Travel interest among Indians increases as the festive period of Diwali sets in, according to research from travel search engine Kayak. And banking on this, the company has partnered with actor Mrunal Thakur to promote ease of booking travel.
A consumer research of 1,200 Indians by Kayak found that many are poised to travel this festive season which commences from Navratris and Dussehra, and lasts through Diwali and Bhai Dooj. Around 98 pc of Indians surveyed intend to travel within the country during the festive period, with three out of five intending to travel internationally.
These insights align with Kayak search data for travel between October and November, with domestic flight searches increasing 29 pc compared with last year, and searches for international flights increasing 14 pc, informed an official statement.
For those travelling within India, half of those surveyed plan to take two or more trips domestically, with the top trending domestic destinations including Madurai, Bhubaneswar and Ahmedabad. The top international destinations include Colombo, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Seychelles and Tokyo, Japan.
When it comes to budgets, 72 pc Indians are willing to spend similarly or more than last year.
Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager, Kayak, said, “This festive season is shaping up to be quite exciting for Indian travellers, with a large majority of those surveyed ready to take that much-awaited trip, or going by the data, taking multiple trips! By providing comprehensive flights, hotel and car hire options, we, at Kayak, are on a mission to help Indian travellers find the perfect holiday at a great price.”
What are Indians looking forward to the most on their Diwali holiday? Unsurprisingly, 72 pc said food and culinary experiences. Apart from food, basking in their destination’s culture is also important to Indian travellers.
Tahiliani said, “Travel isn’t a one-size-fits-all experience, Kayak’s personalised recommendations identify the best time to be there at a great price. Integrated with ChatGPT insights, our Best Time To Travel, on top of data analysis, uncovers key events at your chosen destination.”
“Festive and Diwali traditions are so important to Indians. For me and my family, the festive season has always been synonymous with an epic holiday that represents those positive festive feelings, but with the excitement amped up even more. Kayak is the ultimate travel buddy who helps me find great deals on flights, hotels and even car rentals. Now that Diwali is approaching, I’m excited about planning my next trip with Kayak,” said Thakur, who will feature in the brand’s festive campaign.
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