Intercity travel and international tourism see growth in year-end surge
Online travel agency firms are observing a shift in consumer preferences, with year-end travel data highlighting a surge in both intercity bookings and international tourism.
According to data from Yatra Online, international bookings are increasing for destinations like Dubai, Bali and Thailand during Christmas and New Year, while long-haul destinations such as London, Paris and Istanbul continue to be popular among Indian travellers.
Travellers are gravitating towards culturally rich destinations that offer a diverse mix of experiences, including beaches, nightlife, and cultural attractions, explained Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, ixigo.
Elaborating on the trend, he added, “For the first time, Maldives has not featured in the top 10 most-searched destinations for year-end travel, signalling a shift towards more varied and immersive vacations, moving away from traditional hotspots.”
Despite this broader trend, some exceptions remain. In India, Goa remains a top choice, with bookings expected to increase by 12-15 per cent compared to last year, says Sabina Chopra, COO of Corporate Travel at Yatra Online.
In addition to traditional vacation spots, there has been a noticeable rise in spiritual travel. More travellers are opting for spiritual journeys over leisure getaways. Rohit Sharma, Chief Operating Officer at AbhiBus, shared that “for every leisure traveller, six are opting for spiritual journeys,” highlighting this emerging trend. Spiritual destinations are growing in popularity, indicating a shift from the usual beach and resort-driven travel.
