Travel aggregator MakeMyTrip shares insights into the year-end travel and booking trends in India
As the year-end holiday season approaches, it remains one of the most awaited travel periods for Indians. Insights from MakeMyTrip’s data on travel bookings and searches between December 16th and December 31st, 2024, reveal interesting trends in both domestic and international travel markets. The analysis highlights changing destination preferences, evolving travel behaviours, and a marked shift toward premium experiences, showcasing how Indian travellers are redefining their holiday choices.
Domestic Travel: A Love for Hills and Beaches
Within India, hill stations have seen a remarkable surge in popularity. Destinations like Manali, Varanasi, Mussoorie, and Udaipur have recorded double-digit growth in search volumes, underlining a clear preference for cooler climates and serene landscapes during the holiday season. Goa continues to dominate as the most sought-after domestic destination, contributing significantly to the top 20 most-searched cities.
Interestingly, 40% of the top domestic destinations are hill stations, reflecting a growing trend among travellers to escape to peaceful, scenic locations. Families and couples remain the primary drivers of domestic travel bookings, with December 25th seeing a peak in travel plans as holidaymakers extend their vacations into the New Year.
International Travel: A Blend of Classics and New Favourites
Globally, Indian travellers continue to favour destinations like Thailand, France, the UK, Australia, and the USA. However, emerging hotspots such as Azerbaijan and Malaysia have witnessed exponential growth, with search volumes increasing by 248% and 100%, respectively. Countries like Japan, Vietnam, and Turkey are also gaining popularity, indicating a shift toward culturally rich and unique experiences.
Solo travel for international trips has seen a significant 34% year-on-year increase, reflecting an evolving travel mindset. While most destinations showed growth, Canada and the Maldives bucked the trend, recording a decline in interest.
The Rise of Premium Travel
The year-end data highlights an increasing inclination toward premium travel experiences. Luxury hotel bookings priced above INR 10,000 now account for 22% of total bookings, up from 20% in 2023. Moreover, hotels in the highest price brackets saw their share rise to 57%, signalling a strong appetite for indulgence. Holiday packages, too, experienced double-digit growth, with average spending increasing by 7%.
Business-class travel has become a hallmark of this premiumization trend. Domestic business-class bookings have risen by 27%, while international business-class bookings surged by an impressive 80%, underscoring the preference for comfort and exclusivity.
Evolving Preferences and Longer Vacations
December 21st emerged as the most popular date for travel, both domestically and internationally according to MakeMyTrip. The data also reflects an increased interest in extending holiday durations, with travellers planning longer and more immersive vacations. While families and couples continue to dominate travel demographics, solo travel is steadily gaining traction, particularly for international destinations.
Transforming Travel Dynamics
The 2024 year-end travel trends highlight a growing emphasis on premium experiences and a shift toward exploring lesser-known destinations. Indian travellers are increasingly prioritizing quality over quantity, seeking out luxury accommodations, curated holiday packages, and culturally enriching destinations according to MakeMyTrip.
This evolution in travel behaviour points to a transformative phase for India’s travel industry, driven by rising expectations and changing preferences. As more Indians embrace the allure of longer vacations and high-end experiences, the festive season continues to be a reflection of the country’s dynamic and diverse travel landscape.
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