Here are the 10 key points about Indian travel trends in 2025:
- Mindful Travel: Indians are increasingly seeking meaningful experiences, focusing on sustainability, wellness, and cultural immersion.
- AI for Planning: Artificial Intelligence is becoming a key tool for Indian travelers, helping with itinerary planning, booking, and destination research.
- Layovers as Mini-Vacations: Layovers are turning into fun opportunities, with airports offering amenities like spas, Michelin-star restaurants, and free city tours.
- Music and Concert Tourism: Live music events are influencing travel plans, with many Indians planning trips around concerts and music festivals.
- Offbeat Destinations: Indians are exploring lesser-known destinations, avoiding crowded spots like Goa in favor of more unique, authentic locations.
- Sustainability: There’s a growing preference for eco-friendly and sustainable travel options, with a focus on reducing environmental impact.
- Wellness Travel: More travelers are prioritizing wellness, including longevity retreats and health-focused getaways.
- Event-Driven Travel: People are planning trips around specific events, such as cultural festivals, sports events, and concerts.
- Technology Integration: AI, smart booking platforms, and tech-driven travel experiences are increasingly being integrated into travel planning.
- International and Domestic Hotspots: Emerging destinations like Shillong, Almaty, Tokyo, and Tbilisi are gaining popularity among Indian travelers, as well as traditional favorites like Dubai and Singapore.
Travel Trends for Indians in 2025: What’s Changing?
The way Indians travel is changing, with new trends shaping their preferences and choices. Travelers are moving beyond typical vacation spots, seeking unique, immersive, and responsible travel experiences. Based on insights from travel experts and reports, here are the key trends defining Indian travel in 2025.
1. Mindful and Sustainable Travel
Indians are becoming more conscious of their impact on the environment and local cultures. Instead of just sightseeing, travelers now want to engage with destinations in a more meaningful way.
Also Read: Global Tourism Trends in India: What Travelers Are Looking for
Key Factors Driving This Trend:
- Eco-conscious escapes: Travelers prefer sustainable stays, eco-lodges, and carbon-neutral experiences.
- Wellness over luxury: More people are choosing wellness retreats, yoga retreats, and longevity-focused vacations.
- Health-first mindset: A Skyscanner survey found that 70% of Indian travelers prioritize wellness while traveling.
This trend highlights the shift from indulgence to mindful exploration, ensuring that travel is not just a getaway but also a way to rejuvenate physically and mentally.
2. AI-Powered Itinerary Planning
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing travel planning, making it faster and more efficient. AI tools are helping travelers make informed decisions and optimize their trips.
AI’s Role in Travel Planning:
- Personalized recommendations: AI analyzes preferences and offers customized trip plans.
- Effortless booking: 84% of Indian travelers feel confident using AI for travel bookings.
- Smart research: 52% use AI for destination research, 50% for flight bookings, and 48% for comparing travel options.
With AI-powered assistants like Google Bard and ChatGPT, travel planning is becoming easier, allowing travelers to get curated itineraries instantly.
3. Layovers Turning into Mini-Holidays
Layovers are no longer just long waiting hours at the airport. In 2025, airlines and airports are transforming stopovers into travel experiences.
How Layovers Are Becoming Exciting:
- Free city tours & accommodations: Major airports like Istanbul, Doha, and Dubai now offer free layover stays and discounted tours.
- Unique airport experiences: Sleep pods, spas, Michelin-starred restaurants, and entertainment hubs are making airports a destination themselves.
- Increased excitement for stopovers: 34% of travelers are choosing destinations based on airports, while 60% want airports with diverse entertainment options.
With social media amplifying airport experiences (e.g., Changi Airport’s indoor waterfall going viral), layovers are no longer seen as wasted time but as an additional travel opportunity.
4. Music & Concert Tourism in India
Live music and festivals are becoming a major reason for travel, with Indians exploring destinations based on concerts and events.
Why Concert Travel Is Growing:
- More international artists touring India: In 2024, bands like Coldplay and Cigarettes After Sex performed in India, and 2025 is set to welcome artists like Shawn Mendes and Big Boi.
- Experiential travel is in demand: Instead of just sightseeing, travelers are planning trips around live performances.
- Rise of festival tourism: Large-scale music festivals and cultural events are attracting both domestic and international tourists.
With entertainment and travel merging, people are planning trips around events, making concerts an integral part of the travel experience.
Also Read: 12 Best Destinations to Visit for Every Month in India
5. Offbeat & Seasonal Travel
Indians are moving away from crowded tourist hubs, preferring lesser-known destinations that offer unique experiences.
Why Offbeat Travel Is Gaining Popularity:
- Avoiding peak season crowds: Travelers are choosing alternative destinations to avoid tourist rush.
- DINK & remote worker influence: Dual Income No Kids (DINK) couples and remote workers are taking advantage of flexible schedules to explore during off-peak times.
- Authentic cultural experiences: Instead of Goa, travelers are opting for Gokarna or Karwar for quieter beaches and local culture.
For instance, instead of visiting Europe in the summer, many travelers now prefer autumn or spring when destinations are less crowded and more affordable.
Top 10 Travel Destinations for Indians in 2025
Based on the latest travel reports, these destinations are expected to be among the most popular for Indian travelers this year:
- Shillong, India – A scenic retreat in the Northeast with waterfalls and music festivals.
- Almaty, Kazakhstan – Emerging as a budget-friendly adventure spot.
- Tokyo, Japan – A mix of futuristic experiences and traditional culture.
- Seoul, South Korea – Rising in popularity due to K-pop and Korean dramas.
- Singapore – A timeless favorite for Indian families and first-time international travelers.
- Baku, Azerbaijan – An affordable and lesser-explored European destination.
- Langkawi, Malaysia – A tropical paradise with beautiful beaches.
- Tbilisi, Georgia – Visa-friendly and full of rich history.
- Tromsø, Norway – Ideal for those chasing the Northern Lights.
- Dubai, UAE – A city that never goes out of style, offering shopping, adventure, and luxury.
These destinations reflect Indian travelers’ growing appetite for offbeat, experiential, and wellness-oriented trips.
Final Thoughts:
Indian travel in 2025 is becoming more personalized, immersive, and experience-driven. With a focus on sustainability, AI-powered planning, unique layovers, concert-driven trips, and offbeat destinations, travelers are looking for richer, more fulfilling journeys.
Whether it’s mindful travel, AI-enhanced planning, or exploring new places, 2025 promises a dynamic shift in how Indians explore the world.
Also Read: Global Travel Sees 9% Growth in 2024, Driven by Indian Travelers
Check Latest Stories:
