OYO's 2023 Report: Hyderabad Leads, Uttar Pradesh Tops Bookings in India

OYO's 2023 Report: Hyderabad Leads, Uttar Pradesh Tops Bookings in India

By Author

Published on December 23, 2023

As the year winds down, OYO, the renowned hospitality technology company, unveils its much-anticipated Travelopedia 2023. This comprehensive report, fueled by the booking data of over 93 million users globally, sheds light on the travel trends that have captivated India and countries like the UK, the US, Germany, and several others in Asia and Europe, from January 1st to December 1st, 2023.

India's Travel Heartbeat:

  • Hyderabad Leads: Hyderabad has emerged as the most sought-after city in India, followed closely by Bangalore, Delhi, and Kolkata.

  • Uttar Pradesh, the Most Booked State: Topping the charts, Uttar Pradesh has been the most booked state this year, with Maharashtra, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh not far behind.

  • Leisure Travel Favorites: In the realm of leisure, Jaipur reigns supreme, accompanied by popular destinations like Goa, Mysore, and Pondicherry.

  • Spiritual Sojourns: Puri stands out as the top spiritual and pilgrimage destination, with Amritsar, Varanasi, and Haridwar also being prominent choices.

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Bookings Beyond Borders:

  • Smaller Towns Shine: Towns like Gorakhpur, Digha, Warangal, and Guntur have seen the highest year-over-year growth in bookings.

Global Snapshots:

  • USA: Texas and Florida are among the most-travelled states, with Houston and Tulsa as top cities. July 21st marked the peak booking day.

  • UK: London leads the UK travel scene, with a 13% increase in bookings. August 26th was the busiest booking day.

  • Europe: Salzburg and Tyrol are among Europe's hotspots. The longest stay recorded was 203 days in Svaneke, Denmark.

  • Indonesia: Jakarta and Bali topped the list, with a significant 52% booking increase.

Shreerang Godbole Speaks:

Shreerang Godbole, OYO's Global Chief Service Officer, reflects on 2023 as a transformative year for travel, highlighting a shift towards domestic destinations and the rise in business travel within India.


Candy Bounce Brings India’s Biggest Candy Themed Inflatable Park to Coimbatore

Candy Bounce Brings India’s Biggest Candy Themed Inflatable Park to Coimbatore

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 14, 2026

Coimbatore is all set to turn into a world of colour, energy, and excitement with the arrival of Candy Bounce, India’s biggest candy-themed inflatable bounce park. Designed and curated by Global Media Box and brought to the city by Pressana Infra, this global attraction marks the first-ever introduction of the Candy Bounce concept in India. The park has been launched at Golden Grove by Pressana Infra in Nanjundapuram, adding a fresh and vibrant entertainment option to the city.

Spread across an expansive area of over 30,000 square feet, Candy Bounce transforms playtime into a lively candy universe filled with oversized sweets, ice-cream-inspired inflatables, and interactive play zones. Conceptualised as a safe, high-energy, and family-friendly destination, the park caters to visitors of all age groups, making it an ideal outing for children, teenagers, and families.

Inside the park, visitors can enjoy a wide variety of inflatable attractions where they can slide, bounce, jump, climb, crawl, and explore creatively designed play areas. One of the major highlights is the Candy Obstacle Run, an engaging challenge course that combines fitness with fun and adventure, offering an exciting experience for both teens and adults while also encouraging active play.

Beyond its entertainment value, Candy Bounce also serves as a lively social and relaxation space. With colourful installations and playful candy-themed setups, the park offers a visually engaging environment that appeals to families, youngsters, influencers, and photography enthusiasts looking to capture memorable moments.

Envisioned as a pan-India experiential entertainment property, Candy Bounce aims to boost domestic tourism through immersive and interactive attractions. Following its debut in Coimbatore, the park is planned to travel across major cities including Chennai, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and other destinations, bringing this unique candy-themed experience to audiences across the country.

Poised to become one of Coimbatore’s most exciting seasonal attractions, Candy Bounce promises a delightful mix of fun, fitness, and fantasy, all packed into one giant inflatable park.


Parag Milk Foods’ Akshali Shah Shares Expectations from Budget 2026 for Dairy and FMCG Sectors

Parag Milk Foods’ Akshali Shah Shares Expectations from Budget 2026 for Dairy and FMCG Sectors

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 14, 2026

As Budget 2026 approaches, the dairy and FMCG sectors are closely watching policy direction, particularly around infrastructure, rural demand, and consumption growth. Sharing her perspective on the upcoming budget, Akshali Shah, Executive Director, Parag Milk Foods, emphasised the importance of sustained focus on agriculture and dairy as key pillars of India’s growth story.

