Hyderabad Most-Booked City in 2024; Spiritual Spots Shine
KEY HIGHLIGHTS
- Hyderabad tops the list as India’s most-booked city in 2024, followed by Bengaluru and Delhi.
- Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar remain top spiritual destinations, with emerging spots like Govardhan gaining popularity.
- Smaller towns like Patna and Hubli see up to 48% growth in bookings, showing changing travel trends.
Hyderabad: In a year marked by changing travel trends, Hyderabad has emerged as India’s most-booked city of 2024, according to OYO’s annual Travelopedia report. Released on December 24, 2024, the report showcases the growing popularity of spiritual and leisure tourism in the country and a significant rise in visits to smaller towns.
Hyderabad Leads the Way
Known for its rich history and a promising future as a tech hub, Hyderabad secured the top spot as the most-booked city of the year. Following closely were Bengaluru, the “Silicon Valley of India,” and the national capital, Delhi. Kolkata took the fourth position, reflecting its charm as a cultural hub.
Spiritual Spots Shine Bright
India’s deep-rooted spiritual connections continued to draw pilgrims to iconic destinations like Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar. The report also highlighted the growing appeal of lesser-known spiritual spots such as Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh, Deoghar in Jharkhand, and Palani in Tamil Nadu.
Uttar Pradesh and Small Towns on the Rise
The most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, topped the list of most-travelled states, driven by its mix of spiritual and historical destinations. Other states, including Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka, also recorded high booking volumes.
Smaller towns, including Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli, witnessed a remarkable growth in bookings, with some reporting year-on-year increases of up to 48 percent.
Leisure Travel Trends
Leisure travel thrived as Jaipur continued to hold its charm as a favourite destination. Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore also remained popular among travellers. Interestingly, Mumbai saw a decline in bookings, with visitors favouring nearby leisure spots instead.
Evolving Travel Preferences
OYO’s data paints a vivid picture of India’s evolving travel landscape. The mix of spiritual hubs, emerging destinations, and smaller towns gaining prominence highlights changing preferences among Indian travellers.
The report concluded that both spiritual and leisure tourism are major drivers of the travel sector, with a growing interest in exploring lesser-known yet culturally rich destinations across the country.
