Tag Archives: Booking.com

91% of Indian LGBTQ+ travellers consider personal safety as paramount while choosing a destination: Booking.com

Booking.com’s most extensive LGBTQ+ travel research to date spotlights the steady progress, as well as the recent setbacks, for these communities when it comes to travel. Despite the travel industry’s growing recognition of the scope and variety of LGBTQ+ experiences, divisive political decisions from the past year have hindered efforts to eliminate challenges and prioritize safety. Now in its third year the survey highlighted that 91% of Indian LGBTQ+ travellers report that they must consider their personal safety and well-being when choosing a destination (a significant increase from 70% last year). This concern is particularly high among intersex (90%), genderfluid (90%), transfeminine (89%), and transmasculine (87%) travellers.

The study reveals that mainstream news, including stories about current major international sporting and musical events as well as celebrity and corporate sponsorships, has brought discriminatory laws and viewpoints into the public eye for many, influencing decisions about where to travel. Nearly 78% of Indian respondents acknowledge that news stories about attitudes, discrimination and violence towards people who identify as LGBTQ+ have had a significant influence on their decision about where to travel.

A Regressive Revolution
The LGBTQ+ community is yet to experience the adage-travel has no boundaries, as there are still 64 countries that criminalize same-sex relationships, with 11 nations levying the death penalty on them. An overwhelming 80% of respondents in India asserted that such destinations are entirely off their radar. Even after booking their trips, LGBTQ+ travellers in India remain vigilant, with 62% of LGBTQ+ individuals and 63% of transgender people having cancelled a trip in the past year after seeing a destination not supporting those who identify as LGBTQ+. This rearward approach questions the personal safety of the community when planning a voyage.

The next major issue that makes travelling uncomfortable and stressful for them is the pervasive discrimination faced by LGBTQ+ individuals throughout the entire expedition. Going by the survey results, a majority of respondents, 79%, reported facing discrimination, and the figures rose to 86% for transfeminine and 83% for transmasculine travellers.

• 33% of respondents have experienced stereotyping.
• 29% of LGBTQ+ travellers have been gazed at, giggled at, or verbally abused by fellow wanderers.
• 27% of respondents have been threatened or unnerved by local law enforcement.

Although travel is often associated with freedom and self-expression, several LGBTQ+ members still feel constrained. Around 44% have felt the necessity to adjust their behaviour to avoid judgement or awkward encounters, marking an increase from 37% in 2022. Additionally, 36% felt compelled to alter their appearance for the same reason, up from 29% in 2022. This pressure is most common among young LGBTQ+ visitors, who often succumb to the pressure.

Transforming Caution into Confidence:
Apart from personal safety, other key motivators like breath-taking natural scenery (54%), delectable local cuisine (41%) and pristine beaches (48%), also play a very strong role for the LGBTQ+ community when shortlisting destinations.

Remarkably, despite the hurdles, 90% of LGBTQ+ respondents (as against 72% in 2022), find their identity actually makes them more confident as a traveller. When it comes to experiences on a holiday, 89% of LGBTQ+ members feel confident when engaging in any activities they want, with an overwhelming majority (87%) like to seek out attractions and activities that are tailored to people identifying as LGBTQ+.

Positive travel experiences continue to uplift LGBTQ+ communities. An overwhelming 97% of LGBTQ+ travellers have encountered delightful interactions during their stays. Furthermore, 58% have enjoyed positive pre-arrival communication with the accommodation and 51% have had excellent experiences upon arrival (an impressive increase from 26% in 2022)

Building an Inclusive Community
The travel industry is clearly playing a part in shifting attitudes and perceptions. An overwhelming 91% of LGBTQ+ travellers India feel more comfortable travelling due to the increased inclusivity in the travel industry and 87% of genderfluid or genderqueer sightseers now feel more comfortable.

However, despite the progress, significant work is still required to cater to the needs of LGBTQ+ travellers. This is especially the case when it comes to receiving LGBTQ+ specific guidance which is less frequent – for instance, 40% of respondents desired more details on the LGBTQ+ status of their destination, local laws, religious sensitivities, and safety tips.

For this, travel companies have a vital role as allies by implementing inclusive policies and fostering welcoming environments for LGBTQ+ wanderers. According to the survey,
• 85% of Indian respondents prefer airlines and brands with inclusive policies, including gender-neutral uniforms.
• Additionally, 86% of Indian respondents (compared to 72% last year), are more inclined to book with LGBTQ+ owned brands.

