Wego, a leading travel platform, has reported a significant 17.10% rise in international flight searches from India in November, highlighting the impact of Diwali and festive travel patterns.
The surge in travel activity last month reflects a marked increase in demand, particularly from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait saw the highest volume of searches, followed by destinations such as Thailand, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Bahrain, the United States, and Indonesia.
Festive Travel Surge
The rise in travel searches coincides with the post-Diwali period, a time when many Indians, both residing domestically and abroad, plan their travels around the festival. Wego’s analysis attributes the increase to a combination of return visits by the Indian diaspora and domestic trips sparked by extended holidays. According to Bernard Corraya, General Manager for Wego India, the timing of Diwali plays a key role in shaping travel habits, as expatriates often time their visits back home during this festive season.
Beyond Diwali, other significant cultural holidays such as Guru Nanak Jayanti and Chhath Puja contributed to an uptick in travel. These occasions offered opportunities for extended weekends, spurring many to take short breaks or longer vacations, further driving travel demand across the country.
Flight Price Trends
Wego’s experts also noted a significant increase in flight prices, with average airfare from India to the top 10 destinations rising by up to 34.43% month-over-month. Despite this, year-over-year trends showed a decrease in prices for many destinations. For example, airfare to Qatar dropped by 38.05%, while flights to Kuwait saw a 15.36% reduction, indicating a cooling of prices compared to the same period in 2023.
The combination of festive celebrations and competitive airfare trends has made November an active month for travelers, providing a much-needed boost to the travel sector.
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