KAYAK reveals travel trends for Indian tourists this festive season

Mumbai, 23rd September 2022: The festive season travel period (between September 1 to November 30) of 2022 has become one of the most eagerly awaited in recent years. After an easing of COVID travel restrictions, tourism activity is picking up again, as travellers’ desire for new destinations and new experiences increases once again.

This is suggested by search data from KAYAK.co.in, the world’s leading travel search engine, which has analysed flight searches for the 2022 festive season travel period. The data shows fight searches from airports in India have increased by about 118% compared to pre-pandemic levels. International flight searches have increased by about 143% and domestic flight searches have increased by about 91%* .

Indian travellers do not appear to be deterred by higher flight prices either, which compared to 2019 have increased by about 38% for international flights and by about 39% for domestic flights*. The average cost of a return economy domestic flight during the festive period is about INR 8,585, and about INR 56,332 for a return international economy flight*.

“The stars are aligned for Indians to take that much-awaited trip as restrictions worldwide are eased or removed entirely, just in time for the country’s festive period to set in.

It appears that Indian travellers are making up for lost time and are more willing to travel than before the pandemic, according to the number of searches carried out on KAYAK.co.in. In addition to flight interest surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we have also seen searches for hotels surpass that of 2019.

There are great deals to be grabbed this festive season, try using flexible search options and filters on KAYAK to identify the most affordable dates, and set price alerts for your preferred destinations,” said Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager, KAYAK.

KAYAK reveals the travel trends for Indians to enjoy this festive season period, including how their travel habits and where they’re heading this year, as well as the inbound tourism trends shaping the festive season 2022.

KAYAK.co.in search insights over the Festive travel period*:

● Hotel searches up: Hotel searches by Indian travellers have increased by about 34% compared to 2019, with domestic hotel searches increased about 98%.

● Hotel prices up slightly: International prices for one night in a double room in 3-4 star hotel international hotel rooms have increased by about 22% compared to 2019 for Indian KAYAK users, and for domestic hotel rooms by about 25%.

● Shorter international trips: Although searches indicate Indian travellers will be travelling more this festive season, the duration of their vacations looks to be shorter than in 2019 for international travel at 24 days (decreasing about 13% on 2019), based on flight search data.

● Longer domestic trips: The average trip duration, according to flight search data, is about 6 days in 2022 (increasing by a day compared to 2019).

KAYAK.co.in search insights for top destinations for Indian travellers over the festive season travel period*:

With more Indians searching for flights this year than pre-pandemic, international travel is on the cards for many this festive season. Dubai remains the most searched destination for festive season travel, while Bangkok, London and Singapore also feature high on the list. Goa was the most searched domestic destination followed by New Delhi and Mumbai.

There is significant interest in Indian travellers visiting domestic locations, with six out of the top 10 most searched hotel destinations, in India.

KAYAK.co.in search insights on inbound travel to India over the festive season^:

The United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Qatar, New Zealand, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia are the top nations that support inbound tourism to India according to flight searches^.

Inbound travellers have shown a preference for major Indian cities, with the most searched hotels being New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Ahmedabad.

Inbound tourists can expect about a 31% increase in return economy flight costs to India compared to the same period in 2019, and to find hotels in India for about 10% more per night in a double room in a 3-4 star hotel during the travel period.

KAYAK travel tips:

● Use a travel search engine: KAYAK has the tools and filters to help you find great deals, including the Explore page, which shows destinations by price. Before planning your journey, check the latest travel restrictions in your destination. KAYAK’s travel restrictions map provides real-time updates on COVID-19 restrictions and entry requirements of individual countries.

● Set a price alert: As one of KAYAK’s most popular features, price alerts help travellers save money by alerting them when prices change for a flight or hotel they want. If a flight you’re eyeing drops in price, KAYAK will alert you so they can lock in that new price, instantly saving you both time and money.

● Get flexible: If you can be, choose ‘flexible’ filters. If your travel dates aren’t set in stone, and you have a little wiggle room available, chances are you can save some cash booking within +/- 3 days of your desired date range.