For Indian travellers, holidays are no longer just an escape but a source of joy and renewal. With 66%* seeking travel to boost their mood, 58%* opting for short domestic trips, and 36%* choosing short international getaways, Booking.com’s latest search trends highlight where Indians dreamt of travelling in H1 2025.
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com said, “The evolving mindset of Indian travellers highlights a fascinating mix of global curiosity and local pride. Whether it’s a short-haul international break closer to home or a quick domestic escape, we’re seeing Indians choose destinations that align with their lifestyle aspirations, wellness goals and cultural curiosity. This shift underlines the opportunity ahead, with 84% of Indian travellers feeling optimistic about travel in 2025, we at Booking.com remain committed to supporting this momentum by making it easier for travellers to book every element of their journey, from stays and flights to attractions and transport, all in one seamless experience.”
From Cities to Countryside: Where Indians Were Headed
Bengaluru, Mumbai and New Delhi top the list of most-searched domestic destinations, driven by business trips, family visits and quick weekend getaways. Leisure hotspots like Ooty, Rishikesh, Lonavala, Jaipur and Puducherry also remain popular, with Rishikesh and Puducherry recording 25% y-o-y growth in searches, reflecting rising interest in wellness, nature and cultural experiences.
Top searched domestic destinations on Booking.com by Indian travellers between Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025)**
- Bengaluru
- Mumbai
- New Delhi
- Ooty
- Rishikesh
- Chennai
- Lonavala
- Hyderabad
- Jaipur
- Puducherry
APAC Hotspots Continue to Attract Indian Travellers
Internationally, Dubai leads as the most-searched destination with a 62% y-o-y rise, while Tokyo entered the top five with a 90% surge in searches, driven by its seasonal attractions and cultural experiences. Intra-APAC travel remains strong, with 8 of the top 10 destinations; Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket and Bali; showcasing the appeal of short-haul, culture-rich, and visa-friendly getaways.
Top searched international destinations on Booking.com by Indian travellers between Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025)
- Dubai
- Singapore
- Bangkok
- London
- Tokyo
- Paris
- Kuala Lumpur
- Phuket
- Bali
- Abu Dhabi
The Broader APAC Context
Indian travel patterns align with a broader regional trend of balancing local getaways with international adventures in H1 2025.
- Japan remains top of mind for travellers across APAC, attracting strong interest both internationally and domestically. South Korea and Thailand follow closely, continuing to be among the region’s most sought-after destinations.
- Intra-regional travel is on the rise reflecting a balance between local pride and international curiosity. Even as APAC travellers explore regional options, homegrown destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney and Tokyo hold the top spots in their respective markets.
- The data further underscores APAC’s persistent appetite for intra-regional travel. All but one of the top ten most searched destinations per market were located within APAC – the exceptions being London and Paris, which broke into India’s and Hong Kong’s list. For most, proximity, cultural familiarity and convenience continued to shape travel decisions.
Methodology
Research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who had taken a leisure trip in the last 12 months with an overnight stay and plan to travel in 2025. The sample comprised 32,106 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January 2025. USA N=2,000, Canada N=800, Spain N=800, Italy N=800, France N=1800, UK N=1800, Germany N=1800, Netherlands N=800, Denmark N=500, Sweden N=500, Croatia N=501, Switzerland N=800, Belgium N=800, Ireland N=504, Austria N=500, Portugal N=800, Mexico N=1,800, Colombia N=800, Brazil N=1,800, Argentina N=800, India N=1,800, China N=800, Hong Kong N=500, Thailand N=800, Singapore N=800, Taiwan N=500, Vietnam N=800, South Korea N=800, Japan N=1,800, UAE N=500, Australia N=1,800, New Zealand N=500.
Searches made by travellers from India between Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025).
Based on searches made by travellers from each APAC destination (Vietnam, Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Malaysia) between Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 for stay dates Jan 1 2025 – Jun 30 2025 (H1 2025).
