Feb 7, 2023
By: Srishti Magan
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Travel search site KAYAK shared that flight searches between July 2022 - January 2023 for travels to India in 2023 surpassed pre-pandemic levels, growing by about 29 percent compared to the same period in 2019.
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“Travellers want to experience new, unique and different things. They’re looking beyond the usual favourites to see what else India has to offer,” said Tarun Tahiliani, India country manager, KAYAK. Here’s a look at the top 10 most-searched Indian destinations by international travellers:
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From the crowded lanes of Chandni Chowk to world heritage monuments—Qutub Minar, Red Fort and Humayun's Tomb–Delhi has long been a favourite among international tourists, even giving birth to the infamous concept of ‘Delhi belly’. It ranks first on the list.
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Mumbai, with the envious Marine Drive, the famous Gateway of India, and of course, one of the most photographed spots, Dharavi, is a must-visit for many international tourists and ranks second on the list.
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Ranked third on the list, the city of pearls still holds an age-old charm. From the well-known Char Minar to the Ramoji Film City, there’s a lot that the city of Nizams has to offer.
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A surprise entry into the list, Ahmedabad ranked fourth on the list. Some of the city’s most famous tourist attractions include the Sabarmati Ashram, the Sidi Saiyyed Mosque, and the Auto World Vintage Car Museum, among other places.
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Reports suggest that Tamil Nadu usually has a good record of attracting international tourists, and Chennai often acts as the starting point for a trip to nearby destinations, like Mamallapuram.
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Known as the ‘queen of the Arabian Sea', Kochi is home to heritage sites like Fort Kochi, and is also well-connected to nearby attractions such as Thrissur (famous for India’s Niagara Falls), Alappuzha and Kottayam.
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Though India’s IT city is famous on social media for its traffic jams and weather, Bengaluru is also home to the Bangalore palace, Cubbon Park, and the Lal Bagh Botanical Garden, among other famous landmarks.
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From the universally revered Golden temple to the majestic Wagah Border, and of course, the well-known site of the Jallianwala Bagh massacre - Amritsar is a treasure trove of history, culture, and lip-smacking delicacies that help rank it eighth on the list.
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Goa is on the list of all international travellers to India. A well-loved destination since the 1980s, Goa offers a little of everything - from pristine beaches perfect for relaxation to wild parties that make it easy to while the night away.
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The second city from Kerala to make it to the list, Thiruvananthapuram is famous for its backwaters and beaches, like the Kovalam beach. It’s also home to the famous Padmanabhaswamy Temple, the Napier Museum, the Palace Museum and the Padmanabhapuram Palace.
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