2025 is nearing its end, making it the perfect time to reflect on the year gone by. For many, the year's highlights include memorable travel experiences - whether it was an adventurous solo escape, a family getaway, a culinary exploration, or simply a lazy resort retreat. While the preferences may vary, Indian travel in 2025 reveals one clear pattern - the domestic travel landscape is evolving in fascinating ways.
The Rise Of The New Indian Traveller
According to the How India Travels 2025 report by Booking.com, this evolution is being shaped by a new generation of planners and influencers who are redefining how Indians explore their own country:
Women Take The Lead In Travel Planning
One of the most defining shifts is the rise of women as "trip architects." The report notes that 73% of respondents say women (aged 26-55) now drive decisions around destination selection, budgeting, and itinerary planning. Their focus lies on safety, flexibility, and culturally rich experiences - taking ownership of the entire travel journey from start to finish.
Also Read: Top 7 Travel Trends That Are Going To Rule 2026, As Per Report
Teens With A Say: The Next-Gen Veto Power
It's not just adults influencing travel choices. The study highlights how children under 15 are increasingly becoming key decision-makers in family trips. From hotel selection to daily activities, this young cohort often holds "veto power" in shaping where and how families travel.
Millennials Celebrate Milestones With Meaning
Travellers aged 28-43 are gravitating towards shorter, themed getaways - celebrating milestones through experiences focused on wellness, food, and nature. They prefer thoughtfully designed stays that balance privacy with "snackable luxury," and they value flexible payment options and loyalty benefits that enhance convenience.
Spiritual And Heritage Travel Among Seniors
Older travellers (60 and above) are not slowing down either. The report notes that they are increasingly exploring destinations that help them reconnect with spirituality, culture, and heritage - making travel a meaningful medium for rediscovery and reflection.
Also Read: Indians Are Planning To Visit These Top 10 Destinations In 2026, Report Shows
When The Stay Becomes The Destination: Highlight Of 2025
Perhaps the most striking transformation that emerged in 2025 travel trends is how the accommodation itself has become the main attraction. Around 80% of Indian travellers say they plan to spend most of their time at their property - far exceeding the global average of 51%.
This has prompted hotels and homestays to focus on creating memorable, on-site experiences rather than merely providing rooms. From art pop-ups and book readings to wellness sessions and spiritual workshops, properties are evolving into self-contained destinations that offer discovery and tranquillity in equal measure.
Notably, non-room revenue - particularly from F&B, events, and curated experiences - now accounts for nearly 50% of earnings in the premium hospitality segment.
AI And The Tech-Enabled Traveller
Indian travellers are also showing high receptivity towards AI and emerging technologies. Over half of them are already using AI tools for trip planning. According to the report, 83% see AI as a way to simplify travel, 82% use it to avoid overcrowded destinations, and 80% appreciate how it can suggest community-positive experiences.
Preparing For 5.2 Billion Domestic Trips By 2030
With over 5.2 billion domestic trips expected by 2030, the report suggests the travel and hospitality industry to innovate further. This includes expanding accommodation options in emerging cities, investing in sustainable tourism, and leveraging digital tools for better traveller engagement.
"Over the past decade, domestic tourism has grown - not just in volume - but also in character; signaling a shift from mere sightseeing to experience-seeking. We are actively working to ensure smaller towns are seamlessly linked, creating comprehensive destination infrastructure through Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD," said Sh. Suman Billa, Director General, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India.
Methodology Of The Study
The How India Travels 2025 report is based on a quantitative study conducted in August 2025, surveying 3,022 respondents from tier-I, II, and III Indian cities. The sample was evenly spread across five age groups - Gen Z to baby boomers - and was carried out by Accenture in collaboration with Booking.com to understand the evolving mindset of modern Indian domestic travellers.
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