India Sees Growing Demand for Domestic Destinations as Travellers Prioritize Adventure, Heritage and Cultural Exploration

Published on December 15, 2025

India’s travel landscape is experiencing a remarkable surge as the year-end 2025 season approaches. According to the latest insights from Ebix Travel – Delphi World Money, travellers are increasingly booking trips earlier, allocating higher budgets, and prioritising experience-oriented journeys over conventional vacations. This shift points to renewed confidence in the leisure travel market and a growing emphasis on meaningful travel experiences.

December Travel Bookings Climb Significantly
Flight bookings for December are currently 20–25% higher compared to the same period last year, highlighting robust demand and a resilient travel sector. Both domestic and international routes are seeing heightened interest, but domestic travel continues to dominate the festive season. Higher average spend per traveller underscores a willingness to invest in memorable experiences, from cultural tours and adventure activities to curated holiday packages. This trend reflects a clear shift toward quality-driven travel where consumers are focusing on unique and enriching experiences.

Festive Travel Fueled by Early Planning
One of the defining trends for the year-end season is the extension of booking windows. Travellers are planning their trips 10–15% earlier than last year, with an average lead time now ranging between 23 and 25 days. This proactive approach allows travellers to secure optimal pricing and availability during the high-demand holiday period from 24 December to 2 January. Early planning has emerged as a strategic behaviour, reflecting a value-conscious mindset and a desire to ensure seamless travel experiences during peak festive dates.

Experience-Centric Travel on the Rise
Leisure travellers are increasingly prioritising experiences over conventional accommodation-focused vacations. Searches for cultural tours, adventure trails, local explorations, and wellness activities have increased by 24% year-on-year. This shift highlights a growing desire for immersive experiences, where travellers engage directly with local culture, heritage, and environments. Destinations offering interactive and experiential activities are witnessing higher demand, indicating that travellers are seeking more than just sightseeing—they want authentic and memorable journeys.

Domestic Destinations Witness Changing Demand
Domestic travel patterns are being reshaped by strong growth in culturally and scenically diverse destinations. Rajasthan, particularly Jaipur and Udaipur, and Kerala have recorded a 35% increase in bookings, far outpacing Goa’s 15% rise. Conversely, northern leisure circuits like Kashmir have seen a 15% decline, reflecting evolving consumer preferences. Travellers are increasingly drawn to destinations that offer a combination of heritage, culture, and accessibility, favouring locations that provide rich, immersive experiences over traditional beach or city-based holidays.

Balanced Winter Travel Between Mountains and Coasts
Winter travel trends indicate balanced demand across mountain and coastal destinations. Searches for Himachal Pradesh, including Manali, have surged 40% year-on-year, while searches for coastal getaways have grown 25–30%. Travellers are seeking destinations that combine natural beauty, accessibility, and a range of leisure activities, from adventurous outdoor pursuits to relaxing coastal retreats. This balanced approach underscores a more versatile travel mindset, where both mountains and beaches play a significant role in planning winter getaways.

Outlook for India’s Year-End Travel
India’s 2025 year-end travel season is poised for a confident finish, defined by deliberate planning, higher consumer spend, and experience-driven itineraries. The emphasis on culturally rich and immersive destinations, along with diversified seasonal preferences, highlights a maturing travel market. Travellers are increasingly seeking quality, personalization, and authenticity in their journeys, resulting in a dynamic and evolving travel landscape.

With higher bookings, increased spending, and a shift toward culturally immersive and activity-rich travel experiences, India’s travel sector is set to close the year on a strong note. The trends suggest sustained momentum, reflecting a confident and resilient market that continues to adapt to changing leisure preferences and emerging travel patterns.