A vacay viral fever!

We all know media-savvy folk. We also know those who like posting each and every detail of their vacation online. Whether it’s Coorg or Paris, we Indians love showing our friends what we’re up to. And from the looks of it, the Indian is high on that list of vacay virals! A recent Expedia survey released results of the 2018 Flight & Hotel Etiquette study, an annual survey on flight and hotel behaviour of travellers across 23 countries in the world. Taking the top spot — #1, desis engage with airlines over social media about their travel experiences while at the airport, at the gate, and even on the plane! Check-ins on Facebook to posting snaps on Instagram of their travel sojourns can sometimes even go overboard, and the study shows how Indians are number one sharers.

We gave these avid travellers a chance to explain why they like putting everything out on social media!

According to Manmeet Alhuwalia, marketing head Expedia, India, “The findings are a testimony of the growth in traffic being experienced by the aviation industry, as Indians are the third most frequent travellers in the Asia-Pacific region, with average 7.6 flights per year after Thailand and Japan. The study highlights that for Indians, the airline (93 per cent) itself is one of the key factors in consideration when booking air travel, the highest globally. The survey also found that Indians were #1 in engaging with an airline over social media (34 per cent) about their travel experiences while at the airport, at the gate, or on the plane. Mumbaikars are the highest to engage with airlines to share their travel experiences at 41 per cent while Hyderabadis and Bangaloreans are the least to engage at 27 per cent and 28 per cent respectively, amongst the five cities surveyed.“

Sabita Chanda, a social worker who frequently travels across the country says, “For me it’s quite helpful as I get to meet my long lost friends through my check-ins. Like in today’s world where one doesn’t find that much of a time to stay in touch over phone call, when I check in, I get messages from friends (school friends) located in different parts asking me how long I would be there and have been able to connect with them more easily. I have been able to organise get together among friends and efforts to catch up with just once check in update. I have been able to meet people after almost 20yrs located in some part of the country with a simple check in, since we connected on social media.“

While Christopher Thomas, a business development associate at BYJU’s says it’s he just likes to post for his own pleasure. He says, “Social media is a platform for people to share their memories with their family and friends. But, I have seen people post just for themselves because it’s kind of like a photo digital photo album that cannot go missing as its all online and you can access it whenever you want. Even though, I do agree sometimes the check-ins can get a little bit annoying but that’s just how each different person role.“

But, some folks genuinely love posting on social media as it helps create their portfolio shares photographer Freddie Jazz. “Posting pictures of where I am going helps me create a better portfolio for myself, as it shows the diversity in my work. On the other hand my friends and family love to see which part of the world I am at the moment for my photo assignments.“