Tamil Nadu: Homeward ho! The new travel trend amid pandemic

CHENNAI: For the past seven months, Indu Balakrishnan has been cooped up with her two children and husband in their two-bedroom apartment in Velachery. That’s why, this Saturday, she, along with her family, plans to hop into their car and drive down to their hometown in Kannur.
“All of us are tired of being at home, especially the kids as we couldn’t go for our annual summer holiday. So we thought we would head back home, especially as my mother’s house is by the sea,” says Indu. “We will get to meet our parents, our children will get to have a beach holiday and my work won’t get interrupted as our company has given us a work from home option till January,” says the 36-year-old HR manager.
Lockdown restrictions have eased, and cities are now abuzz with activity. But even as more people head back to offices, a smaller segment is packing their bags to go “hometown tripping”.
With fear of the pandemic still in the air, people bitten by the travel bug are sticking to safer options, such as visiting family and friends in nearby places -- they feel it’s safer, cheaper, yet provides you with a much-needed change of place. A trend, industry experts say, which may not benefit the travel trade – as people may opt to drive down and give hotels and resorts a miss – but is likely to remain till things get better.
“People are tired of sitting at home for months and want a change of scene. So they are looking at visiting relatives and friends. It will give them break of sorts and they will feel safer staying in known surroundings rather than hotels,” says Faisal Sharhabeel of Magellan Travel services Pvt Ltd. “Of course, they are still nervous about travel and take all precautions. But I feel, once things get better, this trend may change as people will want new experiences,” he says.
Suchi Sekri, for instance, has decided to visit her brother in Bengaluru next week. “I know the situation is not good in Karnataka but we are driving down, and will be staying in his home, which is spacious. Though we may not go out much, at least my children will get to spend time with their cousins,” says the 40-year-old. WFH will be a challenge, she admits, with more people around. “But since we can’t holiday, this is the next best thing.”
Bharath Gowtham, a 26-year old advocate practising at the Madras High Court, is heading back to his mom’s house in Nagiampatti, a village about 100km from Salem. “I haven’t met her since March 1, and during these months she has managed to build a new house there. So, I will be there for the housewarming and get to spend time in my new home with my mom,” he says.
(With inputs from Harshitha Kumayaa)