In a remarkable surge of international travel, Indians are traveling the world more than ever, reaching nearly 1,000 cities in 68 countries over the past year, according to a new report by Uber. This data shows a substantial rise in Indians using ridesharing apps abroad during 2023, making them the second-largest group of international travelers, just behind Americans. This trend underscores the Global Travel Surge experienced by Indians.

The report emphasizes that summer holidays are the most popular time for Indians to travel, coinciding with school and college breaks. Interestingly, May 2023 was the peak month for overseas travel, surpassing June 2022. "Indians have been breaking all travel records over the past couple of years," said Prabhjeet Singh, President of Uber India and South Asia.

Global Travel Surge
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Indian travelers have shown a tendency to cover more ground while abroad, averaging 25% longer distances per trip compared to their domestic travels. They also experimented with a variety of 21 different Uber products in various countries, including premium electric vehicles like Comfort Electric and multimodal transit options that combine trains and other forms of mass transit, in addition to the ubiquitous UberX.

Top Destinations Amidst the Global Travel Surge

The preferred destinations for Indian tourists remain the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. The report identifies the summer holiday period as the prime time for these trips, with May 2023 beating June 2022 as the most popular travel month. This shift indicates a change in when Indian travelers prefer to take their vacations.

This summer's travel season is expected to see Indians breaking previous travel records again. The report also notes the popularity of peer-to-peer ridesharing in many countries visited by Indians. This trend allows individuals to use their vehicles for Uber rides, reflecting the global appeal of the gig economy and showcasing the adaptability of Indian travelers to various transportation options.

Prabhjeet Singh commented on the trend, stating, "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."

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