The New Age Traveller And The Growth Of Indian Tourism

The travel and tourism secotr generated  14.1 trillion ($208.9 billion) in 20169, in comparison to 24,241 crore during 1998-99. This sum is equivalent to 9.6% of India's GDP.

- Varsha Singh & Ayantika Halder

In the 1990s, before planning any trip Vidyut Sharma, a resident of Kolkata, had to go and stand in long queues to book a train ticket. After that would be the hassle of reserving hotel and arranging tours, haggling with vendors and hoping he doesn’t get cheated. This would involve a lot of running around and span several days. Dial down to 2017, he can plan an entire trip with just a click of the mouse or flick of his fingers. Online planning and the booking of a trip averages just 49 minutes and involves research through online travel agencies (OTAs), search engines, and Google maps, according to a GoogleBoston Consulting Group (BCG) report. “Travelling in the 1990s was a hectic event. Before planning a trip we had to do a lot of research by asking people who had earlier been to the travel destination we were wanting to go. We had to take full responsibility of the needs of our family. But after 20 years, I feel that even my 15-year-old grandson can plan a trip. Things are much easier these days. I wish the power of technology was there during our time as well. I would have travelled more, seen many more places,” said Mr. Sharma.

With the growth of online travel sites and the formation of more active, aware, and engaged travellers, the Indian tourism industry has grown exponentially and ranks 7th in the world in terms of its total contribution to the country’s GDP, according to a new report by World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). The travel and tourism sector generated ₹14.1 trillion ($208.9 billion) in 2016, in comparison to