New Experiences Driving Growth in India Travel Sector
Skift Take
Indian travelers are exploring diverse tourism experiences. They are also willing to spend more on international trips even as they continue to look for budget accommodations.
A growing preference for new experiences such as sports, entertainment, cruises, wellness, and adventure is driving the growth of the travel sector in India, according to a new report by consultancy firm EY and Indian news group The Times of India Group. However, religious tourism still continues to be among the top preferences.
“Once considered a luxury, travel has become a source of wellbeing and a way to gather unique experiences, which may constitute shopping, activities or even culinary experiences,” the report said.
The study noted some key trends in India for 2024:
Travelers from Tier-1 and 2 cities preferred international travel according to visa trends, while those from Tier-3 cities are more inclined to travel domestically. The average length of stay has increased by one day for domestic trips and two days for international trips compared to 2022. Nearly 60% of the travel service providers have reported an increase in bookings as compared to 2022. “Indian traveler spending continues to grow with greater willingness to invest more in travel experiences. 80% of travel service providers have noticed increased travel budgets since 2022, with a quarter observing a rise of over 20%,” it said.