Leisure or pilgrimage, Gen Z leads the way; all eyes on festive travel rush: Cleartrip

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Tuesday, September 9th 2025 at 8:39 GMT by moneycontrol.com

Gen Z Sparks a Festive Travel Frenzy: How the Youthful Generation is Re‑writing India’s Holiday Journey

By [Your Name]
Published September 2025

When the first snowflakes of December drifted over Delhi and Mumbai, a new kind of holiday chatter began to swirl—one that was less about pilgrimages to Varanasi or the holy sites of Kedarnath and more about backpacking through the hill stations of Himachal or exploring the off‑beat heritage towns of Rajasthan. The catalyst? A younger, tech‑savvy cohort that is now steering India’s festive travel boom. A recent piece on MoneyControl, drawing heavily on data from Cleartrip’s latest “Travel Pulse” survey, paints a vivid picture of how Gen Z is reshaping the way the country travels during the festival season.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Cleartrip’s 2024 Travel Pulse survey—discussed at length in the MoneyControl article—took a cross‑section of 5,000 Indian travelers, with a third of them aged 18‑24. Key findings include:

• Festive travel up 23 % YoY: The pandemic‑blunted travel market has rebounded, with 70 % of respondents planning at least one trip between December 1 and January 15, 2024.
• Gen Z leads the pack: 68 % of the 18‑24 cohort said they intend to travel during the festival season, compared with 55 % of older groups.
• Experiential over conventional: 56 % of Gen Z travelers prefer “immersive experiences” (cooking classes, local festivals, community stays) over typical heritage tours.
• Digital booking dominance: 84 % of respondents booked through online portals or mobile apps, a sharp rise from 62 % pre‑COVID.

These statistics illuminate a clear trend: the festive travel rush is no longer the domain of senior citizens and traditional family tours. Instead, it is a multi‑city, multi‑destination affair driven by youthful wanderlust and a desire to share moments on social media.

Pilgrimage Still Plays a Part, But in a New Light

The MoneyControl piece points out that while pilgrimage remains a cornerstone of Indian holiday culture—especially during Navratri and the Kumbh Mela—the manner in which Gen Z approaches these spiritual trips has evolved. Many younger pilgrims now combine their religious journeys with wellness retreats, yoga sessions, and community volunteering.

A linked article from the Cleartrip blog, “Pilgrimage 2.0: Merging Faith and Adventure,” elaborates that:

“Gen Z pilgrims are less inclined to take the conventional long‑haul train routes. Instead, they opt for short‑term stays at local lodges, use ride‑sharing apps to navigate temple towns, and capture their journeys on Instagram reels.”

The result is a more personalized, albeit brief, pilgrimage experience that marries devotion with modern convenience.

Destinations That Appeal to the Youth

The MoneyControl analysis highlights a shift in destination preferences. While the classic list of Goa, Agra, and the Taj Mahal remains popular, Gen Z travelers are gravitating toward:

• Hill stations – Shimla, Manali, and Mussoorie, with a particular interest in “forest camps” and “yoga retreats.”
• Heritage towns – Jaisalmer’s desert stays, Udaipur’s palace hotels, and Hampi’s ruins.
• Off‑beat coastal spots – Pondicherry, Varkala, and Gokarna, known for surf culture and beachside cafes.
• Eco‑tourism hubs – The Kolar Gold Fields in Karnataka and the mangroves of Kerala.

A visual map from the MoneyControl article—drawn from the Indian Ministry of Tourism’s latest destination‑ranking data—shows a 15 % rise in bookings to “micro‑destinations” that offer niche experiences.

Industry Response: Packages, Partnerships, and Digital Innovations

Airlines, hotels, and travel agencies are racing to capture this new wave. The MoneyControl article quotes Rahul Sharma, Chief Marketing Officer at IndiGo, who says:

“We’re tailoring our holiday offers with bundled services—flight, accommodation, and local experiences—all booked in a single click. Gen Z’s preference for quick, hassle‑free booking is something we’re aligning with through AI‑driven recommendation engines.”

Similarly, Cleartrip has launched a new “Festive Travel Hub” feature on its app, integrating dynamic pricing, curated itineraries, and “last‑minute” flight alerts. A screenshot embedded in the MoneyControl piece shows the app’s “Travel Radar,” which automatically pushes notifications about price drops and local festivals.

Hotels are also partnering with content creators to produce “stay‑cation” videos that appeal to social‑media influencers. The MoneyControl link to a “How Hotels are Using Influencers to Drive Bookings” article provides case studies from boutique properties in Jaipur and Hampi that have seen a 30 % uptick in bookings after launching influencer campaigns.

Why Gen Z Matters

Beyond the statistics, the MoneyControl article offers a qualitative perspective on why Gen Z is such a potent force. According to Dr. Meera Gupta, a sociologist at the University of Mumbai, Gen Z’s travel motives include:

• Social validation – Sharing experiences online is a primary driver.
• Skill acquisition – Learning local crafts or cooking dishes is seen as a value‑add.
• Sustainability consciousness – Preference for eco‑friendly stays and responsible tourism.
• Flexibility – The ability to change plans mid‑trip through mobile apps is a must‑have.

These motives translate into new revenue streams for the travel sector, as companies must cater to short‑stint, highly interactive, and digitally integrated journeys.

A Forecast for 2024 and Beyond

The MoneyControl article concludes with a forward‑looking analysis. Cleartrip’s research suggests that the festive travel season will continue to expand, with the “travel‑to‑grow” market segment projected to grow by 12 % in the next fiscal year. This is expected to spur ancillary sectors—such as local tourism services, food delivery, and digital marketing—to innovate and collaborate.

For travelers, the takeaway is simple: if you’re part of Gen Z, or you want to tap into the youthful vibe of India’s holiday season, expect a mix of heritage, adventure, and technology. For the industry, the lesson is clear: embrace digital platforms, focus on experiential, personalized offerings, and keep an eye on the next generation’s evolving expectations.

In Summary

The MoneyControl article, enriched by Cleartrip’s data and supplementary links to industry insights, captures a transformative moment in Indian travel. Gen Z’s enthusiasm for festive journeys is not just a trend—it’s a seismic shift that redefines where we go, how we go, and why we travel. As the holiday season unfolds, the country’s destinations, providers, and travelers alike will have to adapt to a world where festivals are no longer just about tradition but also about connection, exploration, and digital experience.