Caravan tourism, a popular form of experiential travel worldwide, is slowly gaining traction in India. Jayant Singh, the founder and managing director of Tree House Hotels, has pioneered the caravan park concept within his TreeHouse Sunrise Resort in Neemrana.
Singh envisions expanding this initiative to other properties managed by his company in regions like Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. However, he acknowledges that standalone caravan parks, which require significant capital, aren’t economically viable at present.
The appeal of caravan tourism has surged in the post-pandemic era. With the easing of restrictions, vacations at motorable destinations have grown in popularity, according to a report by ET Hospitality World India.
Caravan tourism offers travelers affordability, flexibility, freedom, safety, privacy, and the possibility to completely isolate oneself. These attributes have become crucial considerations for travelers in the COVID-world.
Globally, caravan tourism is well-established in countries like the US, Australia, New Zealand, and parts of North America and Europe. For instance, caravan holidays contribute significantly to the British and German economies.
In contrast, the concept of caravan trips in India is still relatively new. However, with the country’s improving road infrastructure and the growing culture of road trips, slow travel, and experiential travel, caravan tourism’s demand is expected to rise.
Despite its potential, caravan tourism in India faces challenges. The lack of camping sites, infrastructure, basic amenities, and standard rules across states are some of the primary obstacles.
Recognizing these challenges, the Ministry of Tourism introduced a ‘Caravan Tourism‘ policy. Additionally, states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Kerala have introduced policies to promote sustainable caravan tourism, offering various incentives.
Jayant Singh’s insights provide a valuable industry perspective. He believes that for caravan tourism to flourish in India, there’s a need for more caravan parks. Singh likens the current situation to having private jets without airports. For now, he views his investment in the caravan park primarily as a marketing strategy, offering a unique proposition to customers.
While caravan tourism in India is in its infancy, it holds immense potential. With the right infrastructure, policies, and industry support, it can transform the tourism landscape, offering travelers a unique and enriching experience.
