From Goa to Azerbaijan: Booking.com Reveals Destinations That Caught Traveller Attention in 2024

● Domestic travel saw new emerging destinations such as Perumbakkam, Pangala and Tekkumuri among the top 10 most searched destinations for accommodations.

● International travel saw accommodation searches for lesser explored destinations with Shahdag, Azerbaijan leading the top searched destinations in 2024.

● Popular destinations like Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, London and Melbourne continued to interest travellers in 2024.

● Flight searches for Goa increased by 200% as compared to same time last year making it the top searched destination in 2024.

India, December 26, 2024: As the new year begins, Booking.com, one of the world's leading digital travel companies, shares insights into the top destinations Indians searched for in 2024.

Local and global favourites

Travel in 2024 was an interesting mix of exploring both local and global destinations. Goa emerged as the top searched destination in 2024 experiencing a 200% increase in flight searches year-over-year. Beyond metros such as New Delhi and Kolkata, Indian travellers embraced cultural and spiritual exploration with Amritsar, for instance witnessing a 106% increase in searches compared to 2023. Globally popular destinations like Abu Dhabi, Kuala Lumpur, Melbourne, London and Bangkok remained popular choices with flight searches reflecting a y-o-y surge of 90-150%.

Top searched destinations based on flight searches by Indian travellers travelling between 1 January, 2024 and 30 November, 2024:

1. Goa, India

2. Abu Dhabi, UAE

3. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

4. Colombo, Sri Lanka

5. Melbourne, Australia

6. Kolkata, India

7. Amritsar, India

8. London, United Kingdom

9. Bangkok, Thailand

10. New Delhi, India

Offbeat escapes

With ease of travel, offbeat destinations that were earlier not on the traveller’s radar emerged as popular choices. Shahdag in Azerbaijan emerged as the top searched international destination based on accommodation searches in 2024. With Indian travellers seeking new experiences, unexplored international destinations like Stepantsminda (212%), Baku (203%) and Tromso (185%) also emerged as popular choices. Domestically travellers sought authentic experiences with destinations such as Perumbakkam, Pangala and Tekkumuri gaining popularity.

Top searched international destinations according to accommodation searches by Indian travellers travelling between 1 January, 2024 and 30 November, 2024:

1. Shahdag, Azerbaijan

2. Landore, United Kingdom

3. Karachi, Pakistan

4. Gudauri, Georgia

5. Gabala, Azerbaijan

6. Genova, Italy

7. Plan, Spain

8. Stepantsminda, Georgia

9. Baku, Azerbaijan

10. Tromso, Norway

Top searched domestic destinations according to accommodation searches by Indian travellers travelling between 1 January, 2024 and 30 November, 2024:

1. Kolkata

2. Prayagraj

3. Goa

4. Uluberia

5. Perumbakkam

6. Marudhamalai

7. Pangala

8. Ayodhya

9. Tekkumuri

10. Hasanganj

Embracing Immersive Experiences

Travellers were increasingly seeking immersive journeys that allowed them to experience different cultures, heritage and culinary delights. In 2024, top searched attractions on Booking.com included iconic Indian experiences like the private car tour of the Taj Mahal from Delhi and the Old Delhi food and heritage walk. With sustainable travel on the rise, e-biking experience on the beautiful island of Divar in old Goa was also among the top 3 of most searched attractions in 2024.

“As we step into the new year, it is interesting to see how travel preferences have evolved. With the popularity of destinations like Shahdag and Baku in Azerbaijan or Gaudauri in Georgia rising, we see a shift towards offbeat adventures. Improved connectivity, infrastructure and better visa regulations are making travel more accessible, convenient and exciting for everyone. As travellers embrace their desire to explore, Booking.com remains committed to making it easier for everyone to experience the world by offering a seamless platform to book flights, unique accommodations and captivating attractions ensuring a truly memorable travel experience, whether travellers choose a familiar favorite or decide to explore a hidden gem.”

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com 

CONTACT DETAILS

For any queries, please contact the Booking.com India Press Office: nimisha.kale@allisonworldwide.com

Methodology

Flights Search Data:

Flight searches between 1 January, 2024 and 30 November, 2024 with outbound travel dates between 1 January, 2024 and 31 December, 2024, compared to bookings made between 1 January, 2023 to 30 November, 2023 with outbound travel dates between 1 January, 2023 and 31 December, 2023

Accommodation Search Data:

Accommodation searches for dates between 01 January, 2024 and 30 November, 2024 with check-in dates 1 January, 2024 to 31 December, 2024, compared to search dates between 1 January, 2023 to 30 November, 2023 with check-in dates 1 January, 2023 to 31 December 2023

Note: For a destination to be surfaced, it had to be in the top 1,000 most searched on Booking.com

Attractions Search Data:

Attractions searches between 1 January, 2024 and 30 November, 2024 compared to those between 1 January, 2023 to 30 November, 2023

About Booking.com:

Part of Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG), Booking.com’s mission is to make it easier for everyone to experience the world. By investing in the technology that helps take the friction out of travel, Booking.com’s marketplace

seamlessly connects millions of travellers with memorable experiences every day. For more information, follow @bookingcom on social media or visit https://news.booking.com/.