She highlighted that strengthening dairy infrastructure, improving farm productivity, and expanding milk collection can significantly enhance efficiency and global competitiveness. According to her, investments in modern processing technology, organised supply chains, and better farm practices are essential to support farmers, reduce wastage, and position Indian dairy products more strongly on the global stage.

Commenting on taxation reforms and consumption trends, Akshali Shah said, “Ahead of Budget 2026, a continued focus on the dairy and agriculture sector, particularly on strengthening infrastructure, improving farm productivity, and expanding milk collection, can help the sector become more efficient and globally competitive. Investments in modern processing technology, organised supply chains, and better farm practices will not only support farmers and reduce wastage but also give the Indian dairy sector greater global reach and recognition for quality products.”

She further noted that GST and other tax reforms have played a positive role in supporting consumption patterns. While urban demand is showing signs of recovery, she pointed out that rural consumption continues to require policy support due to inflationary pressures and monsoon-related uncertainties.

Sharing her expectations from the upcoming budget, she added, “Reforms in GST and other taxation have played a positive role in supporting consumption patterns over the past year. Boosting consumption remains an important ask from the FMCG sector. While urban demand is showing signs of recovery, rural consumption, though resilient requires continued policy support, especially in the face of monsoon risks and inflationary pressures.”

Looking ahead, Akshali Shah expressed optimism that Budget 2026 will continue to strengthen agricultural and dairy infrastructure, while encouraging the adoption of modern technology. She stressed the importance of incentives for modern processing facilities, expansion of cold-chain logistics, and improved access to credit for farmers to build a more resilient and competitive sector.

She concluded, “Looking ahead, we hope Budget 2026 will continue to strengthen agricultural and dairy infrastructure, support rural development, and encourage the adoption of modern technology. Initiatives such as incentivising modern processing facilities and expanding cold-chain logistics can help improve milk availability, product quality, and overall efficiency. By building on recent progress and supporting farmers with better access to credit and resources, the sector can become more resilient, competitive, and capable of meeting growing consumer demand.”


Southern Spice at Taj Coromandel Curates a Traditional Pongal Virundhu Celebration

Southern Spice at Taj Coromandel Curates a Traditional Pongal Virundhu Celebration

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 14, 2026

Pongal, the cherished Tamil harvest festival, is a celebration of gratitude to nature and the divine, marking abundance, renewal, and togetherness. Deeply rooted in tradition and ritual, the festival holds special significance as a culinary celebration that brings families and communities together. Honouring this timeless legacy, Southern Spice at Taj Coromandel, Chennai presents a specially curated Pongal Virundhu from 14th - 18th of January, 2026, that captures the essence of the festival through authentic flavours and classic preparations.

Recognised among India’s top 50 restaurants by Condé Nast Traveller India, Southern Spice is renowned for its dedication to South Indian culinary heritage. The restaurant offers delicacies from across the four southern states, served in an ambience inspired by the grandeur of Chola, Pallava, and Pandya temple architecture, with ornate columns, artefacts, and murals enhancing the dining experience.

The Pongal Virundhu is crafted by the culinary team at Southern Spice under the leadership of Executive Chef Vikas Milhoutra. The menu brings traditional harvest-time flavours to the table, featuring comforting favourites such as Kalkandu Pongal, a gently sweet rice and lentil dish that reflects the warmth of festive cooking. Classic treats like Athirasam, prepared with jaggery, rice flour, and ghee, and the beloved Kai Murukku, made from rice flour and urad dal, add a nostalgic touch to the feast.

Adding regional character to the spread is the Vadu Mangai Stuffed Kuzhi Paniyaram, where soft rice and lentil dumplings are filled with tender mango pickle, offering bursts of tangy flavour. Savoury accompaniments include Nattu Kai Sambar made with lentils, country vegetables, and Madras onion spices, along with Padaipu Kozhambu, a rustic lentil curry enriched with seasonal produce. The menu is further complemented by Beans and Carrot Paruppu Usili, where steamed lentils are tossed with vegetables to create a hearty and satisfying dish.

To complete the festive experience, traditional beverages such as a tender coconut mocktail, cooling Nannari Sherbet, and spiced buttermilk are served alongside the meal. Together, these elements come together to create a soulful culinary journey that reflects the spirit of Pongal, celebrating abundance, tradition, and the joy of shared meals.

Dining Details

Venue: Southern Spice, Taj Coromandel, Chennai.
Pongal Virundhu, Lunch and Dinner, À la carte options are available. 

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