Kazakhstan, azerbaijanBhutan, Thailand India and Bhutan are among the most popular international destinations preferred by Indian travellers and travel to these destinations seems likely to pick up later in the year. December Planning for this is already underway. A recent travel report by an online travel company highlights Indian outbound travel behaviour, significant growth patterns, and emerging destinations based on searches and bookings made on the platform.
A report by MakeMyTrip says that International Travel Search volumes remain relatively stable across all seasons, with December being the most active month for international travel searches. The October-December quarter sees the most searches for short-haul trips, while the six-month period between April and September sees more searches for medium- and long-haul trips. The report also shows that popular destinations such as United Arab EmiratesMalaysia, Thailand and the USA top the list of favourite destinations visited by Indians, while Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Bhutan lead the list of emerging destinations.
Some other highlights of the report are as follows:
Stroller boom: More Indians are travelling to international destinations, with the number of people taking two or more trips in a year increasing by 32%. The top ten most searched countries remain the same as in 2023, contributing to 64% of all international searches on the platform. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi lead the way in terms of international travel searches. The UK, Australia and Germany are the most popular destinations for students.
Emerging hotspotsThe combined search volume for the top 10 emerging destinations has increased by 70%. Almaty and Baku have witnessed phenomenal growth rates of 527% and 395% respectively. The overall contribution of searches for emerging destinations on the platform has increased from 10% to 14%, indicating that Indians are exploring new global destinations.
Demand for business class: Indians are increasingly interested in luxury travel, with searches for business class flights increasing by 10% in the international segment. Hong Kong saw the highest increase in searches at 131%, followed by Sri Lanka, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.
Luxury vs. Budget Vacations: While Indians are looking for pocket-friendly experiences, nearly 50% of international hotel bookings fall in the tariff bracket above Rs 7,000 per night. While New York is the most expensive place to book hotels, South Asian destinations such as Pokhara, Pattaya and Kuala Lumpur have emerged as the top destinations for budget-friendly stay options. Travellers from Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana spend the most on premium hotel bookings. In contrast, travellers from Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu prefer budget hotels.
Demand for homestays and villas is on the rise: Searches for homestays and villas have increased by 42%. Bali, Dubai and Singapore account for the highest share of homestay and villa searches, while cities like Interlaken, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome are also leading the trend, with the largest increase in search volumes.
Jet-set for leisure: Of all trips to international destinations, 55 per cent are for leisure, followed by 33 per cent for VFR (visiting friends and relatives). Thailand is the most preferred holiday destination for Indians. 44% of international travellers from West Bengal chose Thailand as a foreign destination. UAE, Europe, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are the other top holiday destinations for Indian travellers.
Interest in nightlife: More than a third of Indians prefer urban destinations with vibrant nightlife. West Bengal and Punjab account for the highest number of travellers seeking urban nightlife. BangkokPattaya, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City are the top five destinations for travellers seeking vibrant urban nightlife. Additionally, 23% of Indians are also inclined towards shopping and luxury, with Dubai and Singapore being the top favourites.
Flexibility, assurance and love for extras: Japan, Europe, USA and South Korea are the top destinations where Indians opted for zero cancellation for flight bookings. On the other hand, UAE, Thailand, Europe and USA had the highest share of travellers who bought travel insurance. Indians also love excess baggage – travellers from Rajasthan booked the most excess baggage, followed by people from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Also, Europe, UAE, Singapore and USA saw the highest share of travellers who opted to buy travel insurance. Visa Rejection full refund.
Impulsive Travel: Nearly 50% of international flights and 56% of international hotel rooms are booked less than 14 days before the travel date. Oman, Nepal and the UAE have the highest number of last-minute flight bookings, while Qatar, Oman and Azerbaijan lead the list of last-minute hotel bookings. On the other hand, European cities have the longest advance purchase (AP) window.
A report by MakeMyTrip says that International Travel Search volumes remain relatively stable across all seasons, with December being the most active month for international travel searches. The October-December quarter sees the most searches for short-haul trips, while the six-month period between April and September sees more searches for medium- and long-haul trips. The report also shows that popular destinations such as United Arab EmiratesMalaysia, Thailand and the USA top the list of favourite destinations visited by Indians, while Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan and Bhutan lead the list of emerging destinations.
Some other highlights of the report are as follows:
Stroller boom: More Indians are travelling to international destinations, with the number of people taking two or more trips in a year increasing by 32%. The top ten most searched countries remain the same as in 2023, contributing to 64% of all international searches on the platform. Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi lead the way in terms of international travel searches. The UK, Australia and Germany are the most popular destinations for students.
Emerging hotspotsThe combined search volume for the top 10 emerging destinations has increased by 70%. Almaty and Baku have witnessed phenomenal growth rates of 527% and 395% respectively. The overall contribution of searches for emerging destinations on the platform has increased from 10% to 14%, indicating that Indians are exploring new global destinations.
Demand for business class: Indians are increasingly interested in luxury travel, with searches for business class flights increasing by 10% in the international segment. Hong Kong saw the highest increase in searches at 131%, followed by Sri Lanka, Japan, Saudi Arabia and Malaysia.
Luxury vs. Budget Vacations: While Indians are looking for pocket-friendly experiences, nearly 50% of international hotel bookings fall in the tariff bracket above Rs 7,000 per night. While New York is the most expensive place to book hotels, South Asian destinations such as Pokhara, Pattaya and Kuala Lumpur have emerged as the top destinations for budget-friendly stay options. Travellers from Karnataka, Telangana, Maharashtra, Delhi and Haryana spend the most on premium hotel bookings. In contrast, travellers from Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu prefer budget hotels.
Demand for homestays and villas is on the rise: Searches for homestays and villas have increased by 42%. Bali, Dubai and Singapore account for the highest share of homestay and villa searches, while cities like Interlaken, Kuala Lumpur, Paris, Amsterdam and Rome are also leading the trend, with the largest increase in search volumes.
Jet-set for leisure: Of all trips to international destinations, 55 per cent are for leisure, followed by 33 per cent for VFR (visiting friends and relatives). Thailand is the most preferred holiday destination for Indians. 44% of international travellers from West Bengal chose Thailand as a foreign destination. UAE, Europe, Indonesia, Singapore and Vietnam are the other top holiday destinations for Indian travellers.
Interest in nightlife: More than a third of Indians prefer urban destinations with vibrant nightlife. West Bengal and Punjab account for the highest number of travellers seeking urban nightlife. BangkokPattaya, Kuala Lumpur, Abu Dhabi and Ho Chi Minh City are the top five destinations for travellers seeking vibrant urban nightlife. Additionally, 23% of Indians are also inclined towards shopping and luxury, with Dubai and Singapore being the top favourites.
Flexibility, assurance and love for extras: Japan, Europe, USA and South Korea are the top destinations where Indians opted for zero cancellation for flight bookings. On the other hand, UAE, Thailand, Europe and USA had the highest share of travellers who bought travel insurance. Indians also love excess baggage – travellers from Rajasthan booked the most excess baggage, followed by people from Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. Also, Europe, UAE, Singapore and USA saw the highest share of travellers who opted to buy travel insurance. Visa Rejection full refund.
Impulsive Travel: Nearly 50% of international flights and 56% of international hotel rooms are booked less than 14 days before the travel date. Oman, Nepal and the UAE have the highest number of last-minute flight bookings, while Qatar, Oman and Azerbaijan lead the list of last-minute hotel bookings. On the other hand, European cities have the longest advance purchase (AP) window.
