MAM
Decoding the Indian summer: Travel insights from Booking.com
Mumbai: Every year summer uncovers intriguing travel patterns about Indian travellers. This year, summer promises to be a season of exploration and rejuvenation for travellers who are seizing this opportunity to travel either at home or venturing overseas. According to Booking.com Travel Predictions 2024, 57 per cent of Indians are looking at a long domestic trip and 43 per cent want to take a long international trip (5+ nights) this year.
With summer fast approaching, Booking.com shares insights on where Indian travellers are headed to create unforgettable memories this summer.
Domestic Delights: Seeking respite in the mountains and by the Sea
The mountains remain irresistible for Indians looking at escaping the summer heat with 50 per cent of Indian travellers stating that they would like to take a nature trip this year followed by a beach trip (48 per cent) and a city trip (37 per cent).
According to Booking.com search data, metro cities Bengaluru and Mumbai lead the chart as the most searched destinations this summer. Besides metropolitan cities, hill stations continue to be the top choice for travellers seeking scenic landscapes, adventure activities and a chance to unwind amidst nature. Ooty takes the lead in the most searched leisure destination followed by Srinagar and Manali. Goa’s iconic beaches remain a favourite for beach lovers looking to soak in some summer sun.
Top 10 most searched leisure destinations for Indian travellers travelling domestically from April 15 to July 15, 2024. Ranking as compared to the same time last year.
Ooty (-1)
Srinagar (+2)
Manali (-4)
Darjeeling (-1)
Goa (0)
Kodaikanal (+4)
Puri (-2)
Rishikesh (-2)
Munnar (-1)
Mussoorie (+2)
International Escapes: Seeking unique experiences beyond the border
While domestic travel continues to shine, Indians are also exploring short and long-haul destinations within Asia and beyond. Competitive packages, easier booking processes and improved visa access have made foreign travel more accessible to Indian tourists. This summer, 40 per cent are travelling within the Asia Pacific region, 20 per cent to the Middle East and 40 per cent to London, New York and European countries.
Dubai with its luxurious offerings and futuristic appeal tops the list of most searched international destinations this year. Asia’s vibrant culture continues to hold immense charm with cities like Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo and Bali high on Indians’ summer travel wish list.
Top 10 most searched destinations by Indians travelling internationally from April 15 to July 15, 2024. Ranking as compared to the same time last year.
Dubai (0)
Singapore (0)
London (0)
Paris (0)
Bangkok (0)
New York (+5)
Tokyo (+5)
Bali (-1)
Makkah (-3)
Amsterdam (0)
Domestic Delights: Seeking respite in the mountains and by the sea
The mountains remain irresistible for Indians looking at escaping the summer heat with 50 per cent of Indian travellers stating that they would like to take a nature trip this year followed by a beach trip (48 per cent) and a city trip (37 per cent).
According to Booking.com search data, metro cities Bengaluru and Mumbai lead the chart as the most searched destinations this summer. Besides metropolitan cities, hill stations continue to be the top choice for travellers seeking scenic landscapes, adventure activities and a chance to unwind amidst nature. Ooty takes the lead in the most searched leisure destination followed by Srinagar and Manali. Goa’s iconic beaches remain a favourite for beach lovers looking to soak in some summer sun.
Top 10 most searched leisure destinations for Indian travellers travelling domestically from April 15 to July 15, 2024. Ranking as compared to the same time last year.
Ooty (-1)
Srinagar (+2)
Manali (-4)
Darjeeling (-1)
Goa (0)
Kodaikanal (+4)
Puri (-2)
Rishikesh (-2)
Munnar (-1)
Mussoorie (+2)
Demographics decoded
From bustling cities that attract solo travellers, to leisure destinations that attract family and group travellers to vibrant metropolises and charming hill stations that are a preference for couples, Booking.com shares insights into what different travellers are looking for in their summer holidays.
1. Solo Travellers: City Breaks
Top 5 most searched domestic destinations: Mumbai, Bengaluru, New Delhi, Gurgaon and Chennai
Top 5 most searched international destinations: Dubai, London, Paris, Berlin and Toronto
2. Families: Nature Escapes
Top 5 most searched domestic destinations: Ooty, Srinagar, Manali, Darjeeling and Mumbai
Top 5 most searched international destinations: Singapore, Dubai, London, Paris and Tokyo
3. Groups: Scenic Getaways
Top 5 most searched domestic destinations: Manali, Ooty, Goa, Darjeeling and Srinagar
Top 5 most searched international destinations: Dubai, Singapore, London, Makkah and Paris
4. Couples: Bustling metros to serene retreats
Top 5 most searched domestic destinations: Bengaluru, Mumbai, Ooty, Srinagar and New Delhi
Top 5 most searched international destinations: Dubai, London, Singapore, Paris and Bangkok
Booking.com country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia Santosh Kumar said, “Summer has always been a peak travel season, but in recent years witnessing a significant shift in how Indians approach it. While Indians are exploring both domestic and overseas destinations, we are seeing travellers gravitating towards culturally significant or leisure-oriented destinations with a growing desire for immersive experiences. This optimism indicates one thing for sure: the Indian spirit of travel remains undeterred. Booking.com remains committed to making it easier for travellers to plan their summer holidays by providing flights, rental cars, attractions and of course unique places to stay.”
Methodology
1. This release looks at search sessions between 29-02-2024 to 10-03-2024, with check-in dates between 15-04-2024 and 15-07-2024.
2. Couples: 2 adults, Family: 2 adults and 1 or more child, Solo: 1 adult, Group: more than 2 adults
Brands
Jio Platforms Limited appoints Dan Bailey as president to drive its international business
London-based telecom veteran joins the executive committee, and will report to Akash Ambani
MUMBAI: India’s digital disruptor is sharpening its global claws. Jio Platforms Limited has appointed Dan Bailey as president to drive its international business, signalling that the next leg of its growth story will be written well beyond Indian shores.
Based in London, Bailey will report to Akash Ambani, chairman of Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, and take a seat on Jio Platforms’ executive committee. His mandate: translate Jio’s domestic dominance into global heft.
Announcing the appointment, Akash Ambani said: “We are delighted to welcome Dan to Jio. Dan has been a trusted advisor to us for many years, and his counsel has been invaluable as we have grown and evolved.”
He added: “He has spent his career at the centre of the global telecom and technology ecosystem and brings deep relationships, strategic insights, and a strong understanding of the industry’s complexity. Just as importantly, he shares our ambition and energy for what lies ahead. I look forward to working closely with him.”
Bailey brings more than 35 years of experience across consulting and investment banking. He has held senior leadership roles at Schroders/Citi, Morgan Stanley and HSBC, and most recently served as chairman of Deutsche Bank’s TMT practice. Over the decades, he has advised some of the world’s largest corporates and financial sponsors on transformative transactions, including several of the most consequential telecom deals in history.
On taking up the role, Bailey said: “I have long admired what Jio has built in India — the scale, the speed, and the genuine impact on people’s lives. The chance to help take that story global is the kind of opportunity you don’t think twice about. I am delighted to be joining Akash and the team and cannot wait to get started.”
The move follows signals from Jio Platforms’ most recent annual general meeting that its next chapter lies beyond India. Over the past decade, Jio has built digital platforms and technologies that have reshaped connectivity and access for over a billion people. Armed with a defined roadmap, strong partnerships and hard-won scale, it is now preparing to export that playbook to global markets.
If India was the proving ground, the world is now the arena.
