HBI Staff | Hyderabad 
As temperatures rise across India, travelers are heading out for summer escapes, causing a notable 40% increase in summer travel compared to 2023, according to PTI. Hospitality and travel service providers report a significant demand spike.
While the ongoing general elections had a minor impact on corporate and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) business, retail bookings, especially at beach destinations, are soaring as vacationers’ preferences shift. KB Kachru, President of the Hotel Association of India and Chairman-South Asia of Radisson Hotel Group, noted a 30 to 40% increase in summer travel, particularly to hill stations and nearby tourist spots from urban centers.
Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, reported robust growth in travel searches, with a 20% rise in family travel and a 10% increase in solo travel compared to 2023. Popular destinations include Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, and the Northeast, favored for their cooler climates.
Chander K Baljee, Chairman and Managing Director of Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd, highlighted a 20% surge in retail bookings over the previous year, with hill hotels and leisure destinations seeing significant occupancy increases. OYO reported that 53% of leisure bookings favored beach destinations for May and June 2024, while 47% preferred mountain retreats, indicating strong interest in both coastal and mountainous getaways.
Goa remains a top beach destination, but mountain locations like Nainital, Rishikesh, Manali, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling are gaining popularity for June trips, reflecting a shift towards serene environments.
Interestingly, Kachru mentioned that air travel has surged partly due to the Election Commission’s campaign encouraging citizens to travel home to vote.
(With inputs from PTI)
