IPL 2024: Travel demand for match venues up by 20-25%; Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bangalore destinations top the chart

The 2024 IPL is boosting travel to Indian cities.

The 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) is significantly boosting travel as fans flock to these cities for match, resulting in crowded stadiums and bustling local economies. The surge in visitors isn't just from within India but also from cricket enthusiasts around the world.

Aloke Bajpai, the head of the travel company ixigo, noted a substantial 20-25% increase in travel bookings to cities hosting the cricket matches. He observed that most of these travel plans are made just a few days ahead of the matches, indicating a trend of last-minute bookings despite the spike in airfare prices. Cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai are seeing the highest number of visitors.

According to Bajpai, the surge in bookings around the match days suggests that many are likely making a quick trip specifically for the games. This trend is bolstered by figures from Thomas Cook India, where there's a reported 25% increase in online searches for travel during the IPL season compared to the previous year. Rajeev Kale, a senior figure at Thomas Cook, shared that the travel isn't just about the cricket; many are also taking the opportunity to explore these cities, often extending their stay.

Mumbai, in particular, is leading in terms of flight and hotel searches for April 2024. Other cities like Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, and Chennai are also popular destinations due to the IPL matches. Certain matches have sparked more interest than others, such as the game in Chennai on March 22, which saw a 33% increase in flight searches compared to the previous month. Likewise, matches in Lucknow and Ahmedabad saw increases of 29% and 14% in flight searches, respectively.

The spike in travel demand doesn't stop with flights; there's also a noticeable increase in hotel bookings and even bus travel as fans look for various ways to reach the venues. With matches pulling in large crowds, local accommodations and transportation options are also feeling the positive effects.

This trend is a clear indicator of how the IPL is more than just a sports event; it's a significant driver of local tourism and commerce. Fans are not only eager to watch the cricket matches but are also keen to soak in the local culture and sights.