Agoda has signed an agreement with Goa Tourism to promote the coastal state, with the aim of highlighting the various experiences that Goa can offer to different travelers. As part of the partnership, Agoda will create custom pages and travel guides that showcase Goa and its hidden gems. This collaboration is part of Goa’s efforts to promote itself beyond its beaches as a year-round destination. Previously, the government of Goa had partnered with MakeMyTrip to focus on the inland offerings of the state, further emphasizing the importance of promoting the state beyond its beaches.
According to travel insights by Booking.com, Ooty is the most-searched leisure destination among Indian travelers this year, with 57% of travelers looking to undertake long domestic trips between April 15 and July 15. In terms of international destinations, Dubai remains the most favored destination for summer travel, followed by Singapore, London, Paris, and Bangkok. Booking.com’s country manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia noted a shift in the way Indians approach summer travel, with a growing desire for culturally significant or leisure-oriented destinations offering immersive experiences.
IndiGo has announced three new routes that will be operational from May this year, connecting Kozhikode with Kochi in Kerala, Kochi with Agatti in the Lakshadweep archipelago, and Kozhikode with Agatti via Kochi. These new routes are part of the airline’s efforts to contribute to travel, tourism, and trade in the region, aligning with the government of India’s push to promote tourism in Lakshadweep. Additionally, Air India has appointed Jayaraj Shanmugam as the head of global airport operations, effective April 15, to oversee the airline’s airport operations worldwide and ensure a smooth passenger journey.
RCI has launched its first-ever cruise exchange program in India, allowing members to use their timeshare ownerships to access discounted rates on cruise bookings worldwide. Active members will have a range of cruise options to choose from, including different destinations, cruise lengths, and cabin categories. Air India Express has also launched ‘Bag Track and Protect’ services in partnership with Blue Ribbon Bag, which allows passengers to track their baggage and facilitates the expedited return of delayed baggage. This service also offers compensation in case of delayed baggage not being delivered within 96 hours of landing at the destination.
Overall, these developments in the travel industry in India highlight a shift towards promoting destinations beyond their traditional offerings, such as beaches, and towards providing more diverse experiences for travelers. As travelers gravitate towards culturally significant or leisure-oriented destinations offering immersive experiences, airlines and travel companies are responding by introducing new routes, partnerships, and services to cater to the changing preferences of Indian travelers. Goa’s partnership with Agoda and MakeMyTrip, the popularity of Ooty as a domestic leisure destination, and the launch of new routes by IndiGo and Air India demonstrate the industry’s efforts to adapt to evolving traveler preferences and enhance the overall travel experience.
