The festive season travel period between September – November 2022 has become one of the most eagerly awaited in recent years. After an easing of COVID travel restrictions, tourism activity is picking up again, as travellers’ desire for new destinations and new experiences increases once again.
This is suggested by search data from KAYAK.co.in, the world’s leading travel search engine, which has analysed flight searches for the 2022 festive season travel period. The data shows fight searches from airports in India have increased by about 118% compared to pre-pandemic levels. International flight searches have increased by about 143% and domestic flight searches have increased by about 91% .
Indian travelers do not appear to be deterred by higher flight prices either, which compared to 2019 have increased by about 38% for international flights and by about 39% for domestic flights.
“The stars are aligned for Indians to take that much-awaited trip as restrictions worldwide are eased or removed entirely, just in time for the country’s festive period to set in. It appears that Indian travellers are making up for lost time and are more willing to travel than before the pandemic. In addition to flight interest surpassing pre-pandemic levels, we have also seen searches for hotels surpass that of 2019,” said Tarun Tahiliani, India Country Manager, KAYAK.
● Hotel searches up: Hotel searches by Indian travellers have increased by about 34% compared to 2019, with domestic hotel searches increased about 98%.
● Hotel prices up slightly: International prices for one night in a double room in 3-4 star hotel international hotel rooms have increased by about 22% compared to 2019 for Indian KAYAK users, and for domestic hotel rooms by about 25%.
● Shorter international trips: Although searches indicate Indian travellers will be travelling more this festive season, the duration of their vacations looks to be shorter than in 2019 for international travel at 24 days (decreasing about 13% on 2019), based on flight search data.
● Longer domestic trips: The average trip duration, according to flight search data, is about 6 days in 2022 (increasing by a day compared to 2019).
