India on the Move: Booking.com Unveils Comprehensive 'How India Travels' Report

India on the Move: Booking.com Unveils Comprehensive 'How India Travels' Report

By Author

Published on October 28, 2023

 Booking.com, in partnership with McKinsey & Company, has launched a groundbreaking report titled 'How India Travels', offering a deep dive into the dynamics of Indian tourism. The report reveals a fascinating shift in the travel behavior of Indians post-pandemic, marking a resurgence in both domestic and international travel with newfound preferences and spending patterns.

A Revived Travel Landscape:

The report underscores a robust rebound in Indian travel post-COVID-19. Indian tourists, once constrained by the pandemic, are now vigorously resuming travel. Their expenditure is expected to skyrocket from USD 150 billion in 2019 to an impressive USD 410 billion by 2030. This surge not only positions India as the fourth largest global spender but also highlights its rapid recovery, with India leading tourism expenditure recovery in 2022 in Asia.

Spontaneity and Unconventionality: A New Travel Ethos:

Indian travelers are setting trends with their spontaneity and unconventional travel choices. Preferring an average planning window of just 29 days, they are seeking new, offbeat destinations, driven by a hunger for authentic, immersive experiences. This change is reflected in their accommodation choices as well, with a significant uptick in bookings for alternative lodgings like hostels, campsites, and vacation rentals.

Exploring Beyond the Beaten Path:

The report notes a shift towards lesser-known destinations within India such as Varanasi, Coimbatore, and Kochi. This trend is mirrored in international travel choices as well, with countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal emerging as popular new destinations for Indian travelers.

The Role of Digital Media and Mega Events:

Digital media and large-scale events are playing pivotal roles in shaping travel decisions. Over 90% of Indian travelers are turning to platforms like YouTube and Instagram for inspiration, while events like the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and the G20 Summit act as significant motivators.

Evolving Industry Dynamics:

In response to these trends, the travel industry is evolving rapidly. Destinations are crafting diverse offerings tailored to Indian travelers, with a focus on personalization and sustainability. This shift is notably visible in cities like Dubai, which cater to a broad spectrum of Indian tourists.

A Look into the Future:

The report, embraced by industry leaders like Santosh Kumar of Booking.com, signifies a transformative phase for the Indian travel industry. With the Indian traveler at the center of this evolution, the industry is poised for an era of unprecedented growth and diversification.

The Bigger Picture:

‘How India Travels’ serves not just as a snapshot of current trends but as a roadmap for the future of Indian tourism. It offers critical insights for industry stakeholders to align with the evolving preferences of Indian travelers, promising a vibrant and dynamic travel ecosystem in the years ahead.

About Booking.com:

Booking.com is a world leader in online travel and related services, offering a wide array of accommodations and experiences worldwide.


Summit Hotels Begins FY2026-27 with Nearly 40% Growth, Driven by Sikkim and Darjeeling Demand

Summit Hotels Begins FY2026-27 with Nearly 40% Growth, Driven by Sikkim and Darjeeling Demand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on June 14, 2026

Summit Hotels & Resorts has started FY2026-27 on a strong note, reporting nearly 40% growth in business during April and May. The company attributes the performance to continued demand for leisure travel in the Eastern Himalayas and the growing preference among travellers for established regional hospitality brands.

During the first two months of the financial year, the hospitality group sold more than 37,000 room nights, with occupancy across its portfolio reaching 78.9%. Average room rates also crossed ₹6,000, highlighting stronger pricing power across several key destinations.

The growth comes despite a temporary slowdown in travel activity in parts of eastern India during the West Bengal Assembly election period. According to the company, destinations across Sikkim and the Darjeeling Hills were the strongest contributors to performance, supported by repeat guests and rising demand for premium mountain getaways.

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Commenting on the performance, Sumit Mitruka, CEO, Summit Hotels & Resorts, said, "We entered the year expecting healthy demand, but the pace of bookings has been stronger than anticipated. What stands out is not just the occupancy but the ability of travellers to continue choosing these destinations despite temporary disruptions. The appetite for experiential leisure travel remains strong, and we are seeing that translate into both room revenue and higher spending within our hotels."

Alongside room revenues, the company also reported healthy growth in food and beverage sales during the period. Guest review scores remained among the highest across its operating markets, reflecting strong customer satisfaction levels.

Building on this momentum, Summit Hotels is now expanding its business model beyond its owned and managed properties in the Eastern Himalayas. The company is actively seeking partnerships with independent hotels, boutique resorts, heritage properties, wildlife lodges, and spiritual retreat destinations across India.

The initiative is designed for hotel owners looking to benefit from organised distribution channels and professional revenue management while retaining ownership and operational control of their properties.

