Even when they were halfway across the world in Iceland on a holiday, Meera Sridharan and her husband were constantly on their smartphones, checking mail.
“I don’t think the concept of a vacation exists anymore — we’re always on our devices, even when taking a break,” says the city-based talk show host.
For Varsha Lanka, an executive at a private firm, the lack of mobile network can cause panic. “I feel restless when I don’t use my phone. I need to be connected all the time,” she says.
This is not surprising — Chennai has one of the highest number of smartphone-users in the country. But while staying connected, often on multiple devices, has its benefits, a number of studies point to the immense importance of going tech-free, or ‘digitally de-toxing’ for short periods of time, especially on vacations, in order to stay healthy and stress-free. And a small but growing number of people want to get away from all forms of connection while holidaying, say travel agents.
At Thomas Cook, there’s been an approximately 15 per cent increase in the number of queries for destinations that have low or no network at all, says Shibani Phadkar, senior vice-president, adding that many of the queries are from spouses and families of those working in corporates, especially in Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai.
“It’s a growing demand, and to cater to it, holistic wellness centres have mushroomed across India. We are also seeing an emerging trend of people combining their detox vacations with fitness activities,” says Mohit Gupta, chief business officer, MakeMyTrip.
Secluded locations, where one can mentally get away are sought after, says Sharat Dhall, president, Yatra.com. “The solitary village of Malana in Kulu Valley and Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh are some favourites,” he says.
No televisions, no mobile reception and no internet are on offer, in exchange for spectacular views, a host of outdoor activities, holistic therapies and good food.
Resorts in the south, too, are catching up. Serenity at Kanam Estate in Kerala has made its way into travel blogs for being completely cut away. In Tamil Nadu, a resort in Palani Hills has no television but hammocks draped across giant trees. A trek in the Himalayas or a forest trek are other options.
Internationally, travellers can choose from a tree-house in Malaysia to caves in Turkey, glacier camps at New Zealand’s Minaret Station, the Caribbean Islands, an elephant camp in Botswana or remote villages in Spain and Italy.
In its 2012 global trends report, the World Travel Market found that hotels were increasingly offering technology-free packages, tranquillity suites, promoting family time or rewarding customers who parted from their devices. “Technology-free spas, cruises and safaris present strong opportunities in the digital detox arena,” the report said.
