Agoda, has revealed a 410* per cent hike in monsoon [June – August] travel searches, in contrast to 2019’s 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 five. 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 usually 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.”
*All figures are based on searches on Agoda for travel by two or more people staying at least two nights. The data reflects searches made in May 2023, for travel in June – August 2023, compared to searches made in May 2019 for travel in June – August 2019.