Booking.com launches new campaign around cricket world cup in India, ET TravelWorld

The countdown to the highly anticipated 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup has begun, and Booking.com, the Official Accommodation Partner for the event, has unveiled its integrated campaign titled ‘Howzat for your perfect stay.’ This campaign bridges the worlds of travel, cricket, and passionate fans who make it all happen. The campaign was launched at a press event in Mumbai, attended by former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, and Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia at Booking.com.

The convergence of sports and travel has long been apparent. Major sporting events, such as the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, draw travelers to the host destination, resulting in a positive impact on domestic and international travel. According to Booking.com’s recent APAC Travel Confidence Index, 56 per cent of Indians are eagerly anticipating attending live or major events, including sports tournaments, this year.

Booking.com’s search data also reveals a surge in inbound travel, with fans from around the world heading to India for the tournament, which runs from October 5 to November 19, 2023. Travelers from the UK, USA, UAE, Germany, and Australia top the list of inbound searches.

Former Indian fast bowler, Zaheer Khan, commented, “Taking wickets and performing on the cricket field has been a significant part of my life, and travel is an integral part of that experience. Exploring different cities, cultural nuances, culinary options, and local attractions was all part of my cricket journey beyond the pitch. Hence, I am glad to be a part of this event hosted by Booking.com, which seamlessly integrates cricket and travel, uniting people globally and celebrating the spirit of adventure and the moments that matter.”

The opportunity to witness top cricket nations compete on the field is a true bucket list experience for many. This is a compelling reason for millions of Booking.com customers to travel. Major matches across India are igniting travel interest and triggering a travel boom. Beyond the tournament itself, travellers are keen to explore the host cities, potentially leading to extended stays and return visits.

Seven out of the top 10 most searched destinations in India are cities hosting matches during the October 5 to November 19, 2023, period. These include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. On specific match days, such as the India vs. Pakistan match on October 14, Ahmedabad becomes the second-highest searched destination, followed by Delhi.

Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, an avid cricket fan, expressed his enthusiasm, saying, “Travel and cricket are two things I am truly passionate about. My profession gives me the opportunity to travel and explore different destinations in India and across the world, and cricket is something I integrate into my profession. Whenever I get a chance to play in between my shots, I’m always up for a game. With the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, Booking.com is offering millions of fans like me the joy and excitement of traveling and booking that perfect stay to watch their favorite team play live. Now that’s a perfect match!”

Former India captain and Brand Ambassador of Tripura Tourism Sourav Ganguly on Thursday welcomed people from all around the world to visit the ‘beautiful’ Tripura state. The former India captain said he has played a lot of cricket in Tripura and wants everyone to see the temples, natural resources, and many other aspects of this state.

Booking.com’s campaign for the 2023 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, ‘Howzat for your perfect stay,’ features Indian team captain Rohit Sharma, along with renowned international cricketers Jos Buttler, captain of the England team, and Glenn Maxwell. The campaign showcases the ease and remarkable accommodation choices offered by Booking.com.

With more than 28 million listings in over 171,000 destinations worldwide, including locations where ICC matches are taking place, Booking.com offers an extensive selection of incredible places to stay, including hotels, resorts, apartments, villas, and more.

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager, India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia, Booking.com, shared, “The impact of major sporting events on travel desire and demand is a phenomenon we are observing globally and in India as well. As the Official Accommodation Partner for the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023, we help fans make their cricket-inspired travel as seamless as possible by offering them flights, rental cars, taxis, attractions, and of course, all kinds of unique places to stay. We are delighted to celebrate one of the world’s biggest sports with the launch of our campaign ‘Howzat for your perfect stay,’ which beautifully showcases the fun and excitement of booking on Booking.com.”

The integrated campaign will air in India throughout the tournament from October 5 to November 19, 2023, across digital, PR, social, and TV.