Interestingly, the Covid outbreak has brought the world to a standstill, but after initial setbacks young Indians have enjoyed traveling. As such, the dynamics of travel have undergone a major shift. One of the most visible changes is the rise of backpacker culture among young people in India. Not only has Covid impacted the way young people move, but it has also changed some socio-economic structures that have been simmering in side jobs for quite some time.
With the advent of social media and the rise of OTT culture in India, young people are virtually exposed to cultures and experiences from all over the world. These exposures, along with various technological interventions such as the use of mobile devices with maps, apps, etc., have influenced the culture of travel among young people. more adventurous. Unlike previous generations, today’s youth have the flexibility to easily plan their vacations. Imagine how a late Friday afternoon discussion between colleagues could easily turn into a real trip. OTAs are available for both transportation and accommodation bookings. GPS is enabled on most mobile devices, making it easy to know where to go for a bio break or a pit stop for a cup of tea as well as navigating the roads. With internet-based voice and video calls, you can be sure your loved ones know where you are. And there’s some joy in knowing that you can easily send your live location in case of SOS.
The post-Covid era has seen not only an increase in the travel segment by young people, but also the demand for backpacking hostels by young people in India. and see how it brought backpacking culture to India.
sense of community
Perhaps the most obvious change that distinguishes hostels from other accommodations is the sense of community. The community is at the heart of the hostel. What is community and why is it important? Humans are social beings. Especially for young people, community is central to everything an individual does and aspires to do. So, is it strange that a community-centered accommodation facility is surrounded by young people? A hostel is a crossroads or meeting point for a variety of travelers: solo, groups, professionals and newcomers. All of these travelers have their own travel plans but share space with other travelers. The dormitory has been converted into her bunk bed, but what sets the hostel apart is the common areas. From indoor games to amphitheaters to workspaces, these areas are designed with young people’s aspirations in mind. Here travelers meet other travelers, share conversations and engage in games. This is a place to exchange do’s and don’ts with people who share the same passion. From co-travelers to lifelong friendships, happy tears, failures and ambitions, the common room bears witness to many rich and vibrant stories.
Sharing economy – save more, travel more
Again, the hostel is built around the idea of a sharing economy. This brings the ADR to an average of INR 500 per night. The sharing economy is not a new concept anywhere in the world, especially not in India. A country as vast as India has been using night trains and buses for decades. Civil aviation is another example. With over 66% of her population under her 35s, India has the largest youth population in the world. In a country with a brand built around the aspirations of young people, there are only a handful of accommodations built around their sensibilities. provide young people with the option to stay in shared spaces while ensuring The space is designed to accommodate more beds both horizontally and vertically. Therefore, young people can take advantage of facilities similar to those of her four-star hotel. Common areas with gaming zones, free high-speed Wi-Fi, a 24/7 cafe, workspaces, and on-demand laundry services. price. This will not only allow the young man to travel for long periods of time, but he will be able to travel more than once or twice a year.
WFH now stands for Work From Hostels
Covid has redefined many things for us. But most importantly, it has redefined how individuals find balance between their personal and professional lives. did not. Working from home or anywhere has become the new normal. Most workplaces have learned that different roles can be completed remotely, but young people have learned that they can work from anywhere.
The past few years have seen a change in the goal-based lifestyles of Indian youth. Gap year travel is common in the West, but today young people in India are experimenting and traveling more. People’s lifestyles are undergoing major changes. Young people in India are getting married and starting families much later than they were a decade ago. With no family, car or home debt like EMI, these youngsters are more mobile and open to adventure. So after the first wave when the economy first started to open up, young people were the first to navigate towards travel again. The dream of working while drinking beer has finally come true for many working in the corporate sector. They chose to stay in hostels, meet other travelers and explore the country like never before. The common room not only exchanged travel stories, but also became a meeting place for his networking zone.
Experience is a big deal!
Travel is a wonderful teacher that opens your mind. It makes us realize how small we are within the larger framework of things. Most great stories always start with a trip. From Vasco de Gama to Mahatma Gandhi, history is littered with examples of the transformative power of travel. Experience is a big indicator for young people. From trekking to adventure sports such as paragliding and rafting, today’s youth do it all. The hostel is also a unique space for curating specially designed experiential activities specific to the local area, such as hiking trips to local sunset points and cooking workshops. The experience has played a big role in spreading the backpacking culture in India over the past two years as these spaces are designed to keep up with the requirements of the youth.
road ahead
To travel is to live, learn and grow. Hosting the largest youth population in India, hostels as an accommodation option are still in their infancy. The key at this point is to understand the pulse of the youth, improve our products and bring the culture of travel as an important added value for personal growth. Hostels will lead this change. Statistics show that of all recent recreational trips, the majority of trips are made by young people. No matter how far an individual travels, they must stop and restart. What better place than to be wrapped up in the security and hygiene of a hostel surrounded by the safety of the community.
Disclaimer
The above views are the author’s own.
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