Surge in Global Travel by Indians
Gurgaon, Jul 15, 2024: Uber, the global ride-hailing app, has released travel data highlighting a sharp increase in the number of Indians using their services abroad. In 2023, Indian travelers using Uber overseas ranked second only to Americans. This summer season, Indians are expected to break previous records.
Popular Destinations and Travel Trends
According to Uber’s data, nearly a million Indians used the app in close to 1,000 cities across 68 countries last year. Despite the increase in cities visited, the most popular countries for Indian travelers remained consistent: the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
Summer holidays emerged as the peak travel period, coinciding with school and college breaks. In 2023, May was the most popular month for overseas travel, shifting from June in 2022.
Uber’s Role in Overseas Travel
Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia, commented on this trend: “Indians have been breaking all travel records over the past couple of years, and it’s heartwarming to see how Uber continues to be their trusted last-mile partner in these travels. Be it the familiarity when landing at an airport in a new city or the safety when riding late at night, it’s a huge mark of trust for us to see Indians book an Uber for their overseas travels.”
Travel Preferences and Vehicle Choices
While abroad, Indians traveled 25% longer distances in Ubers compared to their trips in India. They also explored various Uber products, including premium electric vehicles like Comfort Electric and multimodal transit options.
Several countries offer peer-to-peer ridesharing, allowing locals to use their personal vehicles for Uber rides, enhancing the gig economy. This resulted in Indian travelers experiencing a range of luxury vehicles such as Porsche Cayenne, Jaguar F PACE, Range Rover Sport, Mercedes S450, BMW 740i M Sport, and Lincoln Navigator.
Premium Electric Vehicles
Indian travelers also enjoyed premium electric vehicles (EVs) during their overseas trips. Some of the notable EVs included Jaguar I PACE, Audi e-tron Sportback, Mercedes EQE 500, and Ford F150 Lightning.
Conclusion
The data from Uber showcases the evolving travel habits of Indians, reflecting a growing trend of exploring the world with the convenience and safety that Uber offers. As Indians continue to travel abroad in record numbers, Uber remains a reliable partner in their journey, providing comfort and familiarity in unfamiliar territories.
