2020 has been a surprising year – masks and gloves are a common sight, WFH a lifestyle, and virtual gatherings are routine. However, as India gradually unlocks, more and more people are ready to step out and explore hidden gems in the country and thereby, turning to domestic travel as the new normal – while ensuring personal safety and hygiene.
According to OYO Hotels & Homes, after staying homebound for months on end, this Diwali, Indians are preferring inter-state road trips and beach destinations.
According to the platforms Diwali booking trends, Jaipur, Kerala, Goa, Visakhapatnam, and Varanasi top the charts as the most popular leisure destinations among travelers. The data further highlights Jaipur to be the most popular choice among travelers across North India, with an influx of tourists from nearby cities like Delhi NCR and Lucknow.
Across South India, travelers from Chennai and Bangalore are heading out on road trips to Kochi in Kerala, the southwest coast of India. Goa, India's beach capital, on the other hand, is attracting travelers from across the country. The majority of bookings are from Pune, followed by Bangalore and Hyderabad.
As per the overall travel trends across India, between April 2020 and September 2020, observe an uptick in bookings across business destinations including Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Kolkata. On the other hand, among leisure cities, OYO's booking data also highlights that some cities like Shimla, Manali, Munnar, Ooty, and Gangtok that didn't enjoy high demand compared to other tourist hotspots during pre-COVID days are now increasingly showing positive signs of rising bookings since September 2020.
Goa, India's beach capital, is attracting travelers from across the country. Pixabay
In Shimla, it observed a whopping 280 percent month-on-month growth in bookings for September 2020. Additionally, according to its recent consumer survey, while there's a surge in demand for leisure travel across the country, 80 percent of users are searching for sanitized stays, while 46 percent of users seek regulation related information while planning their next travel.
Commenting on this trend, Harshit Vyas, SVP & COO – Franchise Business, OYO India & South Asia, said: "The festive season combined with gradual unlocks has resulted in a surge in leisure travel since September 2020. As states open up their borders to welcome tourists, OYO, and the entire hospitality industry, continue to offer safe experiences that lead to rising consumer confidence among travelers.