MakeMyTrip report shows top trends in Indian honeymoon travel

As newlyweds seek to make their first trip together unforgettable, MakeMyTrip’s latest report, “How India Travels for Honeymoon,” unveils the evolving preferences of Indian couples. The data, spanning October 2023 to September 2024, reveals significant shifts in destination popularity, travel duration, and spending habits, underscoring a growing demand for unique, luxury experiences.

Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said “As the wedding season in India approaches, the spotlight turns to honeymoon travel—where couples look to craft a truly special, once-in-a-lifetime experience. For the first time, we are sharing unique insights into the distinct booking patterns that set honeymoon travel apart from leisure trips. Our aim is to provide a deeper understanding that will allow us—and the broader travel and wedding ecosystem—to create experiences that are not only romantic and memorable but also aligned with the evolving preferences of today's honeymooners. As couples increasingly seek personalised experiences, luxury, and unexplored destinations, we remain dedicated to delivering a variety of choices and travel planning experience for honeymooners.”

Top destinations: The report highlights a clear trend among international honeymooners, with Thailand emerging as the top choice, overtaking last year’s favourite, the Maldives. Thailand saw a 5.2 per cent  increase in bookings, while Maldives experienced a 16.2 per cent decline. Other sought-after destinations include Indonesia, Mauritius, and Vietnam, each drawing significant interest. On the domestic front, Andaman and Nicobar Islands rose to prominence, replacing Kerala as the most booked destination, with bookings up by 6.9 per cent  year-over-year. Kashmir also gained traction, while destinations like Goa held steady and Himachal Pradesh saw a slight dip.

Preferences: A notable trend in 2023-24 is couples’ preference for extended, multi-city itineraries, especially for international trips. Over 47 per cent  of couples opted for itineraries spanning two or more cities, up from 32 per cent  the previous year. On the domestic front, 39 per cent  of couples visited four or more cities, reflecting an interest in exploring varied locales within a single trip. Additionally, the average travel duration for international honeymoons extended beyond five days for 42 per cent  of couples, signalling a shift toward longer, immersive experiences.

The rising demand: Indian honeymooners are increasingly willing to invest in luxury, with 68 per cent  of newlyweds choosing four-star or higher accommodations, a 10 per cent rise in five-star bookings year-over-year. The average spending per couple grew by 13 per cent , driven by a desire for personalised, high-end experiences. This trend is further supported by a 56 per cent  increase in bookings for premium activities, including romantic dinners, couples’ photoshoots, and luxury cruises. More than 95 per cent of honeymoon packages included curated experiences tailored to make the journey memorable.

Last minute booking: While many couples booked closer to departure, with 56 per cent  of domestic and 38 per cent  of international packages reserved within 30 days, a significant portion of international travellers (31 per cent) planned well in advance, booking more than two months ahead. Survey data from MakeMyTrip also indicates that 70 per cent  of couples began their honeymoon within 10 days post-wedding, while a smaller percentage preferred to delay their trip for a more relaxed timeline.