Saudi Arabia is the top GCC country visiting India
Saudi Arabia is the most popular GCC country visiting India : According to the numbers, many people from different parts of the world are interested in visiting India, especially those from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Saudi Arabia, Oman, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Qatar were the five most popular destinations. This pattern highlights the strong economic and cultural links between India and these Gulf states. Join Saudi Expatriates channel on WhatsApp for latest updates
In the first half of the year 2024, there was a notable increase in travel interest to India, according to Wego, the top travel app and largest online travel marketplace in the MiddleMiddle East and North Africa region. Searches for international flights to India increased by 40.71 percent year-on-year from January to June 2024, according to statistics from Wego. This increase is more rapid than the same period in 2019 before the epidemic, and it also exceeds the figures from previous year.
The research shows that many different regions, especially those in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, are interested in visiting India. The top five countries sending visitors were Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Qatar, and Oman. This pattern shows the close cultural and economic links that exist between the Gulf states and India.
Following the GCC nations in terms of traveler interest, Bahrain stood out, suggesting that it has strong ties to India. Travellers to India came from all over the world, but the top 10 countries of origin were the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Thailand. Read : 6 types of Holidays and Leaves in Saudi Arabia
Speaking about the findings, Bernard Corraya, General Manager of Wego’s India office, said, “The results of this study suggest a dynamic travel landscape where India remains a key destination for business and leisure travelers from across the world, driven by various factors such as tourism, business ventures, and family-related connections.”
Festive season, Holidays and busiest travel times :
During April and June of 2024, Wego saw a dramatic increase in flight searches going to India. Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are celebrated during these months. A lot of people in the Middle East take advantage of the extended vacations during these celebrations to go on journeys, see family, or see new places.
Indian travel agencies have a fantastic opportunity thanks to the surge in foreign visitors using Wego to search for India. There is a huge increase in the number of foreign tourists interested in experiencing India’s distinct culture, which is great news for the hospitality industry. Most Viewed : Saudi Arabia and Kuwait Railway line is coming soon
The statistics also showed that 42% of all international searches went to India from Saudi Arabia, which is a big deal because it shows how popular travel between the two countries is. Out of all these lines, the ones that caught the Saudis’ attention the most were the ones connecting Riyadh to New Delhi and Riyadh to Lucknow, two of India’s most populous and historically important cities.
Famous destinations :
Around April and June 2024, Wego also noticed an increase in flight searches to major Indian destinations like Kozhikode, New Delhi, Cochin, Lucknow, and Mumbai, which coincided with the surge in searches around Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Additionally, this time frame is closely aligned with the summer school vacations in the GCC nations, making it an ideal window for family vacations. Recommend : 5 cities of Saudi Arabia that hosts FIFA World Cup 2034
