Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Report: Hyderabad was most-booked Indian city for 2024

Uttar Pradesh remains India’s top travel state, followed by Maharashtra, Telangana and Karnataka

Report: Hyderabad was most-booked Indian city for 2024

SOUTH INDIAN CITY Hyderabad topped the list of most-booked cities in India for 2024, according to a recent study by OYO. Religious tourism remains strong, with Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar as key spiritual destinations, drawing large numbers of pilgrims.

OYO's annual "Travelopedia 2024" report analyzes travel trends using its booking data.


"2024 has marked a year of transformation in global travel,” said Shreerang Godbole, OYO’s global chief service officer. “Travellers are embracing flexibility, whether for business or leisure. Remote work trends are driving demand for both quick getaways and long stays."

Hyderabad led bookings, with growth in both leisure and business travel, followed by Bengaluru, Delhi, and Kolkata, the study found. Uttar Pradesh remains India’s top travel state, with Maharashtra, Telangana, and Karnataka also showing strong booking volumes. Smaller towns like Patna, Rajahmundry, and Hubli saw up to 48 percent year-on-year booking growth, indicating rising interest in non-metro destinations.

In addition to Puri, Varanasi, and Haridwar, emerging destinations such as Deoghar, Palani, and Govardhan are seeing growth in spiritual tourism, reflecting rising interest in lesser-known spiritual sites, OYO said. Travelers are increasingly exploring beyond traditional hubs.

Leisure travel gained momentum, with Jaipur maintaining steady visitor interest. Goa, Pondicherry, and Mysore remain popular for relaxation, while Mumbai saw a dip in bookings as travelers opted for nearby alternatives.

The Fourth of July weekend recorded the highest bookings, coinciding with national celebrations, while the Christmas season also saw a spike in travel, according to OYO.

Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, OYO Hotels and Homes, led by CEO Ritesh Agarwal, operates a chain of leased and franchised hotels, homes, and living spaces across India, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Its parent company, Oravel Stays, recently acquired G6 Hospitality for $525 million, restructured its leadership, and plans to add 150 hotels to the Motel 6 and Studio 6 brands next year, focusing on tech integration, property upgrades and market expansion.

More for you

OYO Eyes $7-8B IPO Filing in November 2025
Photo credit: Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images

Report: OYO eyes $7-8B IPO filing in November

Summary:

  • OYO reportedly plans to file its DRHP in November for a $7-8 billion IPO.
  • The company recently delayed its third IPO attempt due to market volatility.
  • It added more than 150 hotels to its U.S. portfolio in the first half of 2025.

OYO IS REPORTEDLY planning to file its Draft Red Herring Prospectus in November for an IPO targeting a $7 to 8 billion valuation. The company will present the proposal to its board next week.

Discussions with banking partners have increased in recent weeks, with valuation guidance at $7 to 8 billion (about ₹70 per share), or 25 to 30 times EBITDA, Press Trust of India reported citing sources.

Keep ReadingShow less
IHCL expands portfolio past 550 hotels with ANK, Pride, Brij partnerships
Photo credit: IHCL

IHCL grows portfolio past 550 hotels

Summary:

  • IHCL expands portfolio past 550 hotels by through acquisitions and partnerships.
  • Promoters of ANK, Pride and Brij come from the Clarks Hotels family.
  • ANK and Pride operates midscale hotels, Brij focuses on the boutique and experiential segment.

THE INDIAN HOTELS Co. Ltd acquired a controlling stake in ANK Hotels Pvt. Ltd and Pride Hospitality Pvt. Ltd and signed a distribution agreement with Brij Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. The deals expand IHCL’s portfolio to more than 550 hotels, increase its midscale presence to over 240 properties and add the Brij brand.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mahindra Holidays plans 10,000 hotel rooms by 2030 amid India tourism boom
Photo credit: Club Mahindra

India's Mahindra maps 10,000-room expansion

Summary:

  • MHRIL targets 10,000 rooms by 2030, up from 5,700.
  • It is exploring new models to become more competitive.
  • It calls the goal “conservative” amid India’s post-COVID tourism boom.
MAHINDRA HOLIDAYS AND Resorts India Ltd., a subsidiary of Mahindra Group, is aiming to have 10,000 rooms by 2030. The company is expanding beyond vacation ownership into the travel and tourism sector, Anish Shah, Mahindra Group CEO and managing director, said in an interview with PTI Videos.

MHRIL, led by Managing Director and CEO Manoj Bhat, had 5,794 keys as of June 30, 2025, and plans to add about 1,000 rooms this fiscal as part of its target to increase its room count to 10,000 by the 2030 fiscal, according to PTI.

Keep ReadingShow less
US Tops India’s Inbound Tourism in 2024
iStock

U.S. led India’s inbound tourism in 2024

Summary:

  • India received 9.95 million foreign tourists in 2024, up from 9.52 million in 2023.
  • U.S. led India’s inbound and outbound travel in 2024 with 1.8 million American visitors.
  • The UAE was the top overseas destination for Indians, hosting 7.7 million travelers.

THE U.S EMERGED as India’s largest inbound tourism market in 2024, sending 1.8 million visitors, according to the India’s Ministry of Tourism. The U.S. also ranked among the top destinations for Indian travelers, welcoming more than 2.1 million visits last year.

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said these figures signal strong momentum in both inbound and outbound travel, The Tribune reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
Marriott & Brigade Plan Six New Hotels Across India
Photo credit: Marriott International

Marriott, Brigade eye six hotels across India

Summary:

  • Marriott and BHVL plan six hotels with 940 rooms in four Indian markets.
  • Bengaluru-based BHVL is a subsidiary of Brigade Enterprises Ltd.
  • BHVL recently launched a $101.2 million IPO, including a $14.4 million pre-IPO placement.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL AND Brigade Hotel Ventures Ltd will open six hotels totaling 940 rooms across four markets in India. The projects will be developed under five Marriott Bonvoy brands: The Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott, Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott and Fairfield by Marriott.

Keep ReadingShow less