This summer, where and how are people travelling?

Travelling to a new place in the summer (Tuscan) sun is really alluring, whether it’s for a picturesque burnout getaway or a leisurely stroll down European cobblestone walkways while sipping gelato. As we enter the height of summer, the majority of tourists are either already fleeing the oppressive heat for a more comfortable destination or are enjoying the wonderful excitement of booking their next trip when the weather starts to cool down. Regarding the latter, we have compiled some fascinating information from massive online travel agencies, forecasting some of the hottest trends that will be prevalent this summer.

Lodging: High-end homestays are becoming more popular

Homestays saw a significant increase in 2023, although an average price of between Rs. 2,500 and Rs. 7,000 per night still accounts for around 45% of all bookings, as to MakeMyTrip’s Summer Travel Trends 2024 study. While inexpensive accommodations are still popular in this category, homestays and villas that offer guests a more immersive cultural experience are growing at the fastest rate for Indian tourists, with rates starting at ₹20,000 per night.

Since the biggest rise is being reported in the tariff category for nights tariffed between Rs. 10,000 and Rs. 15,000, this suggestive premiumization tendency is further reinforced.

Travel abroad: South Asian locations outperform some newcomers

Cities in Southeast Asia are drawing the greatest number of Indian visitors, with nations like Thailand and Sri Lanka offering visa-free entrance and more likely to follow. In a tribute to their dominance, Phuket, Singapore, Bali, Bangkok, and Kuala Lumpur topped MakeMyTrip’s “Top 10” (international) search and booking trend category. Search inquiries for newcomers are significantly increasing in Baku (Azerbaijan), Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Nagoya (Japan), which may be able to take some of the traffic away from more established towns.

Wellness: The popularity of Trantra retreats, Vedic psychology, and water-themed travel is growing

Significantly, 83% of travellers concur that being near water immediately promotes relaxation, and 38% of Indian travellers indicate a strong desire for water-themed travel experiences. One may readily foresee a spike in activities such as floating yoga, water sound baths, and snow meditation as travellers enjoy these water-centric experiences.

Domestic destination: Srinagar and Udaipur trail behind Goa, which continues to wow both local and foreign tourists.

With the launch of MakeMyTrip, Goa’s standing as the top domestic travel destination in previous years is expected to hold steady. In terms of the biggest rise in searches between March and April 2023 and March and April 2024, Srinagar and Udaipur came in second and third, respectively. Goa meets all the requirements for a perfect summer vacation for Indian tourists, but its popularity with sundowners abroad was made clear by Pinterest’s summer travel report 2024, which showed a 270% increase in searches for “Goa nightlife.”

Highlighting Generation Z: Saving up their first salary for a vacation abroad and low-cost road trips with pals

Many members of the Gen Z generation are saving their first income for a trip overseas, even though cost has historically been a deciding issue for young travellers. According to Skyscanner, 81% of people decide to book their first international trip after accepting their first job offer or starting their first salary. Gen-Zers’ propensity “to forge deeper connections with friends through intimate, budget-friendly road trips” is another positive trend that Pinterest has identified. Searches for topics like “What do bring on a road trip” (+66%), “Places to go with friends list” (+50%), “Nature with friends” (+50%), and more are increasing.

Keeping Europe in mind: The EU entices Indian tourists by offering the chance to secure a two- to five-year visa.

EU countries are dominating summer plans, especially with the new possibility to secure a multi-entry Schenegan visa. Over 40% of Indian Gen Z tourists rank Europe’s dynamic cultures and ancient sites as their favourite vacation destination, according to Skyscanner. “Europe is a very desirable travel destination, and at Thomas Cook, we’ve seen a robust 30% increase in demand for summer 2024 travel.” The appeal of a multi-country journey is difficult to resist for Indians, who are traditional value seekers with just one Schengen visa, according to Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Limited.

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