New Delhi: Air India Express has inaugurated direct flights from Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi, marking a historic moment as the first international service from the city. This new service, departing from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) at 3:25 PM on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arrives in Abu Dhabi at 6:00 PM. This direct connection not only improves travel between Bengaluru and Abu Dhabi but also provides convenient options for passengers from multiple Indian cities.

This new route introduces significant opportunities for travelers from cities such as Ayodhya, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kolkata, Lucknow, Pune, and Visakhapatnam. Passengers from these cities can now connect to Abu Dhabi through easy one-stop itineraries via Bengaluru. This advancement significantly enhances the accessibility and convenience of international travel for many regions across India.

Air India Express’ initiative to launch this route highlights the increasing demand for international travel from Bengaluru. By offering direct flights to Abu Dhabi, the airline aims to meet the needs of both business and leisure travelers. The schedule is thoughtfully designed to accommodate travelers, ensuring timely arrivals and departures for smooth connections and minimized travel time.

This new route is expected to strengthen business ties and tourism between India and the United Arab Emirates. With Abu Dhabi being a major business hub and tourist destination, Indian travelers will find it more accessible, potentially increasing visitor flow and fostering stronger economic and cultural ties between the two regions.

Additionally, the convenience of one-stop itineraries from various Indian cities via Bengaluru is likely to attract more passengers. This streamlined connectivity makes reaching Abu Dhabi easier, positioning Air India Express as a preferred choice for many travelers.

In conclusion, the new direct flight service from Bengaluru to Abu Dhabi by Air India Express represents a significant leap in international connectivity. It enhances travel convenience, opens new avenues for business and tourism, and strengthens ties between India and the UAE. This strategic move by Air India Express is set to benefit a wide range of travelers and contribute positively to the growth of international travel from India.

Ms. Jayashri Bhoj, Secretary Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “This fair presents an exceptional opportunity to start new trade relationships with regional and global partners. The event will feature the participation of 16 esteemed tourism companies from Maharashtra offering the entire spectrum of Tourism services including tours, hotels, transports, etc.”

Dr. B. R. Patil, Director, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said, “Maharashtra Tourism will showcase how it has been embarking on an unprecedented journey across India to establish a dynamic platform that enables traders to feature their products and also promote tourism in Maharashtra. Maharashtra Tourism has been focusing upon doing a series of events that include conclaves, road shows and trade fairs. In the process, DoT is been participating at different key tourism trade fairs across the country.”

Speaking about the exclusive platform, Ms. Madhumati Sardesai, Deputy Director, Nashik Division, Directorate of Tourism, Government of Maharashtra said “India is leaving its footprints on the global map in may sectors today. Tourism is one of the focused sectors of India’s endeavours to be the 5 trillion economy. Post G-20, tourism sector has grabbed the global attention like never before. This is the time, when we want to project the state of Maharashtra as a wholesome destination; boasting upon its cultural, historical and landscape heritage”.

Data from the report reveals that film and entertainment has a significant influence on Indian travellers, with 94% of them inclined to taking a trip to a destination they’ve seen on the big or small screen. Moreover, close to half (43%) of the respondents rate the overall ‘vibe’ of a destination as important, when choosing where to go in 2024.

In 2024, Indian travelers are embracing the “set-jetting” trend, seeking to immerse themselves in the iconic locations of their favorite shows and embodying the “Main Character Energy.” Manali, India, inspired by “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani,” tops the list as the most desired destination for Indian travelers. Ladakh, featured in “3 Idiots,” follows closely behind. London, inspired by “The Crown,” and Paris, reminiscent of “Emily in Paris,” also rank high. Skyscanner noted a 23% increase in searches from India to Paris in January 2023 following the launch of season 3 of the show.

Just like Main Character Energy, Skyscanner data shows how the value of experiences is fuelling a range of other travel trends and vibes for 2024, with price no longer solely ruling decision-making:

• Gig tripping – In 2024, 37% of Indian travelers would fly short-haul for a live concert, and 79% would consider attending an overseas concert to save money.
• Budget bougie foodies – Indian travelers have a strong affinity for food, with 59% booking trips based on restaurants they want to visit. Osaka, known as ‘the kitchen of Japan’ and ranking fourth globally for cities with the most Michelin stars, is the top choice for foodies on a budget in 2024 and a trending destination among Indian travelers.
• Destination Zzzz – Citing it as one of the top activities for their next holiday, Indian travellers really just want to visit the realm of sleep in 2024. Sleep health generally is a hot topic and 85% of Indian travellers are more mindful of their sleep health today compared to a few years ago. Moreover, 66% of Indian travellers have reported experiencing improved sleep quality during their holidays.

The rise of short-haul destinations

Indian travellers have an appetite for short-haul travel, with 6 out of the top 10 trending destinations close by cities. Famous for its beaches, Da Nang comes out on top. They’re searching for Krabi and Mahe too, highlighting the appetite for relaxation and sunshine. Far-flung destinations remain popular for Indian travellers too, with Osaka and Auckland trending. As a top foodie destination, Japan continues to make a comeback after reopening last year.

The importance of value

Value for money remains a key factor for Indian travellers, with the cost of the flight (26%) and attractions (18%) being the biggest factors determining the destination. However, 63% of Indian travellers have budgeted to spend more on travel in 2024 compared to 2023, while 25% will spend the same. Only 7% have said they’ll spend less. Over the past 12 months, flights to Nice in France have fallen by over a third, followed closely by Geneva and Tokyo. Travellers looking for a cultural holiday should consider Manama, which has dropped in price by 24%, while Baku is now 22% cheaper.