Why more and more Indians in the U.S. prefer vacationing away from India?


Early spring in Northern California: The sun illuminates snow on high peaks, streams flush with rain and snow melt surge down-slope, foothills and flat lands explode into a rainbow of wildflower and wildlife awakens to the season.
People who love the natural world desire immersion in this reawakening: we long for warm sun and soft wind, the subtle scents of flowers and pines, the soothing melodies of meadow lands and red-winged blackbirds. All Californians are shaking off the last doldrums of winter and re-entering the natural worlds. And Indians in California are none different. Along with the shaking of their winter doldrums Indians in U.S. are slowly learning to shake off their traditional values of sacrifice and savings. More and more young Indian couples prefer enjoying while they can and prefer "freaking" out in summer.
"One of the main reasons could be that Indians like others in U.S., are working hard and like to relieve themselves of the tensions of the American way. They work hard to earn, and are willing to spend a part of that on enjoying themselves. And travelling is one of the best ways," says Rajiv Kapoor of Fremont, a bachelor and extensive traveller.
According to Arvind Godah, American culture is getting to Indians. "I think saving is good. But saving for savings sake without having fun is not my line of living. Our children should be made capable of earning their livelihood, they can't depend on us forever."
Almost all families are busy planning a vacation, small or big, long or short, albeit with a difference. Most of the Indians in the Bay Area, who are planning a vacation this summer are planning it here in U.S. or a little away from U.S., like Hawaii, Bahamas, Europe or even Bangkok. But none are planning for a vacation in India! Yes, amazing but true. Apart from the extensive interviews we conducted with four Indian couples who travelled a lot in their young lives, IndZine spoke to 60 people on a telephone survey. Out of the 60 interviewed only two claimed to have gone to India with the intention of touring. The rest claim not to have seen any places apart from their main purpose spot, which is their native or relative's living area (see box).
"India is not travel oriented. Though there are a lot of exotic and beautiful spots and places to see, lack of facilities restrict eager travellers," said Anita Brown, who is a travel agent based in Los Angeles.
A lot of Indians do want to see nice places in India. Its just they don't get a chance when they go there.
All four couples, interviewed ­­ Kamalaja and Arun Rajanala, Roma and Amit Sanyal, Anand and Anu Das, Rajiv and Pinky Patel ­­ don't find time to actually tour in India, though they'd all love to. "Time plays a major role," said Roma, who works full time. "We hardly get 4-6 weeks vacation, and we'd like to spend more time with our friends and relatives, rather than touring (in India)."
Similar notions were expressed by other three couples. In the last six years Kamalaja and Arun visited India four times, but never ever
thought about touring there. "Even in future, I seriously, seriously doubt it." It is farthest from our minds," said Kamalaja who was again visiting India in April to attend her sister's wedding.
Kamalaja and Arun
Kamalaja and Arun both software engineers are extensive travellers. The places they travelled include, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Houston, Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Las Vegas, Yosemite, Vancouver, Blue Ridge pkwy White Sand Dunes in Mexico, Bryce Canyon. For the past six years, this couple has travelled almost every year. Kamalaja, now pregnant, says confidently, "I don't think my children would become a hindrance for us in travel. In fact, if possible, I'd like to train them in such a way that they get used to travelling."
Both Kamalaja and Arun prefer activity oriented trips, and Kamalaja more so. "I'm restless to see a lot of places and constantly want to be on search," said kamalaja laughing. But Arun sometimes prefers to relax or see a particular place extensively. They travel almost every year and like Hawaii and Canada the best.
"Travelling is convenient and comfortable in U.S." elaborated Arun. "Everything is just a phone call away. The competitive prices, due to several choices available, makes travel easy and affordable in U.S."
According to Kamalaja this could be one of the main reasons for Indians in U.S. avoiding tour trips in India. "It's very difficult to get information. Very few affordable travel agencies. Flying is not cheap," they echoed. This couple doesn't mind spending about $2000 per year on travelling and for places like Europe they are willing to spend more.
"Travelling in U.S. doesn't have to be luxurious. Within reasonable rates one can comfortably enjoy a trip. Kamalaja and Arun are very careful in their selection of travel agents, especially after their trip to Hawaii.
"We went to Hawaii through Sun Trips. Everything was fine except the hotel they provided us with. The room was really terrible. We were just about to move out of it and rent another one at extra cost, when the management suggested us another hotel also under Sun Trips contract for the same price. We went there and liked the room. If the travel agent was good he would have told us before hand. So be careful about the agents," advises this couple.
In general, Kamalaja and Arun enjoys travelling for it brings them joy, new togetherness and soothes
their tired bodies.

AMIT & ROMA SANYAL
Amit and Roma, both full-time working software engineers are well versed in travelling. They've seen practically every city in U.S including New York, Chicago and Detroit. London, Bahamas are their favorite spots till now.



IndZine's Survey
*How many years have you been in the U.S.
Below 4 yrs Between 4-10 yrs More than 10yrs
20% 60% 20%
*Have You been to India with the intention of touring?
3.3% Yes 96.7% No
*Have you travelled in India before coming to U.S.
60% Not Really 38 % To same extent 2% Extensively
*How often do you travel in U.S.?
80% Some place almost every year
20% More than twice a year
What is the major difference if any?
80% comfort, affordability, convenience
20% cleanliness

