From planned trips to on-demand getaways; Here’s future of travel!

The future of travel is shifting from planned trips to on-demand getaways, driven by the COVID-19 pandemic and the shift in travel reasons. Gen Z and young millennials now prefer intuitive decisions over calculated ones, with travel becoming personal and flexible.

New Delhi: There was a time when travel meant planning. Comparing hotel prices, coordinating calendars, checking leave balances, sorting itineraries - every trip had its own prep cycle. But these days where your ride, food, and even groceries arrive in minutes, hassle-free escapes rather than elaborate journeys.

Changes With Generations

For Gen Z and young millennials, decisions are more intuitive than calculated. A few texts in a group chat, a reel showing a scenic stay, a friend’s last-minute invite - and suddenly, plans are made. Not weeks in advance, but often within a day or two, sometimes even the same morning.

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this trend, as months of lockdown fostered a desire for flexibility and living in the moment. The unpredictability of that time has made flexibility a default setting.

Reasons Of Travel Has Changed

At the same time, the reasons for travel have changed too. People aren’t just booking trips for long holidays or work conferences anymore. Now days people are travelling for mental health breaks, family visits, medical appointments, and even short work retreats.

Students are travelling for entrance exams, people for medical checkups, layovers, or even two days of peaceful work followed by one solid nap. Travel has become personal - and that shift has made flexibility more important than fixed plans.

Hybrid work has also added a new dimension. Work isn’t tied to cubicles anymore, which means people aren’t tied to travel timelines either. It’s possible to take a quick break in the middle of the week, work from a different city, or extend a weekend by one more day without explaining it to anyone.

Crucial Role Of Technology

Alok Mishra, Founder & CEO of 'Bag2Bag Travels' said, "technology plays an important role in this transformation. Now, you don’t need to sit with a travel agent or download five different apps. Mobile apps simplify booking accommodations, transport, food, and activities, allowing travelers to plan entire trips on the go. On-demand transport options, such as ride-hailing and bike taxis, along with improved highway networks and navigation tools, make urban and regional travel smoother and more accessible."

The rise in personal vehicle ownership has also played a big role, giving people the freedom to take off without relying on public transport. And that’s why the future of travel isn’t planned. It's on-demand. Not because planning has no place, but because life no longer runs on fixed schedules.