MakeMyTrip Reports Surge in Pilgrimage Travel Demand

Fast Summary

• Pilgrimage travel is identified as a fast-growing segment in India’s travel and tourism industry, based on MakeMyTrip’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25 report.
• Bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations increased by 19% over the last financial year; 34 destinations experienced double-digit growth,and 15 saw growth exceeding 25%.
• Rajesh Magow, co-founder and CEO of makemytrip, attributed the steady rise in pilgrimage travel to better connectivity and interest from diverse demographics spanning age groups and income brackets.
• booking habits reveal that more than 63% of trips are planned within six days before departure.
• The majority of trips are purpose-driven with short stays: single-night visits made up 53%, while two-night stays contributed to another 31%. Group bookings constituted nearly half (47%) of all trips.
• Accommodations priced below ₹4,500 per night dominated (71%), tho there was a notable trend toward premium options with a rise of approximately 24%.
• Choice accommodations like homestays accounted for about 10% of room night bookings in these destinations.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The rapid growth reported for pilgrimage tourism highlights evolving trends in India’s travel preferences. Traditional pilgrimage sites appear to maintain their importance amidst changing demographics. This uptick may reflect greater disposable incomes among wider population segments combined with improved infrastructure facilitating access to remote locations.

Short-duration visits heavily geared toward specific religious or spiritual purposes suggest efficiency-driven travel behavior-notably among urban travelers balancing tight schedules. Additionally, group bookings signal stronger collective participation in religious experiences, perhaps reinforcing cultural bonding.

Premiumization alongside the emergence of alternative accommodations indicates rising demand for varied choices catering to travelers across income classes without compromising preferences for quality or comfort. These shifts bode well for local economies reliant on tourism revenue at such destinations but underscore the need for sustainable management practices as visitor influx continues to climb.

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