“One in every three Indian travellers searched and booked a premium or luxury property during the pandemic – wherein, the average room per night cost was anywhere between INR 13,000 to INR 15,000.”
— Vipul Prakash, MakeMyTrip Chief Operating Officer
Online travel services MakeMyTrip has seen almost a 150 per cent increase in bookings for super-luxury and premium hotels during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. MakeMyTrip Chief Operating Officer Vipul Prakash said that one in every three Indian travellers searched and booked a premium or luxury property during the pandemic – wherein, the average room per night cost was anywhere between INR 13,000 to INR 15,000, according to from the online platform.
Prakash was quoted by ToI saying that the “appetite for luxury stays and hotels was always strong amongst Indian travellers. However, the pandemic has brought along an accelerated progression towards premium, super-premium and luxury properties. It is interesting to note people from non-metros are also warming up to the idea of rejuvenating or holidaying at a luxury stay”.
According to Prakash, bookings for luxury stays went up by almost 90 per cent post the first wave and nearly 40 per cent more following the second wave last year – indicating a perceptible shift in traveller preferences towards seeking elite travel experiences. “We have witnessed a near 150 per cent increase in bookings for super-luxury and premium hotels during the pandemic as compared to the pre-pandemic period,” Prakash said.
MakeMyTrip has seen 30 per cent more in bookings for luxury properties from Tier II, III and beyond markets. Amongst the list of top destinations searched and booked by luxury seekers includes Jaipur, Udaipur, Coorg, Goa, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
“Through Luxe Selection, we aim to enhance the visibility and discoverability of luxurious properties across the country – by bringing them all under one platform. We hope to make Luxe Selection the first port for searching and booking luxury stays amongst discerning Indian travellers.”
Along with the demand for luxury stays, the supply of new luxury properties also picked an upwards trajectory – with inventory coming in from Tier I, II and III markets. In order to leverage the trend, the company said it launched its Luxe Selection, a thematic collection of nearly 300 super-premium and luxury properties. “Through Luxe Selection, we aim to enhance the visibility and discoverability of luxurious properties across the country – by bringing them all under one platform. We hope to make Luxe Selection the first port for searching and booking luxury stays amongst discerning Indian travellers,” Prakash said.
Under its Luxe Selection, packages including spa, airport transfers, happy hours, room upgrades, early check-ins and late check-outs, recreational activities, such as nature or plantation walks, bird watching and yoga sessions, are offered.
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