Booking.com Unveils How Indian Travellers Plan Their Trips
61% book flights first, 37% book event tickets before their stays and 33% wait to book car rentals, restaurants and taxis until after securing accommodation.
Everyone plans their holidays differently. While some Indian travellers prioritise securing the perfect flight deal first, others crave the comfort of booking their accommodation before planning the rest of their travel itinerary.
Booking.com’s Travel Trends for 2024 unveils interesting insights into the mindset and behaviour of Indian travellers when they plan their trips. While 61% of travellers book flights and 37% book event tickets well in advance, car rentals, restaurant reservations and even taxis are either booked along with the accommodation or left until closer to the trip date.
Planning for Takeoff: Flights Lead the Way: More than half (61%) of Indian travellers book their flights before securing accommodation while planning their holiday.
The All-in-One Approach: Around a quarter of Indian travellers prefer booking multiple aspects of their trip at the same time and are looking to book flights, accommodation, attractions, car rentals, restaurant reservations and even taxis simultaneously on a platform offering seamless travel experience.
Foodies Rejoice: While making decisions about the choice of accommodation, Indian travellers emphasise culinary convenience. 40% of travellers are willing to pay extra for that delicious breakfast spread and 54% crave unique food experiences like food tours and cooking classes.
Last-Minute Decisions on the Ground: Nearly a third (13% to 33%) of Indian travellers wait until after booking their stays and just before their trips, to arrange car rentals, restaurant reservations and taxis. They are looking for flexible and spontaneous experiences during their travels. This likely allows them to discover hidden gems and local delights once they are settled into their destination, adding an element of surprise and discovery to their itinerary.
Train Travel: Planning is Key: More than half (58%) of Indian travellers book train tickets before securing accommodation to ensure a smooth journey and avoid the stress of last-minute scrambling for seats.
Event Enthusiasts Plan Early: Similar to flights, 37% of travellers prioritise booking event tickets before their accommodation. Whether it is a music concert or a sporting event, securing event tickets ensures these experiences become a highlight of the trip.
Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com comments, “Booking.com Travel Trends provides valuable insight into the travel planning behaviour of Indian travellers. By understanding these preferences, the travel industry can tailor their offerings to cater to different planning styles and preferences – and at the right time across the traveller journey. Whether it’s the meticulous planner or adventurous improvisers, Booking.com is committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world.”
Methodology
Travel Trends 2024 research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2024 and are involved in trip planning. The sample comprises 32,300 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January or February 2024. (2,000 from USA, 800 from Canada, 1,800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1,800 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1,800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1,800 from France, 1,800 from UK, 1,800 from Germany, 800 from Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 400 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 800 from Ireland, 800 from Portugal, 1,800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1,800 from Japan, 500 from UAE).