Why staycations have stayed strong as the chosen form of travel in the pandemic

The world opened up to travel not too long ago and while those who can afford to take a proper vacation have done so at the first chance, there are many who are opting for smaller, relatively budget-friendly vacations instead. These are the results of a trend that has come about due to the Covid-19 pandemic -- ‘revenge travel', which translates to people setting out of their homes at the first opportunity because they haven't been able to travel for more than a year now.

Many Mumbaikars have also jumped on this bandwagon but unlike in pre-pandemic times, most aren't travelling outside the country. They prefer to take staycations by remaining within India, and particularly within the city. The idea of staycations has been popular before the pandemic too but city dwellers are consciously deciding to stay within the city. Three travellers spoke to Mid-day.com about why they chose a staycation over a regular vacation to another country and yes, it was an effect of the pandemic.

Karen Fernandes, a Thane-based communications professional, who is a firm believer in staycations, opted to stay at the Trident in Nariman Point with her partner during the second wave to celebrate a birthday. "We didn't want to go too far in the pandemic and wanted to avoid public transport as much as possible," says the 29-year-old. Fernandes believes that staycations in the same city are far superior to any kind of vacation, especially for a weekend break. "If you want proper rest and relaxation, it works because the travel time is cut off and that in turn reduces a lot of stress," she adds.


The view from Karen Fernandes's suite at the Trident in Mumbai. Fernandes believes staycations not only reduce the stress of planning but also the travel time involved in a vacation. Photo Courtesy: Karen Fernandes

It is not only the fact that the travel time is reduced a great deal but also that the need for planning the vacation is eliminated because one is staying at a single property, which makes it ideal for her. However, Fernandes, who has also stayed at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in the city, says it also depends on the property, its service, amenities and the luxe appeal, that make the experience better. The sea-facing suite, which is often hard to find in Mumbai, is something she will cherish from the staycation.

Fernandes isn't the only one who has found solace in holidaying within the city. Natasha Anna Pereira, a hotelier who was home from her job in the Cayman Islands due to the Covid-19 pandemic, took the opportunity to do a staycation with her girl gang in the city. "We live far from each other in the city, which meant that we could only meet for lunches or dinners and rushed back home after our meals," says the Panvel resident. Pereira says planning a staycation meant spending an entire day at a hotel in the city, which was equidistant for all of them, while avoiding outstation journeys.

Being a part of the hospitality industry, Pereira mentions that she is a huge fan of experiencing hotel stays at different places and this gave her the opportunity to do just that. "ITC Maratha in Sahar was always on my list and we grabbed a great deal and even got upgraded to a suite - no better way to enjoy with my girls," says the 29-year-old. Pereira says the magic about staycations in the city is that it allows her to live and see a different sight than home, without having to book a flight or train ticket, echoing Fernandes's sentiments in more ways than one.


Since Natasha Anna Pereira (second from left) and her friends live far from each other in the city, the staycation allowed them more time to meet than coffee or dinner outings. Photo Courtesy: Natasha Anna Pereira

"It's like a paid and fancy version of a sleepover or night out," quips Pereira. Even though it was only 24 hours, the events and wedding planner says the group enjoyed dressing up, heading downstairs for drinks, experiencing the amenities and "feeling like absolute queens". Convinced about the benefits of a staycation, Pereira says the ability to refresh and rejuvenate oneself is absolutely underrated and is definitely going to be a half-yearly ritual for her.

The ever-evolving international and inter-state travel restrictions are also driving people to choose such hyper-local holidays. Elsewhere in India, for example, Bengaluru-based publicist Parina Dhilla has done two staycations in the last two years. While one was at ITC Gardenia in December 2020, the other was before the lockdown this year at the Sheraton. With a hectic work schedule, her husband and she decided to take a quick break in the city's five-star properties. "We were too scared to go out of town because of the Covid scare and the constantly changing rules and states closing borders," says Dhilla.

She has not only been on staycations for the weekend but also on weekdays when the couple received good prices to spend their anniversary in the city. While the amenities and service are of prime importance, the 28-year-old says good food seals the deal for her because she is a vegetarian and has sometimes had the experience of limited choices. Interestingly, Dhilla says staycations have become a relevant choice, especially during the pandemic because she lives with her in-laws and it was often hard to find space to unwind as a couple.

St Regis Hotel, one of the many hotels in the city, started seeing an upward trend in staycations in July, August and September and has recently noted a shift in staycations, says general manager Nicholas Dumbell. He explains, "Until about six weeks ago, we had people from Mumbai coming in for staycations, but gradually we have seen people coming in from other cities as well." While initially it started with people from Pune and Gujarat, the five-star property is now seeing a rise in the number of people coming in from other major cities into Mumbai too. Interestingly, it is not only the younger generation that is opting for them, Dumbell says guests include even families of three generations.

It is no different for JW Marriott Mumbai Sahar, which is seeing a striking shift in guest profiles. The hotel, which classifies itself in the business luxury hotel segment, has experienced a considerable increase in people opting for staycations in 2020-21. Nikita Gonsalves, director of sales and marketing, explains, "Staycations within the city have become a prominent travel segment with a shift from business travellers to families, friends and couples." Seeing a change in the trend, the five-star hotel decided to craft stay experiences, and is set to continue them now, even after business travel has picked up again. "The team at the hotel has been creating various mindful moments and experiences for our guests. A staycation experience currently is all about relaxing in the luxurious room, with curated menus for breakfast (in bed), lunch or dinner and fun kids' activities," Gonsalves adds.

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