There’s something especially appealing about flying to a new destination in the summer (Tuscan) sunshine, whether it’s strolling with gelato on European cobblestone sidewalks or going on a burnout retreat somewhere beautiful. As we enter the peak of summer, most travelers are either already heading to higher ground to escape the extreme temperatures or others are enjoying the exhilaration of planning a trip when temperatures start to drop in the evening. Are. For the latter, we’re gathering some interesting insights from the online travel booking giants, predicting some of the hottest trends that will dominate this summer.
Accommodation: Premium homestays are on the rise
While homestays saw a big jump in 2023, according to MakeMyTrip’s Summer Travel Trends 2024 report, the average rate stood at Rs. 2,500 to Rs. Rs 7,000 per night accounts for about 45% of the total homestay bookings. While this category remains a budget one, and not to forget the more culturally immersed, options for Indian travellers, homestays, villas as well as properties with tariffs are registering the highest growth. 20,000 per night
This nominal premiumization trend has been further highlighted as the rupee continues to appreciate the most. 10,000 to Rs. ₹15,000 per night tariff category.
International tourism: South Asian destinations rival few newcomers
With countries like Thailand and Sri Lanka extending visa-free entry and this is predicted to increase further, cities in Southeast Asia are attracting the highest number of Indian tourists. Phuket, Singapore, Bali, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur dominated MakeMyTrip’s ‘Top 10’ (International) search and booking trends category, demonstrating their supremacy. Among the newcomers, Baku (Azerbaijan), Almaty (Kazakhstan), and Nagoya (Japan) are experiencing substantial increases in search queries – potentially stealing some footfall from popular cities.
Wellness: Trantra retreats, Vedic psychology and water-focused vacations are gaining momentum
When planning wellness-focused vacations during the warmer months, Booking.com revealed that more than a third of travelers (36%) are looking for water-focused vacations. Turning to sanctuaries rather than river banks for solace, 20% of travelers are curious about health retreats, 48% are exploring tantra retreats, while 14% are interested in psychedelic retreats.
Domestic destinations: Goa continues to impress domestic and international tourists, followed by Srinagar and Udaipur
Goa’s reputation as a leader among domestic destinations over the past years is set to continue, MakeMyTrip unveiled, with Srinagar and It is located in Udaipur. An essential summer travel check box for Indian travelers, its international appeal for sunset travelers became evident from Pinterest’s Summer Travel Report 2024, which revealed a 270% increase in searches for “Goa nightlife”.
Gen Z Spotlight: Paying Your First Paycheck for International Travel and Budget Road-Tripping with Friends
While cost has long been a determining factor for young travelers, many of today’s Gen Z population are setting aside their first paycheck to travel abroad. Skyscanner surprisingly revealed that 81% planned their first overseas adventure after getting their first job or receiving their first paycheck. Another cool trend spotted by Pinterest is Gen-Zers’ inclination to “build deeper connections with friends through intimate, budget-friendly road trips”, “what to bring on a road trip” (+66%), “places Searches like “places to visit with friends” (+50%), “nature with friends” (+50%) and many more are on the rise.
Europe on their minds: EU lures Indian travelers with the possibility of getting a 2 to 5 year visa
With the newest ability to obtain a multi-entry shenanigan visa, EU destinations are dominating summer travel itineraries. Indian Gen Z travelers are attracted to Europe’s vibrant cultures and historical sites, with more than 40% listing it as their top destination, according to AliExpress. “Europe is a highly aspirational destination and at Thomas Cook, we see a strong 30% growth in demand in the summer of 2024. Indians are ultimate value seekers and with just one Schengen visa, the allure of a multi-country trip is hard to deny!,” said Rajeev Kale – President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. .