Hyderabad most booked city in 2024; Puri, Varanasi top spiritual destinations

In 2024, Hyderabad has emerged as the most-booked city, leading the travel trend. Meanwhile, spiritual destinations like Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar continued to attract pilgrims, with lesser-known spots like Govardhan and Deoghar gaining popularity.

In Short

• Hyderabad tops as India’s most booked city in 2024
• Govardhan, Deoghar show significant growth in bookings
• Puri, Varanasi, Haridwar lead in spiritual travel

India, renowned for its spirituality and cultural ties, is witnessing a significant shift in how Indians are traveling and the destinations they are choosing. Spiritual hubs like Varanasi, Haridwar, and Puri have been listed as favourite religious destinations in OYO's Travelopedia 2024 report. Emerging sites such as Govardhan in Uttar Pradesh, Deoghar, and Palani have also been highlighted in the report.

The Travelopedia report was released on December 24, 2024. According to the report, Hyderabad, a city poised as a future tech giant, emerged as India’s most booked city of 2024, followed by Bengaluru, the "Silicon Valley of India," and Delhi. Kolkata ranked fourth on the list.

Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state in the country, was listed as the most travelled state, while high booking volumes were also recorded in Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka.

OYO's annual 'Travelopedia 2024' report has highlighted key trends in travel patterns across India, based on the booking data of the travel tech company.

SMALLER TOWNS ARE BECOMING MAJOR TRAVELLING SITES

Smaller towns, including Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli, reported a significant rise in bookings, with year-on-year growth of up to 48 percent.

Leisure travel also saw a surge, with Jaipur maintaining its status as a preferred destination. Other popular locations included Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore. The report noted a decline in bookings for Mumbai, as travellers opted for nearby leisure spots instead.

OYO stated that these trends highlight evolving travel preferences, with a mix of established tourist hubs and emerging destinations shaping India's travel landscape.

The report underlines the importance of both spiritual and leisure tourism in driving the country’s travel sector, while also indicating a growing interest in exploring smaller towns and less-frequented destinations.