Travel is more than just the destination; it is defining how Indians are living their life. Indians are increasingly seeking diverse travel experiences, whether it is immersing themselves in a destination’s vibrant culture, indulging in its culinary delights or exploring its unique offerings. As Indians turn their travel dreams into reality, Booking.com, one of the leading digital travel companies, delves into the key motivators and inspirations shaping Indians’ travel choices in 2024, including Indian travellers’ growing desire for seamless travel planning.

The Power of Screens: From Reel to Real

India’s passion for movies, celebrities and TV shows are igniting Indians to explore on-screen destinations, experiences or delicacies in real-life. Booking.com’s Travel Trends Data for 2024 reveals, 44% of Indians turn to TV shows or movies for travel inspirations or activity ideas. Whether it’s retracing the steps of their favourite movie character, relishing a dish featured in a series or visiting a famous restaurant, Indians are keen on experiencing these reel-life moments first hand.

• 61% of Indians are motivated to try the food or cuisine they saw in a TV show or movie.
• Nearly three-fifths (59%) find inspiration from movies or shows when choosing a destination to explore next.
• 58% of Indians are drawn to iconic landmarks made famous on screen.
• 57% wish to immerse themselves in the culture portrayed on screen. Interestingly, an equal number of Indian travellers are excited to visit a restaurant featured in a TV show or movie.
• 49% are willing to travel to participate in an activity depicted on a show or movie
• 46% seek accommodations that allow them to relive the experience of their favourite character.

From Scroll to Stroll: Social Media’s Powerful Influence in Shaping Indians Travel Choices

Social media plays an important role in shaping Indian travel choices. Two-thirds (66%) of Indians use social media to gather travel ideas or inspirations. As they scroll through their feeds, Indian travellers are increasingly relying on social media to help them decide their next adventure!

• 58% of travellers are drawn to specific landmarks made famous by films or TV series.
• 76% of Indian travellers draw inspiration from friends’ and family’s social media feeds.
• 63% are influenced to travel by advertisements across social media platforms.
• Celebrities and influencers also play a role, with 55% of travellers influenced by famous personalities and 46% by niche content creators and influencers.
• Half (50%) of Indians are inspired by the companies or brands they follow on social media.
Beyond social media, Indian travellers have several other sources to gather travel ideas and inspiration. 57% of Indians take advice from their family or friends to plan their next getaway, 52% rely on search engine results, 52% turn to travel booking websites and 49% utilize travel guide websites/ books or apps.

From inspiration to reality: Simplifying the Journey

While celebrities spark wanderlust (66%), Indians often find trip planning stressful (42%). This highlights a key sentiment: a desire for seamless travel journey and a preference for booking multiple trip elements together. In addition to booking where they will stay, Indian travellers are keen on booking other aspects of their travel simultaneously for a stress and hassle-free journey.

• 62% of travellers prefer to book their flights alongside their stays.
• 47% desire pre-booked attractions like museum tickets and city tours
• 50% are interested in making restaurant reservations to enjoy a feast.
• 52% show interest packaged deals combining flights, accommodations, local activities
• 48% are keen to book car rentals, 50% reserve train tickets and 48% arrange taxis ahead of time.

“The Indian travellers mindset towards travel has changed, going beyond the destination. They seek experiences that are inspired by what they see, follow and admire. At Booking.com, we bridge the gap between inspiration and reality by empowering travellers to seamlessly plan their dream vacation by allowing them to book various trip elements – flights, accommodations, attractions, and more – all on one platform. But our commitment goes beyond booking. We also strive to be their travel partner throughout the journey, solving any challenges that may arise before, during or after the trip. Our ultimate goal? To ensure every trip is a perfect trip.” said Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com said.