in third with 24 per cent.
Interestingly, nearly half (48 per cent) of the Indian participants were inspired to visit the UK following popular British movie James Bond, 42 per cent and 34 per cent of the respondents said they find their travel inspiration from Harry Potter and Sherlock Holmes respectively. Travellers from China, Japan, South Korea and Singapore also voted Harry Potter is ‘the’ British movies that would inspire them to travel to the UK.
Compared with the other countries, India were the most family focused. Sixty-four per cent of Indians feel that the availability of family fun activities is the most important factor when choosing a holiday destination. Travellers from India also said that they will choose destinations based on historical landmarks and if the destinations come with great shopping choices.
When asked about their airport shopping preferences, most Indians said that they liked to buy food and drink items when they are travelling (27 per cent). While designer clothes and jewellery are close second for women (nine per cent and 10 per cent respectively), male travellers said that they liked buying perfumes or colognes (15 per cent) from the airport stores.
Moran Birger, Regional General Manager, South Asia, British Airways said, “The survey has revealed some very interesting insights about India’s leisure and business travellers. At British Airways, it is our constant endeavour to give our customers the best possible experience with us. The findings from the survey will help us to focus on making flying even better for our customers from India.”
Results from the survey also showed; over half of the participant give high priority to the availability of restaurants and cafes when picking a new destination to visit. Around 41 per cent picked Oxford Street as the top shopping destination in London. Thirty per cent of respondents look for designer outlet malls for discounted luxury goods.
