IN a study by Tourism Features in 1991 on domestic tourism some interesting points surfaced. While the figures have, in all likelihood, veered towards more prolific travel, they are notch marks for any historical perspective. The survey found that 41.8 per cent of the urban domestic tourist took vacations once every year, 15.4 per cent once every six months, 16 per cent once every two years and 8.7 per cent don't take vacations at all.
As far as vacation duration went, 28 per cent preferred 16-30 days, 21.8 per cent 1-7 days and 26 per cent 11-15 days. Just 5 per cent exceeded one month. The survey found, understandably, that the frequency of vacations increased with a rise in family income. Folks earning less than Rs 2,500 per month travelled once in 15.48 months, and those with an income of up to Rs 25,000 travelled once in 11.58 months.
While the activities of the incoming foreign tourists are studied by the Department of Tourism, no domestic tourism study has been commissioned by the department since 1981. The only other survey has been by the National Sample Survey Organisation in 1989-90, results of which are yet to be declared.
