Getting away from it all is all very good, but not where there’s no wi-fi! A recent survey on the demands of Indians travelling within the country shows that more and more Indian vacationers want to explore remote areas, but they also need wi-fi hubs.

The survey conducted by HolidayIQ across 20,000 participants from over 30 Indian cities and towns finds that 74 per cent of travelling Indians wanted wi-fi hubs, while 55 per cent were exploring remote areas but wanted better access to these places.

“The smartphone revolution and popularity of travel apps has created a new era in travel. Today, travellers expect to use their mobile devices to access travel-related information, for smooth journey and enhance their experience while on the move. Top three uses for wi-fi is travel research, maps/navigation and access to social media,” said Hari Nair, founder and CEO, HolidayIQ. Travelling is mainly about seeking new experiences, about finding those hidden nuggets and pristine paradises that may be known only to the local residents, he said, adding that with the business of tourism helping conserve endangered flora, fauna, and in some cases, local culture, more and more travellers were choosing adventurous and boundary-pushing getaways that don’t skimp on creature comforts. And with new standards of luxury, travellers feel the necessity for better accessibility to remote destinations.

“There is definitely a paradox. But it is also true that there is a growing desire to travel to remote areas where forget wi-fi even internet connectivity does not exist,” said Karan Anand, head-relationships, Cox and Kings.

Cox and Kings has been seeing a 10 per cent year-on-year growth in the number of people who want to travel to remote areas. These are mostly young couples aged between 22 and 35 years.

The company also has designed “experiential packages” for these holidayers who want to travel to villages which are closer to some favourite destinations. Like Sawanthwadi village between Mumbai and Goa, a few villages off Bangalore city and several in Kerala and Rajastan give the urban traveller a feel of rural life. “Village tours, home stays and farm stays are something they look forward to for such experiential travels,” Anand added.

However, as far as wifi is concerned it still remains wishful thinking. “The need for internet will probably join the list of demands that Indian travellers have had for ages, like clean trains and garbage-free cities,” said Anand. Almost 83 per cent of travellers continue to seek clean trains and 71 per cent garbage-free cities, as per the survey.

While 56 per cent want to travel solo safely within the country, only a small percentage currently take the risk of travelling alone. “Solo travel is largely a western idea and it is only a miniscule percentage of Indian travellers who opt for it,” said.

India will still have to go a long way for the solo traveler to feel free and safe.

(This appeared in Financial Chronicle on Sept 27, 2015)