Airbnb data: India’s festive season is shaping up to be a busy period for domestic travel, with younger travellers and families driving growing interest in destinations across the country
From spiritual and cultural hubs to coastal escapes, mountain retreats and lesser-explored regions, new Airbnb data reveals how Indian travellers are broadening their travel horizons this festive season.
Domestic searches by Indian travellers on Airbnb grew nearly 40% year-on-year for the upcoming festive season. Gen Z is at the forefront of this momentum, with domestic searches rising by almost 40%, while family searches grew over 40% year-on-year.
The trends reflect a growing appetite for exploring India’s diverse destinations, with travellers looking beyond conventional holiday favourites to discover places that offer a mix of culture, nature and local experiences.
Gen Z puts culture, coastlines and cities on the festive map
India’s Gen Z travellers are bringing a diverse mix of destinations into focus this festive season, combining cultural exploration with coastal getaways and vibrant city experiences.
Varanasi emerged as a standout destination, among Gen Z travellers, witnessing a strong growth in searches.. Coastal favourites also saw strong momentum, with North Goa and South Goa attracting growing interest. While, Kolkata and Bengaluru featured among destinations seeking increased interest from young travellers.
From Varanasi’s spiritual heritage and Kolkata’s festive celebrations to Goa’s beaches and Bengaluru’s urban experiences, the mix highlights the variety of destinations capturing the imagination of younger Indian travellers.
Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia, said, “What’s particularly exciting about festive travel this year is how Indian travellers are exploring more of their own country. Gen Z is leading the way, showing growing interest in destinations that bring together culture, spirituality, coastlines and vibrant city experiences. At Airbnb, we’re seeing how travellers are increasingly looking for stays that allow them to experience destinations in their own way, connect with local communities and make the most of their time together.”
Families explore mountains, heritage hubs and regional favourites
Families are also contributing to India’s festive travel momentum, with domestic searches growing over 40% year-on-year.
Mountain destinations and cultural centres are emerging as popular choices for family travel, with Srinagar, Kangra and Amritsar witnessing particularly strong growth in searches. Beyond these destinations, Guwahati, Nashik and East Khasi Hills are also gaining traction, reflecting growing interest among Indian families in destinations that offer a mix of nature, culture and local experiences.
The diversity of these destinations, from the scenic landscapes of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to the cultural richness of Amritsar, Nashik and Northeast India, reflects how families are looking across a broader mix of places for their festive getaways.
Beyond the metros: Rural and non-urban destinations gain momentum
The growing interest in domestic travel is also extending beyond India’s major urban centres. Searches by Indian travellers for rural and non-urban destinations grew over 30% year-on-year.
Within this category, Kurung Kumey in Arunachal Pradesh is seeing growing interest, alongside popular mountain destinations such as Shimla and Manali which continue to attract travellers..
This growing interest in destinations outside major cities adds another dimension to India’s festive travel story, highlighting the appeal of nature-rich escapes, regional destinations and places beyond the country’s largest urban hubs.
As the festive season approaches, Airbnb data points to a more diverse domestic travel landscape, with Gen Z and families exploring everything from familiar favourites to emerging destinations, and finding new ways to experience India’s cultural and geographical diversity.
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