Chalo Ayodhya Booms Ahead of Ram Temple Inauguration.
Chalo Ayodhya
As the highly anticipated consecration of the new Ram temple in Chalo Ayodhya draws near, there is a remarkable surge in tourism, marking a significant upswing in travel demand for spiritual destinations. Insights from various industry experts shed light on this unprecedented phenomenon and its profound impact on India’s spiritual tourism landscape.
Data Highlights Unprecedented Surge
Agoda’s recent data analysis reveals an extraordinary surge in travel interest, particularly in Varanasi and Ayodhya, coinciding with the consecration dates. Check-in searches for 20, 21, and 22 January 2024 have witnessed an astronomical increase compared to the previous year. Varanasi experienced over 35 times more searches, while Ayodhya saw a nearly threefold rise, collectively resulting in a fivefold surge in searches for both destinations.
Industry Experts Weigh In
Daniel D’Souza, President & Country Head – Holidays, SOTC Travel, notes a remarkable uptick in demand ahead of the Ram temple’s inauguration. “With the recent announcement on the inauguration of the Ram temple in Chalo Ayodhya, our demand trends indicate increased interest for the destination from customers across segments with an uptick of 150 per cent vs. pre-pandemic,” said D’Souza. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India), highlights the exponential growth in demand for Ayodhya, with data indicating over 300 per cent increase in searches in December vs. October.
Indraneel Dasgupta, CEO and Founder of My Tirth India, anticipates Chalo Ayodhya evolving into a center of knowledge, recognition, tourism, and culture, with a surge in hotel bookings, tourist visits, and infrastructure development.
Shift in Consumer Behavior and Hotel Occupancy
The pandemic-induced shift in traveler perceptions has expanded the demographic for spiritual tourism beyond seniors. Multigenerational families, couples, groups of friends, millennials, and Gen Z are increasingly engaging in spiritual journeys. Accompanying this trend, hotels in spiritual destinations are recording full occupancy, reaching 100% on weekends and holy dates, with average levels standing at 60-80%.
Nishant Pitti, CEO of EaseMyTrip, underscores the monumental impact of the upcoming Ram Temple inauguration on religious tourism, with Ayodhya’s hotels fully booked and experiencing substantial price hikes.
Increase in Vehicle Rentals
Gaurav Aggarwal, CEO of Savaari Car Rentals, reports a 250% surge in bookings to Ayodhya in January and February 2024, reflecting the universal appeal of the event.
Insights on Ayodhya Airport Searches
Gaurav Patwari, Vice President – Air Category at Cleartrip, highlights a threefold increase in searches for Ayodhya airport, emphasizing the growing interest and preparations for the surge in travel.
The surge in tourism ahead of the Ram temple consecration in Ayodhya signifies a profound shift in travel dynamics, with spiritual destinations gaining unprecedented popularity among diverse traveler demographics. As the nation eagerly awaits this historic event, the tourism industry is gearing up to provide memorable experiences for pilgrims and tourists alike, solidifying India’s position as a hub for spiritual and religious tourism.
