Booking.com’s ‘How India Travels in 2025’ report shows Indian travelers prioritize stay as a holiday experience, EttravelWorld

Booking.com’s ‘How India Travels in 2025’ report reveals: India is a vacation for travelers

Booking.com, one of the world’s leading online travel platforms, in partnership with Accenture, has launched the third edition of its flagship How India is Doing 2025 report. The findings point to a definite shift in domestic travel behavior—Indian travelers now view accommodation as a destination.

According to the report, nearly four out of five Indian travelers want unconventional and experimental stays, making hotels, home and boutique properties the centerpiece of their trip. It marks a movement from an operation to experiential-led research studies where travelers choose an immersive, sparse and digitally shared sense of stay.

The New Indian Traveller: Redefine Value and Goals
In the report, reshaping the landscape, from “journey architects” to women aged 26-55, how many of the “next gen pilots” (under 15 years old pilots “(under 15 years old pilots” (under 15 years old) “(under 15 years old)” (under 15 years old) “(under 15 years old)” (up to 15 years old) “(under 15 years old))) “Undeclared researchers” In the 30s, “Timeless travelers” (60+), prioritizes “timeless travelers” (60+) on themed getaways focused on food or nature.

Staying becomes a story
More than 80 percent of Indian travelers now plan to spend most of their vacation time, up from the global average of 51 percent. As a result, hotels and resorts are evolving beyond the venue to provide integrated experiences such as art pop-ups, wellness retreats and community workshops. Non-room revenue, including dining and events, now accounts for up to 50 percent of revenue in the premium hospitality segment.

Spiritual and cultural tourism is also a driving demand. With more than 16 million pilgrims to AYODHYA in 2024, the pilgrim segment now represents a USD 59 billion opportunity. More than 300 premium hotels are expected to open in destinations like Katra, Puri and Tirupati in the next few years.

Technology and Payments Powerless Travel
AI is increasingly being used by Indian travelers for travel planning and community-based recommendations – 83 percent of which AI is simplifying travel decisions. Meanwhile, frictionless payments through UPI, BNPL and flexible card options have boosted booking conversions, especially among younger travelers.

Unlocking India’s hospitality potential
Domestic travel searches set to grow to 3.1 million in 2027 2027 to 2022 2022 to 2022 2022 to 2027 2027 to 2024 2024, about 70 percent of India’s current residential market and Tier-II and Signal opportunities for investment in Tier-II remains.

Government initiatives such as Swadesh Darshan and Prashad are further strengthening regional tourism circuits, aiming to create 50 model destinations that focus on public-private partnership, sustainable and inclusive growth.

India’s Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism, ‘Government of Tourism,’ Domestic tourism has evolved from experience-seeking attractions. By investing in public with private innovation, we can create sustainability, infrastructure and year-to-year directions for local participation. “

Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager – South Asia, Booking.com said, “For today’s traveller, the stay is now only part of the trip.

ANSHUL GUPTA, Managing Director and Travel Device – leading technology hubs in India, emphasized, “AI is no longer an innovation, but travelers will be responsible innovators at every travel touchpoint.”

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