Holiday travel trends 2024: Goa tops charts as India plans extended festive getaways

The holiday season has travel enthusiasts buzzing, with Goa emerging as the most searched domestic destination, according to Make My Trip’s latest report, named Travel Search & Booking Trends in India for Year-End 2024.

The top 20 domestic cities account for 40% of all travel searches, with hill stations gaining significant traction. Notably, Manali, Varanasi, Mussoorie, and Udaipur reported double-digit growth in search interest, reflecting the growing preference for cooler, scenic retreats. Nearly 40% of the top destinations feature hill stations across North and South India, highlighting a widespread demand for nature escapes.

This year, the travel rush peaks on December 21st—the Saturday before Christmas—similar to last year. However, a notable surge in searches for December 25th indicates that many travelers plan to extend their holidays through the New Year.


For international destinations, the top 20 cities dominate with 83% of total searches. Azerbaijan leads with a remarkable 248% increase in search activity, while Malaysia follows with 100% growth. Meanwhile, Japan, Vietnam, and Turkey are witnessing robust double-digit growth, signaling their rising appeal among Indian travelers.

Top domestic destinations for 2024 holiday season:
1. Goa
2. Mumbai
3. Udaipur
4. Delhi
5. Jaipur
6. Manali
7. Puri
8. Bengaluru
9. Munnar
10. Varanasi
11. Lonavala
12. Mahabaleshwar
13. Hyderabad
14. Ooty
15. Jaisalmer
16. Kolkata
17. Coorg
18. Mussoorie
19. Pondicherry
20. Shimla

As the year draws to a close, Indian travelers appear eager to unwind, explore, and celebrate—making destinations both domestic and international come alive for the festive season.