Where India likes to Travel? Wowtickets.com data reveals top 15 destinations, insights into regional trends, ET TravelWorld

As travel becomes an integral part of Indian lifestyles, Wowtickets.com, a UK-based flight booking platform recently launched in India, unveils insights into Indians’ favorite domestic destinations. Analysing data from 36 million travellers nationwide, Wowtickets.com sheds light on the top 15 travel destinations preferred by Indians, reflecting the nation’s diverse interests and rich cultural heritage.

Wowtickets.com conducted a search survey nationally to gather insights about the cities and routes that Indians love travelling in India and the results show that Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Srinagar are the top 5 destinations.

India’s passion for travel is evident, with bustling airports like Delhi and Mumbai ranking among the world’s busiest. With a thriving travel and tourism sector, India’s GDP growth has paved the way for enhanced infrastructure and transportation, catering to the evolving preferences of travellers seeking unique experiences.

Top destinations nationwide
Among the top 15 destinations, Goa emerges as the most sought-after destination, drawing travellers with its beaches and vibrant culture. Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Srinagar follow closely, catering to both leisure and professional travelers.

Regional preferences
Regional variations in travel preferences are apparent, with Mumbaikars favoring destinations like Goa and Delhi, while Delhiites show a penchant for Goa, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. Similarly, travellers from Bengaluru and Hyderabad exhibit preferences for key metropolitan cities and scenic locales.

Unique search patterns
Interestingly, travellers also explored unconventional routes, indicating a growing appetite for offbeat travel experiences. Searches from Lucknow to Gangtok, Mumbai to Leh, and Srinagar to Mumbai highlight the diverse interests of Indian travellers.

Dmitrijus Konovalovas, Director & CEO, Wowtickets.com, emphasises India’s burgeoning tourism sector, poised to become a key player in the global market. “The travel industry in India is experiencing rapid growth, poised to become a significant player in the global tourism market. Predictions indicate that by 2023, the global tourism market will reach a value of USD 16.9 trillion, with India’s tourism sector making substantial contributions. This is largely driven by the enthusiastic travel aspirations of India’s youth, who prioritize exploration and adventure. As Indians increasingly explore destinations within their own country, domestic tourism receives a significant boost, further fueling the nation’s tourism growth,” he said.

According to a report from Crisil, the travel and tourism sector in India is projected to experience a growth rate of 12–14 per cent in the coming years. India’s GDP growth has helped the travel and tourism sector thrive due to advancements in infrastructure and transportation, catering to the evolving preferences of younger travellers who seek memorable and unique experiences. In 2023, experts anticipate that the travel and tourism industry will generate approximately USD 9.5 trillion in revenue. Furthermore, projections suggest that by 2030, the global tourism market will soar to USD 16.9 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 5.4 per cent from 2022 to 2030. During this period, the Asia-Pacific region is poised to experience the most substantial growth compared to other regions.

The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Mumbaikars want to travel nationally.
Goa, Delhi, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Chennai, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Jaipur, Lucknow, Varanasi, Kochi, Ahmedabad, Dehra Dun, Patna, and Hyderabad.
Total searches were 31.86 lakh.

• The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Delhiites want to travel to nationally
  Goa, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Srinagar, Pune, Patna, Kolkata, Leh, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Kochi, Bhubaneswar
  Total searches were 35.09 lakh.
• The top 15 destinations Bengaluru wants to travel nationally
  Delhi, Mumbai, Goa, Kolkata, Pune, Lucknow, Patna, Ahmedabad, Ranchi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Bhubaneswar, Bagdogra, Guwahati
  Total searches were 24.86 lakh.
• The top 15 most searched Indian destinations that Hyderabadis want to travel to nationally
  Delhi, Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jaipur, Kochi, Vishakhapatnam, Chennai, Tirupati, Varanasi, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Chandigarh.
  Total searches were 10.98 lakh.
• The top 15 destinations Chennai travelers searched nationally.
  Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Port,Blair, Goa, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Pune, Kochi, Guwahati, Madurai, Patna, Srinagar
  Total searches were 90.5 lakh.
• The top 15 destinations Kolkata travelers searched nationally.
  Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune, Guwahati, Bagdogra, Port Blair, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, Srinagar, Ahmedabad, Agartala, Jaipur, Bhubaneswar
  Total searches were 10.97 lakh.

Indians also searched for some strange locations where there were no direct flights or fewer flights available:
Lucknow to Gangtok, Lucknow to Puducherry, Mumbai to Leh, Pune to Goa, Srinagar to Mumbai and Delhi to Shirdi, Deoghar to Kochi, Lucknow to Imphal, Agra to Jaipur, Gaya to Chennai and Nasik to Varanasi
Total searches were 10.97 lakh.