ETW Staff – Mumbai
HolidayIQ.com has launched Journey Reviews on its site, enabling travellers to share their flight, train, car and bus journey experiences to more than 2000 Indian destinations which in turn will help other travellers planning trips to the same destinations.
Hari Nair, Founder & CEO HolidayIQ.com mentioned, “Through HolidayIQ.com Journey Reviews, travellers will be able to choose the best mode of transport suited to their requirement based on opinions of other travellers like them.”
Reviews will include details such as ease and time required to book, comfort, punctuality, amenities available at halts such as food, restrooms, medical supplies, basic shopping, prepaid auto / taxi and the like. Additionally, car journey reviews will include details such as petrol pumps, signage, etc.
HolidayIQ.com also conducted a survey ‘Confessions of Indian Train Travellers’, revealing the best and worst travel experiences of the Indian railways. The survey had over 2300 participants from across 140 Indian cities.
Key findings of the survey:
- Most hated co-passengers: 37 per cent travellers said they hated ‘loud passengers’, snorers were the second most hated lot with 21 per cent, followed by ‘window seat snatchers’ at 17 per cent and people who burp too much at 14 per cent. Luggage hoarders, people who litter and people carrying smelly food are also found annoying.
- 40 per cent women are embarrassed by flirting, display of lungi changing skills
- 40 per cent women said co-passengers have flirted with them; this was highest among 18-35 year olds. 9 per cent travellers said they have been embarrassed by men nonchalantly changing into lungis at their seats.
- Celebrity spotting and theft top unforgettable experiences.
- When asked about their most unforgettable train experiences, 38 per cent mentioned theft. ‘Meeting a celebrity’ was a close second at 32 per cent. ‘Forgetting family members’ at 13 per cent was another popular response.
- Condoms to paper soaps, monkey caps to mosquito repellents Indians travel well-prepared: 11 per cent travellers between the ages of 18-25 carry condoms while travelling on trains, of these 15 per cent were males and 5% females; 36-45 year old women travellers were most resourceful in terms of packing, carrying everything from monkey caps to mosquito repellents to first aid kits.
- Berth preferences: Middle berth most hated. Predictably lower berth was the most popular overall however; side lower was the most preferred berth among 18 – 35 year olds. Travellers were unanimous in their hatred for the middle berth.
