The excitement of cricket is sweeping across India with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 on the horizon. To celebrate the upcoming cricket extravaganza, Booking.com, the official accommodation partner for the tournament, has launched its campaign 'Howzat for your perfect stay.' This campaign marries the worlds of travel and cricket while paying tribute to the fervent fans who make it all possible.

The campaign launch event in Mumbai featured renowned former Indian cricketer Zaheer Khan, Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan, and Santosh Kumar, Booking.com's Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia.

Sports and travel often go hand in hand, and mega sporting events like the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup tend to attract travelers to host destinations. This surge in visitors significantly benefits both domestic and international tourism. According to the most recent Booking.com APAC Travel Confidence Index, a remarkable 56 percent of Indians are eagerly looking forward to attending live events, including sports tournaments, in 2023.

Additionally, Booking.com’s data reveals a surge in inbound travel as fans from around the world flock to India for the tournament taking place from October 5 to November 19, 2023. The United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, and Australia are among the top countries searching for accommodations in India during this period.

According to Booking.com, during the tournament period (October 5 to November 19, 2023), seven of the top ten most searched destinations in India are cities hosting matches. These include Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. On specific match days, such as the highly anticipated India vs. Pakistan clash on October 14, Ahmedabad becomes the second most searched destination, followed by Delhi.

Varun Dhawan, the Bollywood actor and an ardent cricket fan, expressed his enthusiasm for the campaign. He emphasized the joy of traveling and booking the perfect stay to watch one's favorite team play live, thanks to Booking.com's association with the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.

Booking.com's campaign for the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup showcases the fun and excitement of booking accommodations with the platform. It features Indian team captain Rohit Sharma alongside international cricket stars Jos Buttler and Glenn Maxwell. The campaign takes viewers on a journey with a family dreaming of their ideal cricket stay.

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager at Booking.com, noted that major sporting events have a significant impact on travel desires and demands. The launch of their campaign celebrates one of the world's biggest sports and the thrill of booking with Booking.com.

As the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023 kicks off, travel and accommodation in India are in high demand. New Delhi, which hosts several matches, has seen a surge in hotel bookings, leading to a 25% to 30% increase in room rates. Additionally, airfares to host cities have risen by 30% to 60%. The tournament is expected to draw cricket fans from around the world to India, providing a significant boost to the hospitality and travel sectors. The excitement is palpable, and both fans and businesses are gearing up for a thrilling cricket season.