Travel trends in India highlight Gen Z and millennials seeking adventure, connection, comfort, and shared experiences, Booking.com reports.
Travel today is no longer about simply reaching a destination. It has become about creating shared memories, strengthening bonds, and investing in experiences that truly matter.
With Indian travellers increasingly prioritising meaningful moments, mindful indulgence, and shared adventures, Booking.com has revealed insights into the evolving psyche of Millennial and Gen Z travellers. They are seeking deeper connections and mindful indulgence more than ever before.
“Today’s Indian traveller is driven by a desire for meaningful connection. This is a behavioural shift that’s redefining what a journey is, whether it’s for the 68% of Gen Z planning solo trips to recharge or the 92% of Gen Z parents covering vacation costs for their families. They are balancing the thrill of discovery with the comfort of companionship. Travel is more than just about reaching a destination; it’s about investing in memories with your loved ones, something that is reflected across all generations. Booking.com is committed to empowering every traveller to find their perfect, personalised journey,” said Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com.
Family, Friends & Beyond: The New Travel Companions
Indian travellers are reshaping how they journey together. For millennials, the focus is on strengthening family bonds, while Gen Z is widening the circle to include parents, partners, and friends. Family remains a strong priority, with 62% of Indian millennials preferring to travel with their immediate family, compared to the APAC average of 53%.
Generosity is another defining trait, as many are willing to cover trip costs for their loved ones. 89% of millennials and 88% of Gen Z are happy to pay for a partner’s, parent’s, or children’s trip, showing how travel is increasingly seen as a collective investment in shared memories. The circle extends further with 83% of Gen Z willing to pay for friends’ holidays, compared to 75% of millennials and 58% of Gen X.
Generational responsibility comes through strongly, with 92% of Gen Z parents having paid for vacations fully or partly for their family. This is ahead of millennials at 84%, Gen X at 71%, and Baby Boomers at 66%. Together, these insights underline how modern travel is rooted in connection, care, and shared experiences that stretch beyond traditional family boundaries.
Smart Splurges: Balancing Indulgence with Mindfulness
Indian travellers are showing a rising appetite for travel spend compared to their APAC counterparts, while still remaining mindful of value and budgeting. A clear surge is visible, with 42% of millennials and 89% of Gen Z in India planning to spend more on travel this year, compared to an APAC average of only 24%. Gen X is also stepping up, as 35% of Indian Gen X expect to increase travel spend, more than double the 15% APAC average.
Memories are often placed above money, with 65% of millennials and 57% of Gen Z admitting they would “lavishly blow their budget” for a truly unforgettable holiday. Yet caution prevails, as 82% of Gen Z and 88% of millennials still say travel is a priority but stress the need to find the best options within their budget.
Shorter trips are also becoming popular. 77% of millennials and 70% of Gen Z believe taking multiple short trips is a smarter choice than committing to one long holiday, reflecting a clear preference for more frequent getaways that balance indulgence with practicality.
Curiosity Meets Comfort: Adventure with Assurance
Indian travellers are blending the thrill of adventure with the need for safety and familiarity, creating a balance that reflects wellness, culture, and security. Solo escapes are a priority, with 68% of Gen Z and 65% of millennials planning trips to relax and recharge.
Motivations differ across generations. Gen Z are drawn to adventure at 46% and food at 45%, while millennials lean towards cuisine at 50%, cultural immersion at 48% and adventure at 48%, showing a slightly broader focus on heritage and taste alongside exploration.
Safety remains the strongest priority. It is ranked highest by 72% of millennials and 66% of Gen Z, followed by value for money at 66% and 61% respectively, and good weather at 64% and 61%. Nearly 70% of both generations also plan to revisit destinations they already know, highlighting the growing appeal of familiar places where trust and comfort are assured.
A Mindful Future of Travel
Across generations, Indians are making travel a mindful priority. They are seeking value through multiple shorter escapes and unforgettable experiences.
Balancing new adventures with the reassurance of safety, culture, and familiarity, they now view journeys not as simple trips but as investments in connection and meaningful discovery.
Methodology
Travel Trends 2025 research was commissioned by Booking.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2025, and are involved in trip planning.
The sample comprises 32,106 respondents across 32 markets surveyed in January 2025. These included 2,000 from USA, 800 from Canada, 1,800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1,801 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1,800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1,800 from France, 1,800 from UK, 1,800 from Germany, 800 from Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 501 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 504 from Ireland, 800 from Portugal, 1,800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1,800 from Japan, and 500 from UAE.
Travel Predictions 2025 research was commissioned by Booking.com and conducted among a sample of adults who plan to travel for business or leisure in the next 12 to 24 months.
In total, 27,713 respondents across 33 countries and territories were polled. These included 1016 from Argentina, 1002 from Australia, 502 from Austria, 1003 from Belgium, 1002 from Brazil, 1006 from Canada, 1007 from China, 1005 from Colombia, 501 from Croatia, 501 from Denmark, 1011 from France, 1009 from Germany, 1004 from Hong Kong, 1002 from India, 506 from Ireland, 501 from Israel, 1014 from Italy, 1008 from Japan, 1013 from Mexico, 1011 from The Netherlands, 1003 from New Zealand, 504 from Portugal, 508 from Singapore, 1004 from South Korea, 1008 from Spain, 509 from Sweden, 500 from Switzerland, 507 from Taiwan, 1009 from Thailand, 503 from the UAE, 1012 from the UK, 1006 from the US and 1016 from Vietnam.
Respondents completed an online survey in July and August 2024.
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