In the past five years Amit and Roma visited India five and two times respectively.
"No, we did not have time to visit any places except Delhi and Calcutta where we have relatives."
Though this couple wanted to they could not due to Mosque demolition in Ayodhya. Conditions were volatile, and Amit and Roma did not want to take any risks.
This could also be one of the reasons why tourists avoid India as religious, lingual and regional battles never seem to be ending.
"Another major drawback with Indian touring is rest rooms.
" I am very particular about clean rest rooms and this is ne of the main reasons why I avoid travelling and touring in India said Ruma. Asked if they like to see places in India, both answers positively. Its just the situations in India that are disappointing.
"I can say that travelling is not very comfortable in India. Time, distance (which are interrelated), transport and other costs are all not convenient," said Amit.
Remembering their bad experiences, Amit said, "In my experience the Bangkok tour was a little disappointing. They were not really welcome there, and people were pretty rude.
Amit and Ruma are very particular about travelling agents here. One has to do a little investigating and get good references before choosing one says Amit. "A friend of mine got robbed so badly that I became extra conscious."
Their trips to London and Bahamas are unforgettable they say. To describe it all in one sentence, they say "It was fun." This couple usually travels by the British Airways (to India) and amidst trips take advantage of the free stop facilities. That's how they visited London. " It doesn't cost anything extra. Off seasons prices are veery affordable." Amit and Roma managed a $1300 round trip tickets from Easy Travel based in L.A. They don't mind spending $1000 per head per year.
"I think that would be reasonable". But like Kamalaja and Arun they are wiling to spend a little more if the place is worth it.


RAJIV & Pinky PATEL
Rajiv and Pinky Patel are travel lovers. Their past two anniversaries were colored with trips to Hawaii and California (round trip). In contrast, in the past nine years, they've traveled to India three times, but none of the three were tour trips. They were just meant to be visit trips.
"It's very difficult to coordinate trips in India," said Rajiv. "Lack of time, proper facilities and convenience don't encourage us to travel in India, though we'd like to see a lot of places."
This couple like to see new places and wander around.
"I am not the relaxing type. I like to involve myself in a lot of activities. When we went to Hawaii we did a lot of snorkeling and sight seeing. It was great."
Rajiv and Pinky Patel do not remember any bad experiences with travel agents. All their traveling needs are fulfilled by the agent Rupal Mayor.
"We don't mind spending about $2000 per year on travel," said Pinky Patel.
ANAND & ANU DAS
Anand and Anu visited Orlando, Niagara, Smokey Mountains, Tennessee, Grand Canyon, Disneyland among others. "We simply love
traveling and try to indulge in it as much as we can."
The Dasses visited India four times but haven't taken time to see places. "We always go to Delhi and Patna where we have relatives," explained Anand.
For them traveling in India does not offer a very pleasant experience.
"While trains are not on time, car-travels are very tiring and long. Air is not always affordable. Cleanliness does not really bother us. Its just the weariness of long travel," said Rajiv Patel. "In addition hotel accommodation and literature are very difficult to get at short notice."
This couple look out for good deals and usually get them. And they don't miss out on a chance.
"One experience was rather tiring. It was a Nashville, Tennessee, New York trip. The deal was fantastic. Only $99 per person and we took it. But the place was so jam packed that travel was not at all comfortable."
So in general although all four couples enjoy traveling and love to see places both in and away from India, they simply haven't toured India much!

DIFFERENCES:
As our surveys and interviews revealed Indians here are not against touring India. In fact they love to see certain places. But due to several compelling reasons they prefer avoiding it. India has become a point of destination, a place to visit or see one's parents and relatives. Says Viji Natarajan of Trips and Travels, " In my experience as a travel agent I have hardly known any Indians who would want to tour India. Often, their tickets are limited to travelling up to a particular point and come back from that point. But rarely to tour. "
At the same time all travel agencies get a lot of calls enquiring about tourists spots away from India. So where lies the hitch?
Time: Most of the people surveyed identified time as the prime factor for not missing out on India. In this age and place where both partners have to work to get things going. One cannot spend more time more than 4-6 weeks in India. And that precious time gets divided among relatives and friends.
Says Anand Das, " I have to go to Ahmedabad to see my parents. Bombay and Indore to see my friends and relatives. By then its time to come back to U.S. Now tell me where is the time to tour?"
Cost: Money too place an important role. Within a $1000 per head one can go on a luxurious trip to Hawaii or cruise your way to Bahamas. But its a different story in India. With all your money spent on shopping and plane tickets alone one hardly has the incentive to tour.
Lack of attractive tour offers in India: Indian tour system is still monopolized and stuck in the hands of the Government. Under such conditions proper transportation becomes a huge deciding factor in travelling. Airfare tickets are fixed throughout the year regardless of seasons.
Conditions in the U.S are just the opposite. Attractive T.V commercials, colorful print offers, lure tourists almost all seasons. In fact Amit and Roma were pulled towards the Bahamas cruise after seeing an attractive T.V commercial, and do not regret.
Volatile political and social conditions in India as against stable conditions U.S and other western nations.
"Clearly, India is in a state of restless change," says 17-year-old Mohan Kumar from Cupertino. " With so much population and ethnic diversity combined with poverty, even a small tension between communities become a major battle. Under such circumstances no one is spared. Hence travelling here gets difficult."
Agree Amit and Roma, who decided against touring M.P due to Mosque demolition at that time.
Convenience and Comfort:
Touring Western nations is a matter of convenience. Well built road systems, easily available tour books, coupled with easily available car rentals makes traveling easy. It is not so in India.
" Travelling becomes a problem at every step in India, " says Rajiv patel, who loves seeing new places. " With so little time to spare in India and with such slow modes of travel one gets highly discouraged. "
" Another setback is lack of proper tour maps and guides. " says Anand Das. For others like Roma sanitary conditions are of high priority. Agrees Pinky Patel. " I think rest rooms matter a lot. Cleanliness must be maintained."
"Forget cleanliness, they should at least be made available," pipes in Suhas Shah in a telephone Interview.