Indian tourists are changing their travel plans this season. The ongoing conflict in the Middle East is reshaping people’s choices and travel destinations. Travellers are increasingly gravitating towards more accessible international destinations and expanding their options within India. Read on to find out more about the shift in travel trends.
Shift In Travel Plans For Indian Travellers
Recently, as per a report by Ixigo, India’s leading AI-based travel platform has been witnessing a shift in travel preferences among travellers with the increasing option for alternate international destinations and domestic getaways in recent weeks. This new trend in a shift in travel preferences is driven by evolving global relations, including flight disruptions and airspace constraints in the Middle East. This shift is prompting holiday makers to favour more easy-to-reach locations and familiar destinations.
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Top Destinations For Indians In March
For travel in March, Asian destinations have witnessed a strong surge in flight bookings. Vietnam has emerged as the top international destination with a 130% increase in bookings, followed by Nepal (88%), Sri Lanka (68%), Indonesia (33%), Singapore (32%) and Thailand (22%). While the Middle East has traditionally been among the top international choices for Indian travellers, recent conflicts have seen preferences shift towards accessible and more stable alternatives.
Not only International destinations, but also domestic travel is gaining strong momentum. Rajasthan is dominating the list with the majority of flight bookings in the state. Cities like Udaipur are seeing a 69% rise in flight bookings, followed by Jodhpur (47%), Bagdogra (44%), Srinagar (41%), Agartala (38%), Goa (22%), Jammu (18%) and Dehradun (17%). These cities have also seen steady growth, reflecting a growing preference for easy, predictable and shorter-haul travel options closer to home.
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Talking about the growing trend, co-founder and group CEO, Aloke Bajpai, of Ixigo, said that travel patterns are witnessing a noticeable shift, with Indian travellers exploring a wider mix of international destinations this month. While the Middle East has always been the top international pick for Indian travellers, this time of the year, recent weeks have seen preferences shift towards a wider set of markets amid evolving global dynamics. Indian travellers are moving toward Southeast Asian markets, with flight bookings rising significantly.
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FAQs
Is ixigo an Indian company?
Yes, Ixigo is an Indian company.
As per Ixigo, what is the most preferred destination in Asia among Indians?
Vietnam is the most preferred destination in Asia among Indians.
Which is the most visited place in Asia?
The Great Wall of China is the most visited place in Asia.