Agoda reveals December travel trends for Indian tourists, US tops the inbound list, ET TravelWorld

<p>Picture used for representation.</p> — Picture used for representation.

In anticipation of the upcoming holiday season, online travel agency, Agoda has delved into its search data to unveil significant insights into the travel preferences of Indian tourists for December 2023. The analysis provides valuable information about evolving trends and the impact of recent visa policy changes on travel decisions.

Here are the key higlights:

Top Markets planning travel to India: Agoda’s search data indicates that the top five markets planning travel to India in December are the USA, Singapore, Japan, UK, and Australia. Inbound travelers are particularly interested in exploring destinations within India, with New Delhi and NCR, Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, and Jaipur topping the list.

Christmas season destinations: For the Christmas season, Agoda has identified the top five international and domestic destinations preferred by Indian travellers. Internationally, Bangkok, London, Singapore, Toronto, and Dubai are the most sought-after destinations. Domestically, Goa, Pondicherry, Ooty, Munnar, and New Delhi and NCR are capturing the attention of those seeking a festive retreat.

Impact of visa policy changes: Agoda’s search data also sheds light on the recent visa policy changes, particularly the lift in visa requirements for Indians traveling to Thailand and Sri Lanka. Following this announcement, Agoda observed a significant 28 per cent increase in searches for Thailand compared to the preceding ten days. This surge indicates heightened enthusiasm and interest among Indian travelers for this now easily accessible destination.

Implications & expectations: These insights are instrumental in understanding the evolving preferences of Indian travellers. Moreover, they underscore the influence of visa policy changes on travel decisions. As December approaches, these trends are expected to shape the holiday travel landscape, with travellers setting their sights on both domestic and international destinations for memorable experiences. The USA, with its top position in the list of markets planning trips to India, signals a robust start to the festive travel season.

France to focus more on experience tourism, slow travel to newer regions

With growing interest of Indian travellers in mountains, shopping and gastronomy, France is looking to attract slow travellers, who are keen to explore newer regions. “India is within the top 15 source markets for France. According to Oxford Economics, an estimated 4,96,000 Indian visitors are expected to visit France in 2023,” said Sheetal Munshaw, Director, Atout France India. The French tourism agency in India recently organised the 5th edition of its offsite B2B showcase, Explore France, in Kochi.