Preferred destinations include Goa, Manali, Ooty, Nainital, and Mumbai; with Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, and Phuket emerging as outbound locations of choice
Digital travel platform, Agoda, has revealed a 5x hike in monsoon travel searches contrasted to 2019 statistics. The brand also shared the top destinations on Indian travellers’ radar this monsoon, with Goa, Manali, Ooty, Nainital, and Mumbai topping the charts. For international locales, Indians are gravitating toward Southeast Asia and the Middle East, with Bali, Singapore, Bangkok, Dubai, and Phuket emerging as top favourites.
The leading destinations all have something unique in store for every kind of traveller during the monsoon season. While Goa and Ooty offer serene greenery and breath-taking vistas, Manali and Nainital present the dual charm of rain, against the backdrop of mountains. Mumbai, a new entrant to the list, boasts of proximity to multiple scenic getaways and has made it to the top 5. On the other hand, the international destinations enjoy steady popularity from Indian tourists throughout the year – helped by relatively easy visa processes and direct flight connections from major Indian cities.
The domestic choices of Goa, Ooty, Manali, and Nainital, along with the outbound selection of Singapore, Bali, Bangkok, and Phuket – have consistently attracted Indians between the months of June – August. While these months are not usual holiday periods in the country, Indians are increasingly choosing to travel during this window, to experience monsoon through different lenses. As for the international locations, June – August are generally considered the peak season to visit Southeast Asia, especially the likes of Bali and Singapore.
“Indian tourism has experienced significant rebound and growth this year, both domestically and internationally,” said Krishna Rathi, Country Director for India, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives at Agoda. “Agoda’s data reaffirms the rising proclivity of Indians to travel more, year on year. This also demonstrates how travel for Indians is no longer restricted to summer, festive, or year-end holidays. It’s exciting to see this increase in travel appetite, and at Agoda, we are striving to meet all travel needs with the best deals and prices out there.’’
Monsoon travel allows for the opportunity to witness nature’s splendour in all its glory. Travellers may choose to travel within the country to immerse themselves in these enchanting views or travel further away for new experiences. Agoda aims to be the platform of choice for Indian travellers, both for inbound and outbound destinations.
