Indian tourists are recalibrating their travel preferences in response to shifting global trends, according to data released by ixigo. The numbers show a rising inclination towards Asian hotspots and domestic tourism instead of traditional international journeys.
In a press release, the company said it “is witnessing a shift in travel preferences, with travellers increasingly opting for alternate international destinations and domestic getaways in recent weeks. This trend is being driven by evolving global dynamics, including flight disruptions and airspace constraints in the Middle East, prompting holidaymakers to favour more familiar and easy-to-reach locations.”
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Among international routes, countries across Asia have witnessed a sharp uptick in demand in March. Vietnam has emerged as the most sought-after destination, registering a 130% year-on-year (YoY) rise in bookings. It is followed by Nepal (88%) and Sri Lanka (68%). Other destinations such as Indonesia (33%), Singapore (32%) and Thailand (22%) have also recorded steady growth.
“While the Middle East has traditionally been among the top international choices for Indian travellers, recent weeks have seen preferences shift towards accessible and relatively stable alternatives,” ixigo said.
Domestically, leisure travel is booming too. Udaipur leads with 69% YoY growth in flight bookings, trailed by Jodhpur (47%), Bagdogra (44%), Srinagar (41%), and Agartala (38%). Goa (22%), Jammu (18%), and Dehradun (17%) also show solid gains, highlighting a preference for quick, hassle-free getaways.
Commenting on the trend, Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO of ixigo, said, “Travel patterns are seeing a noticeable shift, with Indian travellers increasingly exploring a wider mix of international destinations this month."
"While the Middle East has traditionally been among the top international destinations for Indian travellers this time of the year, recent weeks have seen preferences shift towards a broader set of markets amid evolving global dynamics. We're seeing a tilt towards closer Southeast Asian markets, with flight bookings rising significantly," Bajpai said.
Following the outbreak of the conflict between Iran and US-Israel, ixigo had said it is closely tracking the rapidly changing situation and issuing frequent advisories, alongside real-time updates on airline and airport operations, to keep travellers informed.
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The company added that it has rolled out proactive Voice AI calls to passengers whose journeys may be impacted, providing timely alerts and support for rebooking or alternative arrangements.
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