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Saudi Arabia Leads Dynamic Surge in India Travel with 40.71% Growth, Reveals Wego
Saudi Arabia’s leading travel app, Wego, which is also the largest online travel marketplace in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), has revealed a significant surge in travel interest to India during the first half of 2024.According to Wego’s data from January to June 2024, searches for international flights to India experienced a 40.71% year-over-year increase. The growth in international flight searches to India on Wego has been consistent over the past few years, with this year’s inbound flight searches surpassing even pre-pandemic levels from the same period in 2019.
The platform’s data for the first half of 2024 indicates significant travel interest to India from various regions, particularly the GCC countries. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman were the top five sources of travelers, underscoring the strong cultural and economic ties between India and these Gulf nations.
In addition to the GCC countries, Bahrain also demonstrated substantial travel interest, reflecting its active travel connections with India. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand were also among the top ten countries of origin for travelers to India.
Bernard Corraya, General Manager of Wego India office, said: “The findings suggest a dynamic travel landscape where India remains a key destination for both leisure and business travelers from across the globe, driven by various factors such as tourism, business ventures, and familial connections.”
Wego reported a notable spike in flight searches to India during April and June 2024, coinciding with the celebrations of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. These festive periods often see travelers from the Middle East taking advantage of extended holidays to visit family, explore new places, or embark on religious pilgrimages.
This increase in international interest in India presents a significant opportunity for Indian travel companies. Hotels, tour operators, and local experience providers can now connect with a broader international audience eager to experience India’s unique culture. Wego’s user-friendly platform, particularly on mobile devices, makes it easy for travelers to discover and book their ideal Indian adventure.
Wego’s data also revealed that searches from Saudi Arabia made up a substantial 42% of all international searches to India, emphasizing the strong travel demand between the two countries.
Notably, routes from Riyadh to New Delhi and Riyadh to Lucknow were among the most popular, indicating a significant interest from Saudi travelers in both major metropolitan centers and culturally important cities in India.
Additionally, the surge in searches during Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha was accompanied by increased interest in popular Indian destinations like Kozhikode, New Delhi, Cochin, Lucknow, and Mumbai during April and June 2024. This period also aligns with the summer school breaks in GCC countries, making it an ideal time for families to travel together.
Source: Travel And Tour World
