Indian Football fans not holding budget to watch World Cup

As FIFA World Cup fever heats up, travel search site Wego, takes a look at what types of accommodation Indians are considering in Brazil.

“Indians love their football and the whole country is rippled with excitement in anticipation of the first whistle to blow in Brazil,” said Jackson Fernandez, Managing Director of Wego India.

“It’s a long way from India to Brazil so most searches for airfares on Wego for this period have naturally included flights to the US, with connections to South America from there. Accommodation selections have been interesting with the majority (33 per cent) of searches for four star hotels,” he said.

“Indian fans don’t appear to be holding back on their budgets, seemingly happy to enjoy their hotel stays as much as the games,” added Jackson.

Three star accommodations in Brazil was second most popularly searched on Wego India, and both five star and budget accommodation received equal interest at 21 per cent of total searches.

“There is a possibility that these searches are a reflection of the fluctuating rates of Brazilian properties,” Jackson continued. “Travellers are aware that rates will increase due to the World Cup and with rates for a budget hotel at US$30 in June of last year, jumping to an average of US$237 in April this year, travellers can justify paying a bit more for a higher rated property.”

In September 2013, an average rate for a budget hotel peaked at US$476 per night. Three to four star property rates appeared to average out over the last four months to around US$200-300 per night. Luxury five star accommodations hit US$588 per night in March but are now available at around US$330.

More than half of hotel searches (52 per cent) for Brazil on Wego India over the last 12 months took place in October/November 2013, which slowed in December but increased again in January (11 per cent). Searches regained momentum in April and May this year to 20 per cent.

“I’m sure many Indians intent on experiencing the games firsthand would have planned to do so a long time ago but these statistics show that with searches as recent as the last couple of months, many are still considering attending,” concluded Fernandez. “Attending the FIFA World Cup event at any point surely tops many sporting fan’s bucket lists.”