There has been a noticeable increase in the number of individuals embarking on frequent travels, with a 25 percent growth observed in 2023 as compared to 2019, as highlighted by the Travel Trends Report from MakeMyTrip, an online travel company. Moreover, the report stated that Indian travelers are also exhibiting a growing inclination towards travel by flights. This trend reflects a shifting lifestyle where people are increasingly prioritising experiences and exploration. Interestingly, religious and spiritual travel is on the rise, with Ayodhya, city of the Ram Mandir, featuring prominently in searches.
The travel company has released its India Travel Trends Report which offers insights into the travel patterns of Indians both domestically and internationally. The report, which is based on data from millions of journeys, reveals significant shifts in travel behaviour and preferences.
Where does India travel?
Tier-2 and tier-3 cities are increasingly embracing spiritual journeys, with searches for destinations around religious spots growing by 97 percent in the last two years, reflecting a cultural shift towards seeking spiritual experiences amidst modern life.
Searches for destinations like the city of the Ram Mandir, Ayodhya, (585 percent growth), Ujjain (359 percent growth), and Badrinath (343 percent growth) surged in 2023 compared to 2022, indicating a growing interest in visiting pilgrimage sites and exploring India’s rich religious heritage. Weekend getaways remain popular, with searches for destinations like Jim Corbett (131 percent growth), Ooty, and Munnar on the rise.
On the international front, 30 percent of all international travel searches from India are for popular destinations like Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore, while London, Toronto, and New York are the most searched long-haul destinations, highlighting their enduring appeal among Indian travelers. Emerging international destinations saw a significant increase in searches, with favorites including Hong Kong, Almaty, Paro, Baku, Da Nang, and Tbilisi.
Spontaneous domestic vacations, but planned international trips
The report also revealed that the family travel bookings surged by 64 percent in 2023 compared to 2022, followed by solo traveler booking growth at 23 percent for the same period. A significant portion of travel bookings in India are spontaneous, with 46 percent of domestic flights booked less than a week before the travel date. In contrast, about half of all international bookings are made at least two weeks in advance. Only one-third of international bookings are made more than a month before the travel date, indicating a flexible approach to international travel planning among Indian travelers.