Cricket fans pad up to visit India for T-20 Cricket World Cup: Skyscanner reveals
Australia emerges as the biggest cricket fans with a 107% YoY increase in flight searches
New Delhi, March 2, 2016: While India is burning with the T-20 World Cup fever, fans from across the globe are not far behind in showing their support for their favourite team! Data from leading travel search engine Skyscanner recorded a 25% YoY increase in searches to first-time host country India from March 8 to April 3, 2016.
“Over the years, we have seen a rise in sports tourism with fans travelling across continents in support of their favourite sporting events. This growth has been accelerated with favourable initiatives by the government, including the introduction of the e-Visa facility being available to countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, Netherlands, Oman and the United Kingdom. While Australia overshadows other participating cricket countries with a 107% YoY increase in flight searches, it is encouraging to see supporters of debut team Oman in the running with a 30% YoY increase.” said Ravish Doctor, Manager – Growth Strategy, Skyscanner India.
| PARTICIPATING COUNTRIES | GROWTH IN TRAVEL SEARCHES DURING WORLD CUP TO INDIA* |
| Australia | 107% |
| New Zealand | 64% |
| Ireland | 58% |
| South Africa | 50% |
| Zimbabwe | 49% |
| Netherlands | 42% |
| Oman | 30% |
| United Kingdom | 28% |
| Hong Kong | 17% |
While South Africa may have lost their No.1 ranking, fans are showing their support with a 50% YoY increase in flight searches recorded. The supporters of qualifier teams such as Ireland (58%), Netherlands (42%), Oman (30%) and Hong Kong (17%) are also streaming into India for the highly anticipated event in the international cricket calendar.
The month of March will also offer a unique opportunity for travellers visiting India at the peak of the cricket hysteria. Fans will also be able to relish in the winter sun and cool winds of host cities whilst discovering nearby places around these iconic cricket stadiums.
| Host Cities | Nearby places to explore |
| Dharamshala | McLeodganj, Dharamkot, Palampur |
| Delhi | Agra, Jaipur, Corbett, Landsowne |
| Mumbai | Lonavala, Khandala, Alibag, Nashik |
| Kolkata | Sikkim, Sundarbans |
| Mohali | Shimla, Kasauli, Amritsar, Chail |
| Chennai | Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry, Yercaud, Nandi Hills |
| Nagpur | Pench National Park, Pachmarhi, Adilabad, Bhedaghat |
| Bangalore | Nandi Hills, Gokarna, Coorg |
*The percentage increase in searches from these destinations to India were performed for December 1, 2015 to February 20, 2016 for the travel period between March 1, 2016 to April 3, 2016, as compared to December 1, 2014 to February 20, 2015 for the travel period between March 1, 2015 to April 3, 2015
