SOUTH INDIAN CITY Hyderabad topped the list of most-booked cities in India for 2024, according to a recent study by OYO. Religious tourism remains strong, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar as key spiritual destinations, drawing large numbers of pilgrims.
OYO's annual "Travelopedia 2024" report analyzes travel trends using its booking data.
"2024 has marked a year of transformation in global travel,” said Shreerang Godbole, OYO’s global chief service officer. “Travellers are embracing flexibility, whether for business or leisure. Remote work trends are driving demand for both quick getaways and long stays."
Hyderabad led bookings, with growth in both leisure and business travel, followed by Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, the study found. Uttar Pradesh remains India’s top travel state, with Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka also showing strong booking volumes. Smaller towns like Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli saw up to 48 percent year-on-year booking growth, indicating rising interest in non-metro destinations.
In addition to Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar, emerging destinations such as Deoghar, Palani, and Govardhan are seeing growth in spiritual tourism, reflecting rising interest in lesser-known spiritual sites, OYO said. Travelers are increasingly exploring beyond traditional hubs.
Leisure travel gained momentum, with Jaipur maintaining steady visitor interest. Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore remain popular for relaxation, while Mumbai saw a dip in bookings as travelers opted for nearby alternatives.
The Fourth of July weekend recorded the highest bookings, coinciding with national celebrations, while the Christmas season also saw a spike in travel, according to OYO.
Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, OYO Hotels and Homes, led by CEO Ritesh Agarwal, operates a chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes, and living spaces across India, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its parent company, Oravel Stays, recently acquired G6 Hospitality for $525 million, restructured its leadership, and plans to add 150 hotels to the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands next year, focusing on tech integration, property upgrades and market expansion.
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