Indian travellers are defying seasonal trends, with a surge in demand for monsoon travel getaways. Thomas Cook (India) Limited, the country’s leading omnichannel travel services company, and its group company, SOTC Travel, report a 25% increase in monsoon travel bookings compared to last year. This upswing comes as the monsoons paint the landscape a lush green, offering a refreshing escape from the summer heat.
Monsoon Travel See Surge Among Indian Travellers
The monsoon rains transform arid regions into vibrant havens. Travellers are showing a growing interest in nature-centric experiences. Popular choices include photography tours to Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers or Maharashtra’s Khaas-Pathar Valley.
Kerala reigns supreme with its hill stations like Munnar and Vagamon, pristine backwaters in Kumarakom, the wildlife-rich forests of Thekkady, and the serene Silent Valley.
Adventure seekers are drawn to trekking and hiking opportunities in Tawang’s forests and lakes (Arunachal Pradesh), exploring the magical root bridges of Meghalaya’s Cherrapunjee, or visiting the thermal Tiger Spring of Mahabaleshwar and the cascading Jog Falls in Karnataka. Unique stays are also gaining traction, with travellers opting for tea and coffee plantation experiences in Ooty, Coorg, Coonoor, and Yercaud.
Some Key Trends
- Domestic and short-haul travel lead the pack, with a respective growth of 22% and 25%.
- Popular destinations include Kashmir, Leh-Ladakh, the Andamans, Kerala, Rajasthan, Goa, Karnataka, and the North-Eastern states. Sri Lanka and Bhutan are popular choices in the Indian subcontinent.
- Spiritual and pilgrimage tours remain in demand. Destinations like Jyotirlingas, Varanasi, Mahakaleshwar, Omkareshwar, Dwarka, Somnath, Mallikarjuna, Rameswaram, and the Ramayana Trail in Sri Lanka attract devotees.
- Working professionals (20%), young millennials and Gen Z travellers (25%), and multigenerational families (18%) are the key demographics driving this travel surge.
- Offbeat monsoon destinations like Ooty, Coorg, Wayanad, Coonoor, Munnar, the Western Ghats, and the coastal belt are experiencing a rise in interest.
- Travellers opt for trekking, hiking, river rafting, waterfall rappelling, biking in Rishikesh, body surfing in Kerala and Karnataka, ziplining in Davki (Meghalaya), and whale watching in Sri Lanka.
- Wildlife enthusiasts are drawn to safaris in Jawai Dam and Desert National Park (Rajasthan), Nagarhole and Bandipur National Parks (Karnataka), and the Sunderbans (West Bengal).
- Regional and state festivals like the Kerala boat race, Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha, Kandy Perahera festival in Sri Lanka, and France Day in Puducherry are adding a cultural dimension to travel plans.
- Wellness tourism is flourishing, with a growing interest in traditional Ayurvedic treatments offered by resorts and retreats in Kerala.
Also Read: Starting At ₹23,420, IRCTC Announces A 5N/6D Travel Package To Explore Tripura
The monsoon season in India is no longer a reason to stay indoors. With its verdant landscapes, exciting activities, and budget-friendly options, it’s transforming into a popular travel period. Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel are at the forefront of catering to this adventurous new breed of monsoon traveller.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (Representative Image)
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