Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbour is crossed by a traditional junk boat.According to recent consumer data from KAYAK, the world’s top travel search engine, Indians’ interest in traveling is rising as the Diwali holiday approaches in the coming months. Indians are keen to travel during this festival season, which starts with Navratri and Dussehra and lasts through Diwali and Bhai Dooj, according to a KAYAK consumer study of 1,200 Indians. KAYAK’s consumer study revealed that 98% of Indians surveyed intended to travel within India over the festive period, with 3 out of 5 of those surveyed (60%) wanting to travel worldwide over the festive travel period. This is a time of year when many people return to their hometowns.
These conclusions are consistent with KAYAK search data for travel in October and November, which shows a 29% increase in domestic flight searches over the previous year and a 14% increase in foreign flight searches (based on Indian outbound searches between January and August 2023)*.
In terms of domestic travel within India, half (54%) of those surveyed intend to make two or more visits. The most popular domestic flight destinations during the holiday season on KAYAK are Ahmedabad (103%), Bhubaneswar (105%), and Madurai (165% more searches than last year). Colombo, Sri Lanka (340% rise), Hong Kong (162% increase), Seychelles (139% increase), and Tokyo, Japan (128% increase) are the top-trending international flight destinations.
Budgeting for the holiday trip and setting travel priorities
72% of Indians are willing to spend similarly to or more than they did last year on travel over the holiday season. In fact, 4 out of 5 Indians intend to raise their trip budgets this season by cutting back on discretionary spending on things like gadgets and OTT.
The average price of an overseas ticket during the holiday season was 73,371, up only 8% from the previous year, while the average domestic trip cost was $15,487, up 14%*. With a 52% increase in premium economy searches over the previous year and a 33% spike in searches for 4 and 5-star hotels over the holiday travel season, Indians appear to be pampering themselves.
From Generation to Generation
The most likely group to book overseas travel during the holiday season is India’s aspirational Millennial age, which sets and breaks trends. Compared to only 16% of Baby Boomers, 37% of millennials intend to travel abroad on two or more occasions.
While the majority of Indians (4 in 5) intend to travel with family during the Christmas season, and this is undoubtedly the case for Baby Boomers (93%), Gen Z travelers prefer to travel with friends (59%).
Anse aux Pins, Mahe, Seychelles: lovely beach, tropical getaway
In order to highlight how simple it is to book family travel or even solo travel over the forthcoming holiday season, KAYAK has teamed up with Indian actor Mrunal Thakur.
“Indians place a great deal of importance on holiday and Diwali customs. For my family and myself, the holiday season has always been associated with an unforgettable celebration that embodies the joy of the season but with the excitement turned up to 11. KAYAK is my go-to travel companion and helps me get the best rates on hotels, flights, and even rental cars. I’m eager to use KAYAK to organize my upcoming trip as Diwali draws near, said Mrunal Thakur, an actress and campaign ambassador.
Top Travel Destinations for Indians During the Holiday Season
Trips within Asia (excluding domestic flights within India) are trending for individuals contemplating an overseas trip over the holiday season, with searches up 133% from the previous year. There have been noticeable increases in searches for flights to South America and the South Pacific (i.e., Australia and New Zealand), with 95% and 16% increases, respectively.
Dubai is the top international vacation destination for the holiday season, followed by Bangkok, Bali, and Singapore*. The most popular internal travel destination was Goa, which was followed by Delhi, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Srinagar.
“This festive season is shaping up to be quite exciting for Indian travelers, with a large majority of those surveyed ready to take that much-anticipated trip, or going by the data, taking multiple trips,” said Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager for KAYAK. Indian travelers may find the ideal vacation at a cheap price thanks to KAYAK’s wide range of flight, hotel, and car rental options.
View of the Hindu temple to Lord Shiva built in the 10th century, Mukteshwara Temple. Bhubaneswar, India’s Orissa
Travel and Food: The Ideal Combination for a Festive Holiday
So, what are Indians most anticipating this Diwali holiday? Unsurprisingly, 72% of Indians consider food and culinary experiences, along with shopping and experiencing local markets, to be among the most pleasurable vacation activities. Additionally, 45% of respondents believed that food deserved the ‘five-star indulgence’ when choosing a hotel.
Indian travelers value experiencing local culture in addition to eating well. Gen X (72%) and Baby Boomers (75%) prefer to go to places with rich cultures, traditions, and legacy, compared to Gen Z (64%), while embarking on new explorations during a holiday so strongly embedded in the nation’s diverse historical and mythical landscape. In contrast to Baby Boomers (36%), Gen Z (58%) and Millennials (56%) of Indians prefer vacation spots with adventure and activities.
Sit Back & Celebrate – Letting AI Tool Support Your Travel Technology will undoubtedly play a significant role in the travel planning process. Approximately 60% of Gen Z and Millennial Indians, compared to 49% of Baby Boomers, say they will use AI to plan their vacations in the next two years.
“Travel isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, and KAYAK’s personalized recommendations identify the best time to be there at a great price,” said Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager for KAYAK. In addition to data research, our recently created Best Time To Travel also reveals significant events at your preferred destination.
Source- Travel daily
Link- https://www.traveldailymedia.com/indians-want-to-travel-this-festive-season-kayak/
