A recent report by MakeMyTrip revealed a notable shift in international travel patterns among Indians. Over the past year, there has been a significant increase in the frequency of overseas trips, with travelers increasingly exploring new and emerging destinations.

The trend reflects changing preferences and behaviors in Indian tourism, driven by improved connectivity and evolving visa policies. We have listed out 7 key things featured in the report:

Rise in international travel

The number of Indians taking two or more overseas trips has surged by 32% year-on-year, while those making three or more international trips have risen by 37%. This increase underscores a growing appetite for international travel among Indians.

Top destinations

Despite the rise in travel frequency, the most popular destinations for Indian travelers have largely remained unchanged. The United Arab Emirates (UAE), Thailand, the United States (US), Singapore, and Indonesia continue to dominate the list. According to MakeMyTrip, these top ten countries accounted for 64% of all searches by Indian travelers.

New destinations

While traditional favorites hold strong, several new destinations have seen remarkable growth in interest. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan have experienced dramatic increases in online searches, up by 491% and 404%, respectively. Bhutan, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka have also seen more than double the search volumes compared to the previous year. “There has been a 70% increase in the combined search volume for the top 10 emerging destinations,” noted MakeMyTrip.

Factors behind the rise

Improved travel policies have contributed to the rise of these new destinations. Indian passport holders can now travel visa-free to countries like Kazakhstan, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka. Additionally, other emerging destinations offer convenient electronic visa processes, making travel more accessible and appealing.

Travel behaviors

Travel behaviors have shifted, with December emerging as the most active month for international travel searches. The period from October to December sees the highest search volumes for short-haul destinations, while mid and long-haul destinations are more frequently searched from April to September. This seasonality reflects the varied preferences for travel timing among Indians.

Last-minute bookings

A significant trend is the rise in last-minute bookings, with nearly half of international flights and 56% of hotel rooms booked less than two weeks before travel. Oman, Nepal, and the UAE are particularly popular for last-minute flight bookings, while Qatar, Oman, and Azerbaijan lead in last-minute hotel reservations.

Duration of stays

In contrast, European destinations tend to have longer booking windows. Travelers planning trips to Europe generally make reservations further in advance compared to other regions, highlighting a more deliberate planning approach for these popular destinations.

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When Indians travel abroad: 7 things about favourite destinations and trips