What Indian Travelers Are Looking For Now: India Report

Indian travelers prioritize value when choosing holiday destinations, with choices significantly influenced by flight costs and attraction expenses. But they also book business class or first class tickets.

These insights were revealed in a report published by Skyscanner on Tuesday, the first from the travel search engine focused on India.

According to the report, 63% of Indian travelers plan to increase their travel budget by 2024. Only 7% of respondents said they will spend less, while 25% intend to keep the same budget.

By 2023, Skyscanner saw a 55% increase in the number of people searching the website, he said. Mohit Joshitravel trends and destination expert at Skyscanner.

Here are other insights from the report.

Indian travelers get their inspiration from movies and TV

Film and television play an important role in travel inspiration, with 39% using film and TV as sources of travel ideas. After the launch of season 3 of “Emily in Paris,“Skyscanner recorded a 23% increase in searches from India to Paris in January 2023.

The report also noted that while 94% of Indian travelers are inspired to take a trip to a destination they have seen on the big or small screen, only 62% continue to book these.

They are looking for Experiences

Food, culture and climate rank as the top three factors influencing the choice of holiday destinations for 2024.

Shopping, historical tours and sampling Local cooking is the most popular activity while abroad.

Music and Lyrics: About 37% of Indian travelers, referred to as “superfans”, are willing to fly short-haul to see their favorite artists perform live, with 20% willing to go long-haul for such experiences.

Additionally, 44% said they plan to attend a music concert, concert or festival in 2024, and 79% would consider traveling abroad for a music event, as long as they see value in it.

Food for thought: Indians are passionate about culinary experiences and according to Skyscanner, 59% of respondents chose a destination based solely on food offerings. Joshi said this discovery was a surprise even to him.

Short and Long Distance Destinations

The report highlights Indian travelers’ preference for short-haul trips, with six of the 10 trending destinations located near cities. Destination to the beach Da Nang in Vietnam tops the list, with Krabi and Seychelles The island of Mahé also gain popularity.

Among distant destinations, Osaka and Auckland are the main destinations, with Japan being a major gastronomic destination that attracts travelers.

Sleep health and withdrawal

Skyscanner’s report reveals a growing interest in sleep health among Indian travelers. Almost 85% of respondents claim to be more careful about their sleep health today compared to previous years. In addition, a fifth considers sleep as one of the primary activities for their next vacation and 66% said they sleep better on vacation.

However, 46% of Indian travelers admit that they don’t get 7-8 hours of sleep per night. A significant 65% of travelers feel the need for a “sleep withdrawal” remedy in 2024.

And what keeps them awake?

Digital habits: While 90% of Indian travelers consider leaving work important, they struggle to completely disconnect from work life. About 43% check work email, and 30% even looked for a new job while on vacation.

Around 60% find themselves planning their next holiday on the phone, while 59% scroll through social media, and 56% shop online in preparation for their return home.

Joshi referred to India as an expanding market, highlighting the sustained growth of the search engine since last year. In August, Skyscanner introduced a Hindi version of its platform to meet the specific needs of Indian travelers.

3′ Cool‘ Words we learn

Luxury seekers for less: Despite the cost of living issues, travelers are willing to spend a little more money for that little bit of extra comfort.

Gig Tripping: Mixing up their concert plans by going abroad to see their favorite artists play.

Budget Candle Foodies: Travelers who have booked a destination purely based on the culinary experience.

Photo Credit: Indian travelers prioritize value for money when choosing their holiday destinations.