India’s spiritual tourism sector is witnessing a remarkable transformation, with pilgrimage destinations now accounting for over 10 per cent of MakeMyTrip’s quarterly room bookings in early 2025. The platform has recorded a striking 46 per cent increase in searches for sacred sites since 2022, reflecting a growing preference for meaningful spiritual journeys over conventional holidays. To cater to this evolving market, particularly focusing on families and elderly travellers, MakeMyTrip has introduced ‘Loved by Devotees’. Here are all of the other important details that you would need to know about this new feature.
What Is MakeMyTrip’s New Feature ‘Loved By Devotees’?
Loved By Devotees has a curated collection of more than 450 accommodation options across 26 major pilgrimage destinations. This initiative aims to simplify the booking process for spiritual seekers by offering pre-vetted stays that meet specific criteria.
The selection process for these accommodations is rigorous, with properties requiring a minimum rating of 3.5 on MakeMyTrip’s platform. Six key factors determine inclusion. They are proximity to religious sites, accessibility from transport hubs, availability of pure vegetarian dining options, secure parking facilities, dedicated travel assistance, and senior-friendly amenities.
The latter includes essential features such as wheelchair access, doctor-on-call services, lifts and first-aid facilities. The collection spans prominent spiritual centres throughout India, from Amritsar in the north to Rameshwaram in the south.
How Does The Travel Platform Plan On Moving Forward?
The feature also encompasses destinations such as Varanasi, Tirupati, Shirdi and the recently developed Ayodhya. Travellers can easily identify these properties through the ‘Loved by Devotees’ tag on the platform’s app and website.
Looking ahead, MakeMyTrip plans to expand this initiative by including additional destinations and properties. This development reflects a broader shift in Indian tourism, where spiritual journeys are increasingly being recognised as a significant sector requiring specialised services and amenities to enhance the pilgrim experience.
What do you think of this new feature of the travel platform? Do you think you will find this particular feature helpful in planning your religious or spiritual travels? Let us know in the comments section below!
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