Food influences holiday choices for 87% of Indian Travelers according to Airbnb

Food is one of the most exciting and important parts of travel. The joy of buying fresh ingredients from a local store or shopping for organic vegetables from a nearby farmer's market in the neighborhood has its own charm and that is reflected in how most Indians travel.

Travellers are getting more adventurous with 71% of the people Airbnb surveyed emphasizing the importance of trying local cuisines on vacation, and 6 out of 10 travelers keen to try new experiences or activities.

The Airbnb Asia Pacific survey revealed that people across the region, irrespective of age or gender, have a desire to really experience the places that they travel to, not just visit. Food is such an influence on destination decision-making, and is also one of the easiest ways that you can immerse yourself in a local culture or community whether travelling with your family and friends, or alone.

Some key findings of the survey are:

• Indian women travelers are more adventurous when it comes to trying new cuisines
The Airbnb APAC Travel survey was conducted in seven countries - Australia, China, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand and it found that 71% Indians are most likely to want to try local food, in comparison to 58% of travelers from South Korea.

Indian women are more adventurous in trying local food and drink (74%) versus 68% of men. Women are more likely to try new activities of experiences (71% versus 66% men).

Women travelers from India (74%), China (73%), Japan (80%), Singapore (84%), South Korea (59%) and Thailand (69%), are more inclined to sample local cuisine than their male counterparts. The only exception is Australia where 76% of men are more keen to try local dishes compared to 71% of women.

• Millennials are more open to trying new cuisines compared to their aged counterparts
In Australia (77%), China (65%), India (72%), Japan (83%), Singapore (79%) and South Korea (59%), the 18-24 year old age group is most open to new ideas and the importance of trying local foods.

18-24 year old age group females in APAC are more likely to try local food (77%) than 35-44 year olds (69%). However, their male counterparts become more experimental with food in the age group of 35-44 years, with 73%, compared to only 64% of males aged 25-34.

However, more than 80% of Airbnb listings in APAC have kitchen facilities, allowing travelers the flexibility of preparing their own meals whether they are staying in a treehouse, beach villa, loft apartment or cozy city flat.

• One fifth of solo travelers cook on vacation, compared to 46% of family travelers

When vacationing with families, travelers do not always have the opportunity to explore the local food scene.

The Survey revealed that 46% of family travelers across APAC are likely to cook in their accommodation, as compared to one-fifth (21%) of solo travelers.

There are some regional variations in the findings, with family groups traveling from Japan (23%) least likely to cook. On the other hand, 46%, 47%, 64% and 66% of Indian, Chinese, Thai and South Korean travelers would be more likely to cook in their accommodation when they are traveling with their families.

• Trying new experiences and activities

As well as wanting to try local cuisine, the survey found that 59% of all APAC travelers interviewed want to try new activities or experiences on holiday. This rises to 70% for Singaporeans, 68% for Indians and 65% for Australian travellers who are keen to try something different and new.

Japanese travelers are the least likely to embrace new activities and adventures at just 31%.