The report offers invaluable insight and breaks the general perception of India as a price-sensitive market. Indian travellers, traditionally known for their cost-conscious approach, are now increasingly willing to pay a premium for enriching experiences. This shift is reflected in the fact that 50% of hotel bookings were made for branded chains, and flight bookings surged despite a 30% rise in flight prices. Quality experiences and comfort are now as important as affordability in the minds of the Indian traveller.
Air travel continues to be a top choice for Indian travellers, with over 400,000 passengers flying daily. Additionally, group travel has experienced an impressive 30% increase this year. While price remains important, factors such as on-time travel and comfort have gained prominence among new-age audiences and premium travellers. This emphasis on quality services and brand reputation is reshaping the airline industry. A growing preference for booking exclusive properties, like entire villas, for a personalized and comfortable holiday experience has also been observed, underscoring the shift towards experiential travel.
Interestingly, even the booking patterns have shifted as 60% of international travellers are booking travellers flights well in advance while only 15% of domestic travelers do the same, signifying the rise in spontaneous trips. The report also highlights how travellers are not merely exploring well-trodden paths but are actively seeking out lesser-known destinations. Customers are getting travel inspiration from various sources such as social media, recommendations from friends or colleagues, and marketing promotions from brands.
Over 50% of travellers are now seeking and inquiring about offbeat locations, aligning with the growing trend of experiential travel.
Chirag Agrawal, Co-founder of TravClan, added, “Government initiatives like UDAN and Dekho Apna Desh have greatly boosted domestic tourism. Improved air connectivity, spontaneous trip planning, and regional travel trends all point towards an optimistic future for the Indian travel industry. These trends offer immense opportunities for travel agents and the industry as a whole.”
Other key insights include:
• Domestic air connectivity encourages travellers to cover longer distances for short vacations to locations such as Kerala and Kashmir.
• Corporate clients are increasingly booking stays at branded hotels for retreats and off-site meetings.
• Destinations like Himachal Pradesh and Kerala account for nearly 25% of all domestic tourism on the TravClan platform.
• Experiential travel trends have boosted the utilization of local travel agents who offer personalized experiences.
• Travellers are investing more time in researching destinations before booking, increasing the time to book by up to 20%.
• Travel agents are focusing more on learning and upskilling, with an average agent dedicating about 20-30% of their time to learning about new destinations.
• Travel package bookings have risen, indicating travellers’ preference for well planned experiences along with completely planned itinerary
