Indians have a passion for exploring both their vast homeland and destinations abroad. India’s enthusiasm for travel is evident as two of its busiest airports, Delhi and Mumbai, rank among the world’s top 50 busiest airports, alongside other 3 major passenger hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. To understand favourite travel destinations of Indians within their country, Wowtickets.com, a UK based platform for booking affordable flight tickets that recently launched in India, has revealed travelling data by analyzing preferences of 36 million Indians across the nation. Wowtickets.com conducted a search survey nationally to gather insights about the cities and routes that Indians love travelling in India and the results show that Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Srinagar are the top 5 destinations.
Travel holds significant importance for individuals across all walks of life, whether they have a passion for exploration or lead busy professional lives. Motivations for travel vary greatly; some seek new destinations for leisurely escapes with loved ones, while others embark on journeys for professional purposes such as networking or seeking inspiration. According to a report from Crisil, the travel and tourism sector in India is projected to experience a growth rate of 12–14% in the coming years. India’s GDP growth has helped the travel and tourism sector thrive due to advancements in infrastructure and transportation, catering to the evolving preferences of younger travelers who seek memorable and unique experiences. In 2023, experts anticipate that the travel and tourism industry will generate approximately $9.5 trillion in revenue. Furthermore, projections suggest that by 2030, the global tourism market will soar to $16.9 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4% from 2022 to 2030. During this period, the Asia-Pacific region is poised to experience the most substantial growth compared to other regions.
Based on data from wowtickets.com, travellers from across India are actively seeking destinations renowned for their natural beauty, beaches, religious landmarks, and bustling business centers. Additionally, there is a demand for locations that offer glimpses into India’s rich historical heritage. Amongst the Top 15 destinations analyzed from 3.6 crore Indians, Goa is the most popular destination to travel amongst Indians, followed by Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru, owing to more professional demand. Srinagar is the fifth most popular destination.
According to the travelers, Pune and Patna hold the sixth and seventh positions, respectively. Both cities boast rich historical significance, with ancient forts preserving the memories of kings. Additionally, they are renowned for their vibrant art and cultural heritage. Kolkata, Leh, Chennai, Ahmedabad and Lucknow are renowned for their picturesque landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and historical significance. On thirteenth and fourteenth spot respectively, Varanasi and Guwahati are popular tourist destinations known for their ancient temples, with Varanasi particularly famous for its Ganga Ghats. Guwahati is also recognized for its museums. At fifteenth, Bagdogra stands out for its tea gardens, stunning views of the Himalayas, and lush forests.
Dmitrijus Konovalovas, Director & CEO of wowtickets.com, said: “India’s linguistic diversity is remarkable, with languages changing approximately every 100 kilometers, reflecting the nation’s rich cultural tapestry. The travel industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, poised to become a significant player in the global tourism market. Predictions indicate that by 2023, the global tourism market will reach a value of $16.9 trillion, with India’s tourism sector making substantial contributions. This is largely driven by the enthusiastic travel aspirations of India’s youth, who prioritize exploration and adventure. As Indians increasingly explore destinations within their own country, domestic tourism receives a significant boost, further fueling the nation’s tourism growth.”
- Top 15 most searched Indians destinations that Indians want to travel nationally
Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Pune, Patna, Kolkata, Leh, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Varanasi, Guwahati, Bagdogra.
Total searches were 3.6 crores.
The total searches in the pie diagram are in lakhs.
The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Mumbaikars want to travel nationally.
Goa, Delhi, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Dehra Dun, Patna, and Hyderabad.
Total searches were 31.86 lakh.
The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Delhiites want to travel to nationally
- Goa, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Pune, Patna, Kolkata, Leh, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Kochi, Bhubaneswar
Total searches were 35.09 lakh.
- The top 15 destinations Bengaluru wants to travel nationally
Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Patna, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Bagdogra, Guwahati
Total searches were 24.86 lakh.
- The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Hyderabadis want to travel to nationally
Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Tirupati, Varanasi, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Chandigarh.
Total searches were 10.98 lakh.
- The top 15 destinations Chennai travelers searched nationally.
Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Port Blair, Goa, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Pune, Kochi, Guwahati, Madurai, Patna, Srinagar
Total searches were 90.5 lakh.
- The top 15 destinations Kolkata travelers searched nationally.
Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Port Blair, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Agartala, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar
Total searches were 10.97 lakh.
Indians also searched for some strange locations where there were no direct flights or fewer flights available:
Lucknow to Gangtok, Lucknow to Puducherry, Mumbai to Leh, Pune to Goa, Srinagar to Mumbai and Delhi to Shirdi, Deoghar to Kochi, Lucknow to Imphal, Agra to Jaipur, Gaya to Chennai and Nasik to Varanasi
Total searches were 10.97 lakh.
About wowtickets.com: Wowtickets.com is a prominent travel booking platform dedicated to simplifying the travel experience for global travelers. Founded in the UK in 2014 and operated by Airnme Limited under the leadership of CEO Mr. Dmitrijus Konovalovas, the company’s mission is to empower travelers by offering cost-effective and convenient travel solutions. Wowtickets.com establishes direct connections with airlines, carriers, and global partners, ensuring the best ticket options. With a focus on providing exclusive deals, the organization is committed to offering cheaper flights, enhanced loyalty programs, and expanding its reach into new markets.
