A recent report from AI travel platform Thrillophilia reveals shifting preferences in festive season travel, indicating a move towards more affordable and experience-driven options, referred to as "smart luxury." The analysis shows a 22 percent year-over-year increase in bookings for mid-range accommodations, specifically those priced between ₹2,000 and ₹6,000 per night. These bookings constituted 48 percent of all reservations on the platform during this period.
Data from the report also highlights a predominant trend towards shorter getaways. Trips lasting two to three nights accounted for 58 percent of all bookings, an increase of 6 percentage points from the previous year. The average trip length recorded was 2.6 nights, suggesting travelers are favoring more frequent, brief holidays. Furthermore, the average booking window extended to 21 days, three days earlier than the prior year, indicating increased advance planning.
Specific activity bookings also saw substantial growth: trekking increased by 27 percent, local sightseeing by 24 percent, and cultural and culinary activities by 22 percent.
Source: https://www.livemint.com/news/india/affordable-leisure-booking-surge-22-this-festive-season-short-trips-dominate-check-which-cities-topped-the-list-11760954690511.html