IPL Drives the Surge in Tourism, Despite Rising Travel Costs

Despite the steep rise in hotel rates and airfares, tour operators are experiencing a growing appetite for cricket tourism, particularly during the Indian Premier League (IPL) and other sporting events. In a remarkable testament to the popularity of sports-related events, travel operators are already receiving inquiries for the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India from individuals, groups, and corporate entities.

Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head of Holidays, MICE told Mint that Visa for Thomas Cook India Ltd is the first time since the pandemic that IPL matches are being played across India. As a result, the company has witnessed a surge in demand of over 60-70% for travel to match venues for both April and May, compared to the previous year. Kale emphasized that this increased demand is not limited to cricket enthusiasts alone; numerous corporate entities are also sending their employees to attend the matches. Thomas Cook's data  also indicates high demand for IPL match destinations such as Lucknow, Hyderabad, Mohali, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Guwahati, Kolkata, Mumbai, Jaipur, Dharamshala, and Chennai.

Majority of Travel Booking Platforms Experience Increase in Bookings

Other prominent units in the travel industry, have also witnessed significant growth, with travel demand increasing by 30% to 40% compared to the previous season. Companies have already started receiving queries for the upcoming Cricket World Cup set to take place

The enthusiasm for cricket travel extends beyond specific companies, as online travel agency Booking.com is also observing spikes in bookings for sporting events. Athletes, their teams, and sports enthusiasts contribute to the increased travel demand for these events. Ixigo, another aggregator, has seen a significant month-on-month increase in bookings and search queries for IPL host cities such as Mohali, Chennai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Kolkata. 

Notably, Guwahati experienced a 40% rise in bookings, while Mohali saw a 25% increase. Aloke Bajpai, Co-founder and Group Chief Executive of Le Travenues Technology Ltd, which owns Ixigo while in conversation with Mint said, ‘The overall surge in flight bookings in April, driven by two extended long weekends. Families are opting for mini breaks, leading to a rise in bulk bookings.”

Despite the surge in hotel rates and airfares, cricket tourism is experiencing a significant upswing in demand. The IPL matches being played across India for the first time since the pandemic has sparked a surge of interest, with travel operators witnessing a substantial increase in inquiries and bookings. With the upcoming Cricket World Cup in India, the demand for cricket-related travel is expected to soar even higher, attracting fans and corporate entities alike. The travel industry is embracing this trend, offering tailored experiences and services to cater to the growing appetite for sports tourism in the country.