Hyderabad emerges as the most booked city in 2024, says OYO's report

OYO’s latest annual report, Travelopedia 2024, reveals that Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar are the most travelled spiritual destinations this year, while Hyderabad takes the top spot as India’s most-booked city. The findings are based on booking data collected throughout 2024.

Spiritual travel trends

According to the report, religious tourism remains a key focus in India, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar drawing the highest number of pilgrims.

However, less-explored destinations like Deoghar, Palani, and Govardhan have also seen a significant surge in footfall, reflecting a growing interest in offbeat spiritual sites.

Most-booked cities

1. Hyderabad stands as India’s most-booked city.  
2. Other popular urban hubs include Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata.  
3. Uttar Pradesh continues to be the most sought-after state for travel, while Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka also ranked high in bookings.

Smaller towns like Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli showed impressive growth, with year-on-year bookings rising by nearly 48%. This indicates an increasing appetite for exploring less-crowded destinations.

Leisure travel highlights

Leisure travel also boomed this year, with:

1. Jaipur remains a favourite tourist hotspot.  
2. Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore follow closely behind.  
3. Mumbai registered a drop in leisure bookings, as more travellers chose nearby getaway locations instead.

Peak booking periods

The report shows that the Fourth of July weekend recorded the highest number of bookings, aligning with holiday celebrations. The Christmas season also witnessed a sharp increase in travel, indicating a growing preference for end-of-year getaways.

Industry insight

Shreerang Godbole, Global Chief Service Officer at OYO, said, “2024 has marked a year of transformation in the global travel landscape. We’ve seen how travellers are embracing flexibility and adaptability, whether for business or leisure. As remote work trends continue to shape how people approach travel, the demand for both quick getaways and long stays has been a significant driver of bookings this year.”