Indian travelers, from avid backpackers to luxury enthusiasts, are not only revitalizing domestic tourism but are also making significant strides in the international travel scene. The first edition of MakeMyTrip’s India Travel Trends Report, which gathered insights from over 100 million annual active users, offers a comprehensive look at the evolving preferences and behaviors of Indian travelers.
Diverse Destinations: Where Does India Travel?
The report highlights a substantial 25% increase in individuals taking more than three trips annually in 2023 compared to 2019. A notable trend is the surge in interest towards spiritual destinations, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Searches for Ayodhya skyrocketed by 585%, followed by Ujjain at 359%, and Badrinath at 343% in just one year.
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Additionally, weekend getaways remain popular among Indian travelers. Locations like Jim Corbett National Park saw a 131% increase in searches, with Ooty and Munnar also ranking as top choices for short trips. On the international front, Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore capture 30% of all international travel searches, with cities like London, Toronto, and New York being the preferred long-haul destinations.
Emerging international spots such as Hong Kong, Almaty, Paro, Baku, Da Nang, and Tbilisi have also seen a dramatic increase in interest, indicating a growing curiosity for exploring new and unique destinations.
Travel Trends: When, With Whom, and How Does India Travel?
Family travel has seen a significant boost with bookings surging by 64% in 2023, outpacing the growth of solo travel bookings, which increased by 23%. Flight timings also show a clear preference, with half of all domestic flyers choosing flights between 9 am and 6 pm, regardless of the destination.
In terms of booking habits, 46% of domestic flight bookings and 33% of international hotel bookings are made less than a week and at least a month in advance, respectively. This suggests a flexible yet spontaneous approach to travel planning among Indian travelers. The most preferred in-flight meal on domestic routes is a simple yet popular choice: the Tomato Cucumber Cheese Lettuce Sandwich.
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Accommodation preferences also reflect a shift towards immediacy and value, with 56% of domestic leisure hotel bookings made less than a week before travel. Conversely, 33% of international bookings are planned at least 30 days in advance. The popularity of alternative accommodations like hostels and apartments is on the rise, with a 24% increase in bookings in 2023.
Payment methods have also evolved, with UPI emerging as the preferred method for nearly 40% of all transactions, indicating a shift towards digital and mobile-first payment solutions.
Regional Insights: A Closer Look at City-Specific Trends
The report provides detailed insights into how travel preferences vary across major Indian cities:
- Delhi: Popular destinations include Rishikesh and Amritsar, with a high preference for booking flights between noon and 6 pm.
- Mumbai: Prefers destinations like Goa and Pune, with a significant proportion of travelers opting for villas.
- Kolkata: Digha and Mandarmani are top choices, and travelers here book flights well in advance, especially for international trips.
- Chennai: Sees a high number of searches for Madurai and Pondicherry, with a preference for night flights.
- Bangalore: Chooses destinations like Mysore, Coorg, and Mangalore, with a distinct preference for villas.
- Hyderabad: Vishakhapatnam and Tirupati are the most searched destinations, with a mix of booking preferences that emphasize flexibility.
The Broader Impact and Outlook
As Indian travelers continue to diversify their travel preferences, both domestically and internationally, they are playing a pivotal role in shaping the tourism industry’s future. From increasing interest in spiritual and short-stay vacations to exploring lesser-known international destinations, the Indian traveler’s impact is profound and expanding, promising a dynamic evolution of global travel patterns.
This report by MakeMyTrip not only underscores the robust growth in the travel sector but also highlights the changing paradigms in how Indians are choosing to explore the world.
