Where should you travel in 2019? Rishabh Manot, entrepreneur gives you the lowdown

Rishabh Manot, Founder and CEO of Questerra, an interdisciplinary interactive platform that enables you to travel the world and makes sure that the chief purpose of the travel is education, speaks about where you should travel in 2019. Here are his views on travelling in 2019…

‍

Questerra has been working towards making the world a smaller place through its intense travel programmes across domains like fashion, jewellery, culinary, films and more. These travel-based intensives offer their travellers a global perspective and inspiration to propel their careers. They meet various professionals, visit places of artistic or commercial interest, hear stories of stalwarts; all from their very own industry, while carrying out cleverly designed tasks/projects helping them adapting their inspiration in their future. Some of their corporate partners and experts include Louis Vuitton, V&A museum, Le Cordon Bleu, Amrapali, Van Cleef, Dreamworks to name a few.

In an exclusive interview, Rishabh Manot speaks to YS Weekender about the places we need to visit and the best travel ideas for 2019…

Which are the most important travel destinations now?

We think the tourists will continue to favourite the usual suspects of Europe and South East Asia. However, the traveller will focus on new-age destinations that offer something unique and exciting.

The new hotspots for travel are:

BHUTAN

This is a fantasy realm for nature lovers who seek something fresh. Considering our proximity and friendly relations, connections there are easy too and Bhutan is the Shangri-La one is searching.

ISTANBUL, BODRUM AND THE TURKISH RIVIERA

Apart from the fact that its airport and airlines are making the right noises and connections, Turkey fills the Indian palate for wanderlust. Go there for culture, amazing landscapes, Mediterranean architecture, turquoise waters, folklore and good nightlife. Some of their parts are over touristy but some of them are virginal which brings a fine balance.

MEXICO

Netflixers would love to experience the Narcos charm and experience a culture so close yet so different from our own. The food, people and places are all a treat, the connections to this land of history and culture are not the best yet, but this place will bloom in 2019. A bunch of new hospitality majors are opening their projects in 2019 so expect the #gomexico hashtag to appear on your Instagram more often making you jealous! Don’t miss Valle De Guadalupe for the best upcoming wines of 2019.

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS AND IRELAND

These countries will make a grand comeback for the Indian traveller, more for those who are thirsty. With the popularity of beers and spirits rising, many of us want to pair that with golf, scenic views and St. Patricks. Trust me, there is never a dull moment there and many decent connections via London as well

REBIRTH OF NEW EUROPE

Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria will be on the rise as the average tourist has now become a traveller to seek the unseen. These places will charm them with their hospitality and rawness. The fact that one gets more for their rupee here will also lure more travellers to these destinations.

THE INDIAN NORTH EAST BELT

Our own wondrous land of the Seven sisters will be very popular this year. They have everything that a traveller seeks, like mountains, culture, humble people and intriguing folklore. These mountains are definitely calling.

What are some of the travel ideas that will be popular this year?

I think we will see the following changes. The Indian traveller is coming of age.

First time 'travellers' are now looking for newer locations that are apt for soul searching and experiences to grow or bring change. Change will be a buzz word in the next few years as people long for newer interactions with real people, places and experiences. These could be making a change in the world to making a change in their personality.

Micro or small tripping

Small trips will be the buzz too in 2019. We will see a rise in weekend and long weekend getaways. Our airline connections have gotten thinner and wallets a little fatter, hence more people will look to quench their wanderlust.

Temporary local

Gone are the days of “8 days and 5 countries” trips. The new traveller seeks to engage, experience and enjoy the new. They want to eat local, drink local and talk the local. Being local and connecting with the local will widen their horizons and open new thoughts and ideas that can cherish.

All things experiential and highly curated:

Travellers will go beyond the Buckingham Palaces and Eiffel Towers of the world to engage and travel the experiential ways. Experiential travel will be one of the key drivers of Human growth in the years to come, helping individual to learn, network and thus grow in this new world. For example, for a design traveller, experiences would include setting up conversations with local designers and artisans in a new country to learn a new craft or design work. The advantages of such experiences will set a new benchmark for personal growth.

What would be the top tourism zones for next year?

The secret beaches of the Turkish Riviera filled with super yachts and the hot and happening. The cosy Hammams, string of new hotels, Istanbul modern museum in the Galata waterfront will make Turkey one hot destination to go in 2019. Also, the close proximity to mainland and traditional Europe coupled with more bang for the buck.

What kind of tourism will be popular next year?

Most popular tourism in the coming year will be the rise of experiential tourism that drives change. Change or making a difference to people, places and our world included. People will travel to save themselves, their relationships (or save themselves from their relationships), the world and eventually looking for "value addition”. People will travel to learn, network and grow above and beyond the usual haunts of a tourist.

Which of the popular travel trends of 2018 will continue in 2019?

The year, 2018 was the year of the Instagrammer and the Social media traveller. Everyone with an Instagram account and a reasonable phone was an ‘influencer’. People travelled to show the world that they are travelling, and I am not sure how many actually travelled for its real true meaning. This trend will continue.

Can you tell us about your company?

Questerra is the world's only company that leads experiences that help travellers travel, network and grow in the hub of their profession. Questerra leads tours in various disciplines such as Fashion, Jewellery, Culinary Arts, Performing arts etc. that enable travellers and professional to unlock the value in travel and networking. Building bonds and connections that last and make a difference. Our travellers in a particular group are all from the same industry or share the same passion for their art form. They re-live it and look at it from various new perspectives, adding a new paradigm in their thinking.

What are some of the travel packages that people can look forward to that your company will offer?

For example, on our Fashion Intensive, travellers can have chats with leaders from companies and academia like Louis Vuitton or Central Saint Martins to get their side of the story on the industry. Networking sessions are arranged in new countries that bridge the gap between two designers from different countries making endless possibilities and unlocking tons of value.

On our performing Arts intensive, imagine waking up to Yoga sessions, followed by a friendly mentorship session by Pandit Birju Mahrajji to give you a new but tested philosophy and ending the day with discussions of the business of dance. In 2019, you can look out for: The Fashion Intensive 2 (India, Japan, South Korea, Europe), The Jewellery Design Intensive 2 (Europe, Israel, HK etc.), The Performing Arts Intensive (India, Sri Lanka), The Spatial design intensive (Bali, China, Spain, Italy), The Culinary Arts intensive (Australia, Bali) etc.

What kind of adventure tourism will be popular in 2019?

Beyond the originals of Bali and Thailand, I see new contours of adventure tourism being popular with advent of drone tourism and video gaming (AR/VR) games which will bring the ultimate rush of blood and competitiveness. I also think more people will become part time pilots in 2019.

Among the places you have visited, which has been your favourite?

It rather difficult to pin down something, but I would say Kenya and Japan have left a mark on me. I’m more of a people traveller, and I love to get chatty with the locals and end up being invited for a cuppa or dinner.

The people of these countries have been the most welcoming and unselfish which could reaffirm your faith in humanity as their hospitality would be beyond any selfish measure. Not to mention their uniqueness of culture and going out of their way to feed a vegetarian (at least have some egg?) and their passion for their tradition is what was a clear lucid memory for me till today.

What are your personal travel plans in 2019?

I’ve been longing to go the Amazon for some time now. Their remoteness and the stories of their folklore have been a calling for some time. I’ve also been wanting to go on a tour of the North East region. I think I've finally realised that I am more a mountain kinda guy and a hot cuppa, cold weather, retrospective air, endless enigmatic views are what works for me.

‍