Agoda’s 2027 Asia Travel Pulse reveals 55% of Indians plan to explore lesser-known destinations, the highest proportion in Asia
Digital travel platform Agoda has published its 2027 Asia Travel Pulse, spotlighting five key trends and insights poised to shape the next year of travel in Asia. The findings reveal a strong inclination towards lesser-known destinations, outdoor adventures and spiritual journeys, alongside a growing preference for longer stays and value-added accommodation benefits.
Based on a survey of more than 3,300 travellers across 11 Asian markets, the report points to distinct preferences among Indian travellers. From exploring destinations such as Pushkar, Dharamshala and Leh to prioritizing meaningful travel experiences, the findings offer insights into how Indians are approaching their travel plans for 2027.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda, said: “Indian travellers are becoming more intentional about how they explore the world, seeking unique experiences through offbeat destinations, outdoor adventures and spiritual journeys, while also opting for longer stays. At the same time, value, convenience and overall travel costs remain key considerations.”
Agoda’s top five trends shaping Indian travel in 2027
Hidden gems over hotspots: 55% plan to visit a lesser-known destination, the highest in Asia
Indian travellers are increasingly inclined to venture beyond popular tourist destinations, with 55% likely to visit a lesser-known destination in 2027. This is significantly higher than the Asia average of 36%, making Indian travellers the most likely in the region to go off the beaten path.
Adventure calls: 42% say the outdoors is a key reason to travel
Outdoor adventure and activities are a key motivation for Indian travellers, with 42% identifying them as a reason to travel. This places India among the highest in Asia for adventure-led travel, highlighting the importance of experiences and outdoor exploration when planning trips.
Travel with Purpose: Indian Travellers Show three and a half times Higher Preference for Spiritual Journeys Than the Asia Average
Indian travellers show a strong preference for spiritual and religious journeys, with 14% citing them as a travel motivation. This is three and a half times the Asia average of 4%, the highest in Asia. Agoda’s 2026 accommodation search data compared with the same period in 2025 also highlights growing interest among Indian travellers in destinations associated with spiritual journeys.
Pushkar, particularly during Holi, recorded a 195% increase in searches, followed by Dharamshala at 154% and Leh at 143%, reflecting wider appetite for destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences. These figures track changes in accommodation searches during 2026 compared with the corresponding period in the previous year.
Longer breaks: 1 in 4 are planning trips of 8–12 days, against 15% across Asia
Indian travellers are also considering longer getaways, with 26% saying that most of their trips will last between 8 and 12 days. This is notably higher than the Asia average of 15%, pointing to a preference for trips that allow more time to explore and make the most of each destination.
Breakfast wins loyalty: Complimentary breakfast matters three times more to Indians than to the rest of Asia
When it comes to accommodation loyalty programmes, 13% of Indian travellers identify complimentary breakfast as the perk that matters most. This is over three times the Asia average of 4%, highlighting the importance of practical, value-added benefits in shaping accommodation preferences and loyalty among Indian travellers.
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