Unlike conventional affiliation models that often require significant upfront investments, Summit's partnership approach focuses on shared growth. Partner properties can maintain their individual identity while gaining access to the company's central reservation system, revenue management expertise, digital marketing support, technology platforms, and hospitality manpower network.

Having completed 18 years in the hospitality industry, Summit believes significant opportunities exist within India's large independent hotel sector, where many properties have strong local appeal but limited access to organised brand support and distribution systems.

With booking momentum continuing into June and advance reservations already nearing last year's levels, the company remains optimistic about sustained demand across leisure and destination travel markets in the coming quarters.


Suba Hotels Ltd Reports Record ₹115.89 Cr Revenue in FY26, Expands to 100+ Hotels

Suba Hotels Ltd Reports Record ₹115.89 Cr Revenue in FY26, Expands to 100+ Hotels

By Hariharan U

Published on June 12, 2026

Suba Hotels Limited (NSE – SME: SUBAHOTELS) has announced its audited financial results for the year ended March 31, 2026, reporting its strongest-ever annual performance alongside significant expansion across its hotel portfolio.

The company’s total revenue rose to ₹115.89 crore in FY26, marking a 45% year-on-year growth. EBITDA increased by 13% to ₹26.82 crore, while Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at ₹18.01 crore, reflecting a 19% rise compared to FY25.

Commenting on the performance, Managing Director Mansur Mehta said FY26 has been a landmark year for the company, driven by strong execution and expansion across markets. Suba Hotels expanded its presence to over 102 operational hotels, 4,660+ keys, and 73 destinations during the year.

He highlighted that one of the company’s key strengths lies in its ability to operate across all five hospitality business models management contracts, revenue sharing, franchising, asset ownership, and hybrid structures, making Suba Hotels one of the few hospitality players in India with such a diversified operational framework.

This flexibility allows us to partner with hotel owners effectively and accelerate expansion across segments,” he said.

CEO Mubeen Mehta noted that the scale achieved in FY26 reflects the strength of the company’s operating platform and execution capabilities. He added that revenue growth was supported by network expansion and improved business volumes across brands.

He also pointed out that EBITDA and PAT margins were impacted due to changes in the GST framework, which led to the loss of input tax credit benefits on certain operating expenses, increasing the overall cost base.

Looking ahead, the company plans to continue expanding through asset-light models, improving operational efficiency, and strengthening its presence in high-growth markets. With a strong pipeline and over 100 hotels already operational, Suba Hotels remains confident of sustaining its growth trajectory.


Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Q4 FY26 Revenue of INR 183.7 Cr

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Reports Q4 FY26 Revenue of INR 183.7 Cr

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 30, 2026

Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels Limited (ASPHL) has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and financial year ended March 31, 2026, reporting steady operational growth supported by strong occupancy levels and continued expansion across key hospitality markets.

The company reported revenue from operations of INR 183.70 crore for Q4 FY26, compared to INR 177.32 crore during the same quarter last year. Operating EBITDA for the quarter stood at INR 52.99 crore, while profit after tax (PAT) was reported at INR 11.88 crore.

ASPHL recorded occupancy levels of 90 per cent during the quarter, reflecting sustained demand across both business and leisure travel segments and reinforcing the company’s position within India’s hospitality sector.

For the full financial year FY26, the company crossed the INR 700 crore annual revenue milestone for the first time, reporting revenue from operations of INR 707.28 crore. Annual PAT for the year stood at INR 65.72 crore.

The company stated that growth during FY26 was supported by expansion into Tier II and Tier III cities along with strategic acquisitions aimed at strengthening its presence in high-potential hospitality destinations.

During the financial year, ASPHL acquired control of Zillion Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, Fisherman’s Grove Resorts Private Limited, and Thali Hotels and Destinations Private Limited. These acquisitions are expected to further strengthen the company’s hospitality presence across Mumbai and Kerala.

ASPHL also reaffirmed its long-term growth plans and said it remains on track to more than double its room inventory to 6,653 keys over the next five years.

The company’s bakery and confectionery brand, Flurys, also continued its expansion during FY26. The brand currently operates 110 outlets and recorded a 29 per cent year-on-year revenue growth during the financial year, supported by new store additions and strong performance across existing outlets.

Commenting on the results, Vijay Dewan, Managing Director, Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, said FY26 marked a significant milestone as the company crossed INR 700 crore in annual revenue for the first time. He added that Q4 reflected resilient operational performance with continued leadership in occupancy and RevPAR metrics.

Dewan further noted that the sale of serviced apartments at EM Bypass, Kolkata, contributed positively to cash flow during the year. He added that the company remains focused on long-term value creation through portfolio expansion, guest-centric experiences, operational efficiency, and margin improvement.

The company also highlighted that recent global recognition received by Ran Baas The Palace, Patiala and The Lotus Palace, Chettinad further strengthens its positioning as a design-led and experience-driven hospitality group.

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