Hospitality gets a 'spiritual' boost with 19% rise in pilgrimage bookings: MakeMyTrip report

Pilgrimage tourism is rapidly becoming a key growth driver for India’s travel and hospitality sector, with accommodation bookings across 56 spiritual destinations rising 19% in FY25, according to a report by online travel company MakeMyTrip.

The Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25 report revealed that while 34 destinations recorded double-digit growth, 15 saw bookings increase by over 25%. Traditional hubs such as Varanasi, Ayodhya, Amritsar, and Tirupati continue to lead, while newer centres like Khatushyam Ji, Omkareshwar, and Thiruchendur are gaining popularity, expanding the country’s spiritual travel map.

Rising demand is driving significant capacity expansion. Over one-third of hotel rooms in pilgrimage destinations were launched in the past three years, with homestays and premium properties growing even faster. Premiumisation is evident, with bookings for rooms above ₹7,000 increasing by more than 20%.

Travellers are favouring short, purpose-driven trips, with 53% of visits being single-night stays. Group travel remains higher (47%) compared to leisure tourism, reflecting the collective nature of pilgrimage journeys, often undertaken by families, friends, and community groups. Nearly two-thirds of bookings are made within a week of travel, highlighting a strong trend of last-minute bookings.

Interestingly, 52% of holiday packages booked on the platform were for pilgrimage-only trips, while 48% combined spiritual travel with leisure, indicating a rising trend of blending devotion with recreation.

While most bookings (71%) are for rooms below ₹4,500 per night, the demand for premium accommodation is rising. In FY24-25, bookings for rooms priced ₹7,000–10,000 grew 24%, and those above ₹10,000 grew 23%. Alternative stays such as homestays and apartments now account for nearly 10% of room-night bookings in pilgrimage destinations.

Rajesh Magow, co-founder and group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said, “Pilgrimage travel has always been part of our culture, but what we see now is its scale and consistency across the country. Better connectivity and rising demand across age and income groups are prompting the industry to innovate to serve pilgrim travellers more effectively.”