“OYO’s findings show that religious tourism remains a strong focus in India, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar continuing to dominate as spiritual destinations. At the same time, there has been a noticeable shift towards less-explored pilgrimage sites like Deoghar, Palani, and Govardhan, reflecting a growing interest in new spiritual locations,” the report mentioned.
While Hyderabad topped the booking charts, other cities like Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata ranked high. Uttar Pradesh remained the most visited state, maintaining its popularity for travel.
Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka continued to contribute significantly to overall travel volumes, while smaller towns such as Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli saw impressive growth in bookings, with a rise of up to 48% year-on-year.
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“Leisure travel saw a notable surge this year, with Jaipur maintaining its position as a major tourist destination, followed by popular spots like Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysuru. Interestingly, Mumbai experienced a decline in bookings, with travellers opting for nearby destinations for leisure,” the report added.
PTI quoted Shreerang Godbole, Global Chief Service Officer at OYO as saying, “2024 has been a transformative year for global travel. We have witnessed how travelers are embracing flexibility and adaptability, whether for business or leisure. The growing trend of remote work has played a significant role in shaping travel preferences, driving both quick getaways and long stays.”
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The report highlighted that the July 4 weekend saw the highest number of bookings, while the Christmas period experienced a notable uptick in travel.
