Wego, the number 1 travel app and the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has revealed insights into Indian travel trends that shaped the month of November.
In November, Wego recorded a 17.10% increase in international flight searches from India, indicating a robust growth over the same period last year. The GCC countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Kuwait, recorded the highest number of searches from India during this period.
Thailand, Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Bahrain, United States, and Indonesia rounded up the list.
Diwali Influence on Travel
According to Wego’s analysis, the surge in travel from India in November aligns with the post-Diwali period, reflecting a blend of vacations and return trips by the Indian diaspora.
Bernard Corraya, General Manager, India at Wego, noted that the timing of Diwali influences travel patterns, as many expatriates plan their annual visits around this festive season The extended holidays for Indian residents in November met the expectation of increased travel within India. In addition to Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti and Chhath Puja further fueled the travel spirit. These occasions provided opportunities for extended weekends and holidays, encouraging people to embark on short trips or longer vacations. The collective impact of these festivities created an ideal environment for the travel industry, driving demand and invigorating the entire travel ecosystem.
Airfare Trends
Wego’s experts observed a month-over-month increase of up to 34.43% in average flight prices from India to the top 10 destinations, signaling the continuing travel demand following Diwali celebration.
However, when compared to the previous year, most destinations saw a decrease in average airfares. YoY airfares to destinations like Qatar and Kuwait, for instance, are down 38.05% and 15.36% respectively.