NEW DELHI: Indian travellers are getting increasingly younger. They are also travelling and spending more than ever before, according to a survey byMakeMyTrip. Sample this: 30% of new travellers are in the age group of 18 to 24 years, compared to 24% last year and both spending and average vacation time period is up by 10%.

Data collated from bookings on MakeMyTrip scanning over 400 cities travellers shows that on an average Indians holidayed from 7-9 days last year which has increased from 12-14 days this year with people clubbing multiple destinations in their itinerary. Spending has increased to Rs 50,000 for short haul destinations and a lakh for long haul trips.More people are taking 3-4 long weekend breaks in a year and a couple of short-holidays, especially during the festive season, said the survey conducted between January-June 2016. The India Travel Report 2016 also revealed that Indians took 1.7 trips this year as compared to 1.5 in the same time period in 2015.

Speaking on the report, Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and CEO-India, MakeMyTrip said, “Travellers are increasingly becoming younger. Just like financial or career ambition, people now have travel ambition especially the younger generation. This has had a direct effect on the travel landscape of the country which is now being driven by young Indian travellers.”

Indians made more impromptu international travel booking as 65% of international travellers now plan within 4 weeks compared to 59% until June last year. South east Asia, Middle East, Gulf continue to be the top searched international destinations for Indian travellers. While Mumbai-Dubai was the top searched route in 2016 and saw the highest growth (71%), Delhi-Goa were the most popular route for domestic travel and saw the highest growth (200%).

Consequent to younger travellers, mobile usage has also increased. Mobile transactions saw a growth of 313% and constitutes for 54% of the total transactions, as compared to 25% last year.

[Source:-Times Of India]