As the festive season approaches, a significant portion of urban Indians are gearing up for travel, with the majority favoring domestic destinations, according to the latest data from YouGov Surveys. The survey, conducted between August 13 and 16, 2024, reveals that 75 per cent of urban Indians are planning to travel between September and December, with millennials leading the charge at 80 per cent.
Domestic travel is the preferred choice for 72 per cent of those planning trips, with popular destinations including Goa (35 per cent), Kerala (26 per cent), and Himachal Pradesh (24 per cent). Meanwhile, 9 per cent are eyeing international getaways, with the Middle East topping the list at 46 per cent, followed by Europe (35 per cent) and Southeast Asia (34 per cent). Additionally, 19 per cent of respondents are considering a mix of both domestic and international travel.
The survey also highlights that while many are eager to travel, not all plans are set in stone. Half of the travelers have identified potential destinations but have not yet booked (51 per cent), 32 per cent have already made their arrangements, and 17 per cent are still in the early stages of planning.
Shorter vacations are favored during this period, with 47 per cent planning trips lasting about a week and 34 per cent opting for long weekends of up to three days. Around 19 per cent are considering longer vacations of up to two weeks or more.
When it comes to booking travel, MakeMyTrip emerges as the top platform, with nearly half of urban Indians preferring it for flights (50 per cent) and hotels (48 per cent). Booking.com is the second most popular platform for both flights (25 per cent) and hotels (27 per cent). EaseMyTrip and Goibibo also rank among the preferred choices for flight and hotel bookings, respectively.
This tech-forward approach extends to their preference for accommodations, as 76 per cent seek out hotels equipped with advanced amenities like robotic services and AI-enabled touchpoints. Moreover, 68 per cent of respondents are comfortable using AI to discover lesser-known, off-the-beaten-path destinations, signaling a shift towards personalized and unique travel experiences.
Despite the convenience of booking platforms, a majority (55 per cent) of urban Indians prefer to make their own travel arrangements. Around 30 per cent opt for bundled packages through online travel agencies, while 17 per cent rely on traditional travel agents.The upcoming long weekends are a significant factor influencing travel plans, with 27 per cent of respondents considering them an ideal travel window. The festive atmosphere is also a major draw, with 23 per cent citing it as a reason to travel during this period, along with year-end events (20 per cent) and festive deals on flights and hotels (19 per cent).
The YouGov survey was conducted online with a sample of 2,020 urban Indians between August 13 and 16, 2024. The data has been weighted by age, gender, and location to be representative of all adults in India (18 years or older) according to the latest population estimates. This data provides valuable insights into the travel preferences and behaviors of urban Indians as they prepare to make the most of the festive season.