Booking.com introduced its Travel Proud program in 2021, providing complimentary inclusive hospitality training for accommodations. It aims to enhance awareness of the unique obstacles LGBTQ+ travellers encounter and foster a welcoming atmosphere, irrespective of nationality, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

Arjan Dijk, CMO and Senior Vice President, Booking.com, said, “In a world of increasing contradictions and instability, it’s no surprise that the LGBTQ+ travellers of today are simultaneously more cautious and more confident. At Booking.com, we believe that everyone should be able to experience the world as themselves, always. While visibility, understanding and acceptance of LGBTQ+ people has come a long way in recent years, we can’t take that progress for granted. The travel industry should strive to be a beacon of inclusion, helping foster an environment where everyone can flourish and thrive, whether exploring closer to home or traveling to the other side of the world.”

 

GoMMT, booking.com and Agoda were India’s top three online booking channels for 2022, says STAAH report

GoMMT, booking.com and Agoda were the top three distribution channels that brought in the highest room nights to Indian hotels in 2022, according to statistics by global tech solutions provider STAAH. Expedia, STAAH- Direct Bookings, Travelguru, airbnb, HRS, EaseMyTrip and Hotelbeds also featured in the Top 10 Online Channels for India.

 

STAAH is a New Zealand-based technology company specialising in hospitality solutions that powers a property’s distribution network through Online Travel Agencies (OTA) and direct bookings.

 

Globally, booking.com, Agoda and Traveloka held the top three spots generating the highest room nights. STAAH data also showed that hotels were more attracted to direct bookings as an increasing number of travellers make hotel websites a part of their booking journey.

“The pandemic has evolved travellers’ booking behaviours and preferences. Our data indicates accommodation providers across the board are leveraging a combination of traditional and new channels to attract guests for a more holistic and dynamic distribution, guest booking and revenue strategy,” says Tony Howlett, CEO of STAAH.

 

STAAH’s data helps accommodation providers make insightful choices on what combination of channels (global, region, local and niche) will be most impactful for their distribution strategy.

 

“By leveraging STAAH’s dynamic pricing and inventory management features and combining with attractive incentives, our partners have been able to grow direct bookings through their websites. Expanded metasearch strategies, including an important integration with Google Free Booking links, has further helped fuel the growth of direct bookings” he added.

 

Booking.com reveals 7 emerging travel predictions for 2023

According to a Booking .com survey, people around the world are feeling more optimistic about travelling in 2023 compared to 2022. “Despite some current instability felt globally, nearly 72% report that travelling will always be worth it. The mood is shifting from one of hopeful uncertainty to bold adaptability. If 2022 was about the triumphant return of travel, 2023 will be about creatively reimagining it amidst the chaos. Nothing will be off limits and everything is on the menu as everyone seeks to find the right balance in a world of contradictions,” the survey finds.

To understand how travel will be reimagined in 2023, Booking.com commissioned extensive research with more than 24,000 travellers across 32 countries and territories including India, combining it with its insights as a leading digital travel platform to reveal seven emerging travel predictions.

At a time of general upheaval, where war, increased societal polarisation, rising inflation and urgent concerns about climate change are all continuing to radically change the world, people are finding themselves in a multi-directional tug-of-war, working to reconcile what is important to them with the demands of everyday life. The 2023 travel predictions reflect this sentiment, revealing that the needs of travellers are moving in a lot of different directions to adapt to changing times.

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com comments, “The years of pandemic gave us a chance to reminisce and acknowledge that travel should not be taken for granted. Our Travel predictions 2023 research demonstrates a desire for travel to be a way to seek unapologetic moments of happiness and escapism to counteract the heavy realities of our news feeds. At Booking.com our aim will continue to be to make it easier for everyone to seek their unique travel bliss in a more personalised and connected way in the year ahead and beyond.”

Key Highlights

Preppers in Paradise: 64% of Indian travellers are looking for ‘off grid’ style vacations to escape from reality and user travel as an opportunity to learn survival skills or even prepare for an apocalypse.

Virtual Voyagers: 70% of Indian travellers are keen to embark on a multi-day VR travel experience as virtual vacations enter the Metaverse.

Delight in the discomfort zone: 71% of Indian travellers are looking forward to experiencing ‘out of comfort zone’ travel that pushes them to the limits.

Glamorising the Good ol’ Days: Nostalgic getaways that provide the thrill of reliving the glory days and harken back to simpler times are top of the travel wishlist for almost 95% Indian travellers.

Peace and Pleasure Pilgrimages: 63% of Indian travellers will be taking a less conventional approach to wellness by seeking serenity at a silent retreat

From Daily Grind to Great Company Escape: 68% of the Indian workforce is looking forward to their employer planning a ‘real life’ work trip to bring people together and build team camaraderie away from the office.

Saving to Splurge: While investing in a vacation remains a top priority for Indians, being budget conscious is key, with 75% of Indian travellers seeking more bang for their buck.

