MakeMyTrip, a leading online travel company, has reported a significant uptick in pilgrimage travel across India. According to the company's latest report, spiritual tourism to 56 destinations in the country has grown by 19%, highlighting a robust trend in this segment of the travel industry.

Key Pilgrimage Destinations

The report identifies several top destinations that have contributed to this growth:

• Uttar Pradesh: Varanasi, Prayagraj, and Ayodhya emerged as leading pilgrimage sites
• Other Popular Locations: Puri, Amritsar, and Tirupati also saw significant visitor numbers

Travel Patterns and Booking Trends

MakeMyTrip's data reveals interesting insights into how pilgrims are planning their spiritual journeys:

• 63% of trips were booked within a week of travel, indicating a preference for spontaneous or last-minute planning
• Over half of the travelers opted for single-night stays
• Only 5% of pilgrims chose to stay for four nights or more
• Group bookings accounted for a substantial 47% of all reservations

Accommodation Preferences

The report sheds light on the types of accommodations favored by pilgrimage travelers:

• Most rooms booked were priced below Rs 4,500
• Premium hotels (above Rs 7,000 per night) experienced a 20% growth
• Homestays and apartments represented 10% of total stays, indicating a growing interest in alternative accommodations

Factors Contributing to Growth

Rajesh Magow, CEO of MakeMyTrip, attributed the growth in pilgrimage travel to improved connectivity across the country. He also highlighted a recent development that could further boost domestic travel:

"The recent GST cuts on hotel rooms below Rs 7,500 will make travel more affordable for domestic travelers," Magow stated, suggesting that this could contribute to continued growth in the sector.

Impact on the Travel Industry

The surge in pilgrimage travel represents a significant opportunity for the Indian travel and hospitality sector. With a 19% year-on-year growth, spiritual tourism is emerging as a key driver for domestic travel. The diverse preferences in accommodation types and the strong showing of group bookings indicate a market ripe for tailored travel packages and services.

As connectivity improves and travel becomes more affordable due to policy changes like GST cuts, the pilgrimage travel segment is poised for further expansion. This trend could lead to increased investment in infrastructure and services in and around major spiritual destinations, potentially boosting local economies and the overall tourism industry in India.

MakeMyTrip's report underscores the importance of understanding and catering to the unique needs of pilgrimage travelers, from flexible booking options to a range of accommodation choices. As this segment continues to grow, it may reshape strategies for both online travel platforms and traditional tour operators in the coming years.

MakeMyTrip, a leading online travel company, has launched Myra, an innovative AI-powered multilingual assistant designed to revolutionize the travel planning and booking experience for Indian users. This new tool aims to break down language barriers and simplify travel arrangements for a broader audience, particularly targeting first-time travelers from smaller towns and tier-2/3 cities.

Features of Myra

• Multilingual Support: Myra understands and communicates in various Indian languages, making it accessible to non-English speaking users.
• Voice and Text Interactions: The assistant supports both voice and text-based conversations, enhancing user convenience.
• Comprehensive Travel Services: Myra is integrated across MakeMyTrip's platform, assisting with flights, hotels, cabs, and activity bookings.
• AI-Powered Itinerary Generation: The tool can create travel itineraries and handle individual bookings.

Expanding Accessibility

Rajesh Magow, CEO of MakeMyTrip, emphasized the company's commitment to expanding language support in the coming months. This strategic move aims to cater to the underserved market of travelers from smaller towns and cities who may find English-first platforms challenging to navigate.

Addressing User Pain Points

Myra is designed to tackle common friction points in trip planning and post-sales support, streamlining the entire travel process from initial research to final booking and beyond.

Limitations and Future Development

While Myra represents a significant step forward in AI-assisted travel planning, it currently has some limitations:

• Unable to manage complex group tours
• Cannot handle MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) bookings
• Human intervention still required for negotiations and emergency situations

MakeMyTrip's AI Journey

The launch of Myra is not MakeMyTrip's first foray into artificial intelligence. The company has been investing in AI technology since 2017, with Myra being its most consumer-facing AI product to date. This launch aligns with MakeMyTrip's long-term strategy of leveraging technology to make travel planning more accessible and user-friendly.

Implications for the Travel Industry

The introduction of Myra signifies positive trends in the travel industry. By focusing on natural language processing, multilingual support, and adapting to market challenges, MakeMyTrip is positioning itself to capture a larger share of the Indian travel market, particularly in regions where English is not the primary language of communication.

As the travel sector continues to evolve, innovations like Myra could play a crucial role in reshaping how people plan and book their trips, potentially setting new standards for customer service and accessibility in the industry.