Travel Industry Embraces Offbeat Adventures and Affordable Travel

The tourism sector is experiencing a significant shift towards off-the-beaten-path adventures, largely due to improved infrastructure and relaxed visa regulations, which have made travel more accessible and exciting for a global audience. Industry experts highlight that affordable travel options and innovations in payment methods have played a crucial role in this transition.

Southeast Asia: A Top Choice for Travelers

In 2024, Southeast Asian destinations emerged as the preferred choice for many travelers. This trend can be attributed to visa-free policies and enhanced accessibility. According to Cleartrip, affordable travel options have seen double the adoption rates among Gen Z and senior citizens, indicating increased travel inclusivity. Additionally, flexible travel payment methods have gained traction, particularly among younger travelers.

“With relaxed visa and travel policies, Southeast Asian destinations have become top choices for travelers. This year witnessed a significant rise in both affordable travel options and flexible travel payments,” stated Anuj Rathi, Chief Business and Growth Officer at Cleartrip.

International Destinations on the Rise

Destinations such as Denpasar (Bali) experienced a 73% increase in bookings, attributed to new direct flights from Bengaluru, enhancing accessibility for Indian tourists. Other noteworthy international destinations experiencing growth include Tbilisi (27%), Tashkent (100%), Almaty (73%), Da Nang (60%), and Baku (133%).

Domestic Travel Trends

Within India, beach and island destinations gained popularity, with Agatti Island in Lakshadweep witnessing a 94% increase in bookings and Diu recording a remarkable 130% growth, fueled by new direct flights like those connecting Bengaluru to Agatti and Goa to Diu.

Local and Global Exploration in 2024

A report by Booking.com noted an intriguing mix of local and global exploration among Indian travelers in 2024. Goa emerged as a top searched destination, experiencing a 200% increase in flight searches year over year. Indian tourists also showed an interest in cultural and spiritual travel, with Amritsar seeing a 106% rise in search activity.

Globally, popular destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, London, and Bangkok maintained their appeal, reflected by a year-over-year search increase of 90-150%.

Offbeat Destinations Gaining Traction

Ease of travel has prompted exploration of less-known destinations, with places like Shahdag in Azerbaijan becoming highly searched international spots based on accommodation inquiries. Adventures are more varied, with unique locales such as Stepantsminda, Baku, and Tromso gaining in popularity, showcasing Indian travelers’ appetite for new experiences.

Sustainable and Authentic Travel Experiences

Within India, travelers sought genuine experiences, making places like Perumbakkam, Pangala, and Tekkumuri increasingly popular. Booking.com’s data highlights that quintessential Indian experiences like a private car tour of the Taj Mahal or the Old Delhi food and heritage walk were among the top searched attractions in 2024.

An interest in sustainable travel is evident with e-biking on Divar Island in Old Goa ranking as a top searched activity. This reflects the growing trend towards environmentally friendly travel experiences.