Agencies can now use wider virtual cards via Amadeus for reservations on Booking.com

Travel agencies reserving Booking.com accommodations through the Amadeus Travel Platform can now choose to process payment using a wider range of virtual cards from the latter’s digital wallet, across more than 1.3 million accommodation options.

The Amadeus B2B Wallet solution integrated with Booking.com reduces the demand on travellers to provide upfront payment information or to make payments at the point of check-in or out.

For travel agencies, the ability to use the Amadeus B2B Wallet means they can set and manage priorities for how they pay accommodation providers. The new solution automatically recommends the best payment method for each individual stay within the booking flow, based on a wide range of payment options from leading participating banks.

Katja Bohnet, VP Hospitality Distribution, Hospitality, Amadeus, said, “By helping agents pay for stays with Booking.com’s accommodation partners, we’re removing several points of friction. Travelers no longer need to provide card details at check-in or make a payment for the room at the front desk when they check-out. Travel agents can align how they make payments depending on their strategic priorities thanks to a wide choice of options from our issuing partners. Accommodation partners will also receive payment quickly and reliably: it’s a win-win-win.”

Jeremy Cornuau, Global Director for Partnerships, Booking.com, added:,“Our primary aim is to make every aspect of the travel experience easier and more streamlined for travellers and travel providers alike, including when it comes to payment options. Virtual cards offer significant benefits and are gradually replacing legacy settlement schemes and manual plastic card payments across travel. The Amadeus Travel Platform is an important distribution channel for our accommodation partners and making virtual payments part of the reservation process is a big step forward for everyone involved.”

Travel agents paying for Booking.com hotel stays now have the choice of using 14 different card types including credit, debit and pre-paid options, provided by issuing banks from across the world. When agencies choose to pay this way, the virtual card is automatically recommended within the existing booking flow, saving time and creating efficiency across the entire booking experience.

 

Booking.com appoints Santosh Kumar as Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia

Booking.com has appointed Santosh Kumar as Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia. He succeeds Ritu Mehrotra, who earlier served in the same role.

With full responsibility for the leadership and development of Booking.com’s business in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, Kumar plays a critical role in driving growth, strategy and operations across one of the most dynamic and diverse regions in the Asia Pacific. He is a seasoned leader, who brings over a decade of leadership experience from the travel and hospitality industry.

As the travel industry navigates its next phase of recovery and looks at new growth prospects, Kumar will spearhead efforts to shape the future of travel in the region with a strong focus on supporting our partners in rebuilding their businesses, while ensuring the company continues to deliver the best value to our customers.

“Santosh joins us as an entrepreneurial and strategic leader with an in-depth understanding of the travel and technology industry. With over 15 years of experience in managing multicultural teams, Santosh will spearhead the region with a strong focus on supporting our partners in rebuilding their businesses, while ensuring the company continues to deliver the best value to our customers.” said Nuno Guerreiro, Regional Director, South APAC & Chains.

Previously, he was Managing Director of the Indian subcontinent at HRS Group, a global SaaS-based corporate travel accommodation technology provider. He has also worked at American Express Global Business Travel and has extensive consulting experience working with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), Deloitte, Collabera and Diamond Management and Technology Consultants in USA and India.

“I am honoured and excited to lead the Booking.com business in India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia. Booking.com’s mission is to make it easy for everyone to experience the world and with us slowly embracing the new era of travel, I am looking forward to working closely with our accommodation partners to ensure that we offer travellers the most convenient, seamless and unforgettable experiences in travel,” Santosh Kumar said.

 

 

Booking.com identifies top destinations for more sustainable stays in 2022; Rishikesh also figures in the list

This World Environment Day, Booking.com has compiled a list of destinations across the globe with the highest percentages of Travel Sustainable properties on their platform. Travel Sustainable badge recognizes the impactful efforts properties worldwide are making to help protect the planet and contribute positively to their local communities. From trend-setting cities to stunning natural parks and destinations making a concerted effort to manage their travel volumes more consciously, there is plenty of inspiration for the 94% of Indian travellers who say that sustainable travel is important to them – no matter where their sense of adventure and exploration might take them.

The destinations are Hoedspruit, South Africa; Stockholm, Sweden; Arusha, Tanzania; Merzouga, Morocco; Puerto Iguazú, Argentina; Boracay, Philippines; Villa de Leyva, Colombia; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Rishikesh, India.

Celebrated by millions of people across the globe, World Environment Day aims to create awareness and encourage action for the protection of the environment. And while one can practise sustainability in multiple aspects of one’s life, travelling sustainability can be a traveller priority, especially with easing of COVID-19 restrictions and resumption of travel.