Everything You Need to Know About Leisure Travel

Posted on: Jan 10, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

Everything You Need to Know About Leisure Travel

Leisure travel has taken the global tourism industry by storm. It basically refers to a type of vacation one takes in their free time, with the sole purpose of their own amusement and pleasure. People usually use their allotted vacation time for leisure travel, giving them a much-needed break from their daily hectic work schedule. Go through this page to learn more about leisure travel.

According to the WTM Global Travel Report, which was released on November 7th, 2023, and was made in association with Oxford Economics, more and more individuals are prioritising the aspect of leisure travel in their voluntary spending list. The report also predicts that the demand for this type of travel will remain strong in the coming year, that is 2024. It means leisure travel is a rapidly growing segment with lots of potential and has a significant positive impact on global tourism, including the tourists and the destinations they visit. So, get your passport, visa and overseas travel insurance ready and set sail to a new destination to make lifelong memories.

Factors driving leisure travel growth

There are tons of factors behind the growth of leisure travel, such as;

1. Rapid digitisation and globalisation:

One of the primary driving factors behind the impressive growth and steady demand for leisure travel is the advancement in technology. Nowadays, you can find online platforms and mobile apps which let you easily access information about travel destinations, compare prices, look at reviews and book tours.

2. Government initiatives:

Many local governments across the globe are also actively promoting tourism in their sectors. They are also implementing various tourist-friendly policies and giving accessible visa facilities, drawing in more tourists.

3. Rise in disposable income:

The rise in disposable income among individuals across the globe is another crucial driving factor behind the climb in demand for leisure travel.

4. Budget-friendly:

The availability of budget-friendly tourist destinations and low-cost transfer methods have also influenced many individuals to spend on leisure travel in recent years.

On top of that, affordable overseas travel insurance helps interested travellers keep their trip budget in check by offering financial coverage against unforeseen events, such as baggage delays, luggage loss, flight delays, etc.

Popular destinations and experiences

There are tons of suitable holiday destinations for different types of leisure travel, including all-inclusive package tours, adventure tours, eco-travel, cultural tours, etc. Here is a list of some of the most trending holiday destinations you can consider visiting as a part of your luxury experiential travel;

1. Bangkok

Bangkok, in Thailand, is one of the most trending destinations for leisure travel. The city is dotted with massive skyscrapers, bustling markets, rooftop bars, sites of historical and religious importance, beautiful parks and lots more. Tourists from around the globe love to travel to Bangkok for the purpose of leisure and entertainment.

Leisure travel experiences to check out: Relax at Lumphini Park, pay your respects at Wat Pho, explore the local markets, enjoy the nightlife, check out the local street food, etc.

2. Rome

Rome, in Italy, is another renowned leisure travel destination that you can consider visiting. It is an ideal place for tourists looking to learn more about the region’s thousands of years old history, culture and art. Depending on your travel needs, you can look for multi-trip or single trip travel insurance to protect your holidays against emergency medical expenses, trip delays, loss of passport, and other unanticipated events.

Leisure travel experiences to check out: Visit the Colosseum and other tourist attractions, check out the local bars and cafes, attend a live music show/event, experience Rome’s nightlife, etc.

3. Da Nang

Tourists looking for ideal destinations in Southeast Asia for leisure travel often go with Vietnam. Da Nang is a popular city in Vietnam, known for its remarkable scenic beauty, thriving nightlife, pristine beaches and much more.

Leisure travel experiences to check out: Walk across the popular Golden Bridge, take on the Marble Mountains climb, spend a relaxing day at My Khe Beach, etc.

4. Dubai

When it comes to luxury experiential travel destinations, Dubai, in UAE, stands out the most. The city is filled with a diverse range of attractions, most of which are aimed towards fulfilling luxurious vacation needs. From offering scope for thrilling adventure activities to a fine dining experience at a world-class restaurant, Dubai is indeed one of the most popular leisure travel destinations that many have on their bucket list.

Leisure travel experiences to check out: Enjoy shopping, desert safaris, beach trips, theme park visits, luxury dining and spa experiences, etc.

Challenges and opportunities

Despite the growth in demand for leisure travel, the sector also faces a variety of challenges due to;

1. Growing geopolitical disruption:

The growing geopolitical conflict in various places across the globe is one of the main challenges in the leisure travel sector. It has caused tourists to avoid visiting certain destinations and made many places inaccessible.

2. Inflation:

To tackle the issue of rising inflation, many travel brands and companies have raised the prices of their services. It has affected the willingness of many customers, resulting in less expenditure on leisure travel.

3. The poor state of tourism infrastructure:

The poor tourism infrastructure in some developing tourist destinations, especially after being struck hard by the pandemic, is also one of the critical challenges faced by the leisure travel sector and tourism in general.

Despite these, many new approaches are being taken to tackle such challenges on a global basis. Many believe technological innovations, like virtual reality, NFC technology, AI, etc., will play a key role in helping the leisure travel sector improve and stay on a steady growth path. travel insurance helps you easily tackle unforeseen events like flight delays, trip cancellations, checked-in baggage loss, etc., during your trip.

Future outlook

The future trends and innovations expected to be introduced and implemented in the leisure travel sector are massively dependent on technology. For example, robot technology is expected to be used in hotels or restaurants to help guests by providing information, carrying luggage, etc. AI Chatbot is a great example of such a key innovation with a significant impact on leisure travel and tourism in general. Improved cybersecurity measures are also expected to help travel companies and customers in a great way. Also, personalisation will play a key role in promoting the idea of leisure travel among the masses. Tailored travel services and products will help customers get ideal recommendations.

Conclusion:

The popularity of leisure travel and its massive impact on global tourism is truly impressive. Following the pandemic, it has been on steady growth and is expected to grow bigger in the near future. Despite facing certain challenges, it has many factors driving its growth and innovations for improvements. This kind of travel will always have a worldwide appeal, allowing tourists to explore new places, fun experiences, and get tons of other benefits. If you like travelling for leisure, consider investing in overseas travel insurance to stay financially covered in a variety of situations, like emergency dental and medical expenses, baggage-related hassles and journey-related inconveniences during the trip.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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