2023 was an eventful year for the Indian travel and tourism industry. This year, the focus on sustainable travel was high, as travellers were conscious of the environmental impact and looked for ways to reduce their carbon footprints. This led to a surge in demand for eco-friendly accommodations, support for local communities and a preference for ethical, cultural experiences.
Additionally, travelling to offbeat destinations and unexplored gems was a hit this year. This is why, places like Vietnam, Seychelles, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Bulgaria, and Zanzibar have emerged as the go-to travel destinations.
Post-Covid, people wish to indulge in rejuvenating experiences and travel to unwind. Hence, 2023 was all about planning wellness-oriented vacations for relaxation of the mind, body, and soul. It was the year when we saw people opting for value-for-money travel experiences, but we also observed their willingness to shell out money on experiences they desire to make their trips memorable.
In 2024, we expect trends like gig-tripping, food-influenced vacations, coolcation, and set-jetting to shape the travel industry’s landscape.
Astro-tourism is becoming more and more popular, reflecting a general desire for deeper bonds with the universe and establishing India as a destination of choice for those looking for experiences in space that go beyond the typical. This increase, says Aditya Sharma, Community Director at Vaatalya, is attributed to the discovery of dark sky sanctuaries and reserves in places like Hanle in Ladakh, Benital and more.
20 to 25 per cent jump in domestic flight, travel bookings
In terms of bookings, this year, both summer and winter travel spiked. Despite the high air fares, bookings for summer travel went on to touch pre-pandemic levels. Domestic flight and travel bookings witnessed an uptick of 20-25 per cent in the travel segment. Similarly, during the festive time period in the winter months, travel demand increased significantly. The uptick in travel gained momentum as we saw a surge in bookings during Christmas and New Year.
Additionally, international travel has also boomed this year. With the recent visa-free travel policy to some prominent locations, outbound foreign tourism from India has certainly spiked.
In 2024, the demand for travel will continue to surge, and we anticipate high travel volumes and an increase in bookings.
The author is the CEO of EaseMyTrip.
DISCLAIMER: The views expressed are solely of the author and ETTravelWorld.com does not necessarily subscribe to it. ETTravelWorld.com shall not be responsible for any damage caused to any person/organisation directly or indirectly.
