With 79% of Indian travellers agreeing that providing a cozy home away from home for guests equals good hospitality. Furthermore, the research also points that, 69% of Indian travelers would love to receive a welcome pack from a host, and of those, 17% state they would be disappointed if they weren’t to find one in their room.

TAKING A vacation is arguably something everyone looks forward to, however, it can occasionally evoke feelings of stress and FOMO as travellers try to get the most out of their time away. The recent research by Booking.com, the global leader in connecting travellers with the widest choice of incredible places to stay, reveals that a warm welcome upon check-in at a place to stay can make all the difference towards helping travellers settle quickly into holiday mode.

While many alternative accommodation types offer great amenities, many travellers find that it’s the personal touches which really make a holiday home feel like home. With 79 per cent of Indian travellers agreeing that providing a cozy home away from home for guests equals good hospitality. Furthermore, the research also points that, 69 per cent of Indian travelers would love to receive a welcome pack from a host, and of those, 17 per cent state they would be disappointed if they weren’t to find one in their room.  Fresh flowers are the most popular item that 37 per cent of Indian travellers said they would like to receive in a welcome pack, followed by being introduced to local delicacies by an accommodation owner or manager (30 per cent).

Wherever they may venture, almost two thirds (62 per cent) of the Indian travellers, expect a cozier environment thanks to the efforts of a host, with more than half of them (56 per cent) actively seeking a warm welcome after the stress of travelling. Additionally, 60 per cent of guests are looking to be taken care of and are hoping hosts to provide a warm welcome, to ensure they settle quickly into the new surroundings.

Insights also revealed that 84 percent of Indian travellers rate reviews as important, to help identify friendly and welcoming hosts. Booking.com also delved into its own user-generated data revealing that on average, Booking.com travellers rate the staff higher than any of the other categories that users can rate a property on, such as: services, cleanliness, comfort, value and location.*