Puri and Varanasi lead as India’s top religious destinations in OYO’s Travelopedia 2024 – ET TravelWorld

OYO, the global hospitality technology company, has unveiled its Travelopedia 2024, an annual report offering an in-depth look at travel trends and patterns based on extensive booking data. The report highlights key destinations and shifting travel behaviours, revealing the growing popularity of both spiritual journeys and off-the-beaten-path escapes.

In India, religious tourism remained a significant focus, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar leading the way as the most-travelled pilgrimage destinations. However, the report also identifies a notable rise in interest for less-explored spiritual locations such as Deoghar, Palani, and Govardhan, which have seen substantial growth in bookings. This indicates a shift towards more authentic and meaningful spiritual experiences in line with the broader trend of experiential travel.

Hyderabad emerged as India’s most-booked city in 2024, overtaking other major cities. The city’s emergence is attributed to its reputation as a thriving tech and business hub, alongside its rich cultural heritage and culinary scene. Other cities like Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata also saw strong bookings, while smaller towns such as Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli recorded remarkable growth, reflecting a growing desire to explore quieter, lesser-crowded destinations.

The year also saw a rise in leisure travel, with destinations like Jaipur, Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore continuing to attract tourists. Notably, Mumbai saw a decline in bookings as travellers opted for nearby locations for leisure. Longer stays and spontaneous trips became increasingly popular, with travellers seeking both quick getaways and extended visits.

In the global context, the report indicates a growing preference for exploring new destinations, such as Salzburg and Tyrol in Austria, as well as West Flanders and Liège in Belgium. The trend of booking vacation homes also surged across Europe, particularly in North Holland and Guelders, as travellers sought more personalized and immersive experiences.

Shreerang Godbole, Global Chief Service Officer at OYO, commented, “2024 has marked a year of transformation in global travel. We’ve seen how travellers are embracing flexibility and adaptability, whether for business or leisure. As remote work trends continue to influence travel patterns, we’ve seen significant demand for both quick getaways and longer stays. OYO’s enhanced tech capabilities continue to provide seamless travel experiences for all.”With OYO’s advanced technological features, including the popular Nearby Button, the report also highlights the increasing role of digital tools in shaping the future of travel. The app saw over 400 million uses of the Nearby Button in 2024, allowing users to quickly find nearby accommodation options.

Looking ahead to 2025, OYO continues to embrace technological advancements to better cater to the evolving travel landscape, offering more insights and opportunities to enhance the way the world travels.