- International travel saw a strong recovery in 2022, a trend that should continue to rise in 2023
- Benefiting local communities by traveling to off-the-beaten-path destinations, will further help in tourism recovery
- Domestically, Indians are exploring off-beat destinations in states like Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Telangana
- Solo Travel was the most popular type of International travel by Indians followed by couple and family travel
INDIA: Ahead of National Tourism Day, Airbnb presents a round-up of key trends that have emerged in India and how travelers are embracing new forms of travel. New data* from Airbnb reveals that international travel saw a strong recovery in 2022, with Indians searching for the most iconic cities around the world with Airbnb. The most searched-for destinations internationally by Indian guests as of Q3 2022 included:
- Dubai
- London
- Paris
- Toronto
- New York
According to Airbnb’s internal data, solo travel was the most popular type of International travel by Indians as of Q3 2022 followed by couple and family travel. The idea of escaping to a foreign land will continue to be on the bucket list for many Indians, this year.
Domestically, the interest in exploring off-the-beaten path destinations has been seeing a spike on Airbnb in 2022. The top 5 off-the-beaten-path trending destinations in India include:
- Madhapur, Telangana
- Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
- Vellore, Tamil Nadu
- Cherrapunji, Meghalaya
- Pimpri-Chinchwad, Maharashtra
In India, hospitality is deeply rooted in the diversity found in local culture, cuisine, lifestyle preferences, and the way we welcome people into our homes. Delhi, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Himachal Pradesh are topping the charts when it comes to hospitality, with the highest share of 5-star reviews from guests on Airbnb.
Airbnb data also revealed that guests chose to enjoy city life as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Kolkata were the most searched-for domestic destinations by Indians in 2022.
In 2022, travelers found themselves sitting poolside or catching rays on a sandy beach. Both of these water-related Categories came in at the top spots amongst Indian travelers, with Tropical, Iconic City, and National Parks also making appearances.
The Top 5 Hosts in India with the highest number of bookings** in 2022 were from Mumbai (Maharashtra), New Delhi (Delhi), Guwahati (Assam), Goa, and (Hyderabad) Telangana.
Our super guest for 2022 hit a century. The most traveled Indian guest made more than 115 bookings last year on the platform.
Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s General Manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, said: “The past year was about the revival and recovery of the travel industry. This year is expected to see travelers taking much-awaited international trips as well as exploring lesser-known destinations in India and around the world. People are preparing their bucket lists for the year, and this growing appetite for travel is a positive sign. Our Hosts are excited to welcome guests from across the world and make their stays memorable. We, at Airbnb, are committed to working with local Hosts across the country, as well as the Government stakeholders across states and at the center, to help ensure local communities can take advantage of this travel revolution.”
*Based on internal Airbnb search data between Q1’22 – Q3’22.
**Based on internal Airbnb bookings data between Q1’22 – Q3’22.
