Emerging Travel Trends in India:

What Today’s Travellers Are Looking For

There was a time when the idea of leisure travel in India conjured up a pretty straightforward sequence of activities—packing up a suitcase, boarding a train or flight, spending a few languid days vacationing at a hill station or a beach resort, and returning home, hopefully, refreshed. However, things are changing and taking a rather interesting turn to boot. While concepts such as Workation and Noctourism have become fairly well-known in recent travel vocabulary, others too are beginning to pick up steam. The days of the run-of-the-mill vacation being the only definition of travel, in other words, are long gone.

Read on to learn about five emerging travel trends in India that are set to breathe new life into the travel and tourism industry in the post-COVID decade.

India is a nation of many “worlds”, each a precious treasure trove of natural and cultural heritage. Hearteningly, more and more Indians are now waking up to that realisation—a fact that’s being reflected in how Indians are choosing to travel. The 2026 Travel Outlook Report by digital travel platform Agoda reveals that more than a third of Indian travellers (35%) plan to explore more within India than internationally.

While the allure of international adventures remains steady—51% plan to balance domestic and overseas travel—India’s lesser-known destinations are generating plenty of interest. The reasons? Lower costs, unique cultural experiences, and fewer crowds

The idea of participation, and not merely observation, has caught on and is infusing short and long trips with novelty and nuance. Travellers are increasingly seeking experiences beyond standard sightseeing, discovering fun activities anchored in the destination’s cultural moorings.

The growing popularity of feni distillation tours across the villages of Goa can be attributed to this trend. Likewise, joining traditional Kerala cuisine workshops has become quite the rage, figuring as one of the top things to do in Varkala and other scenic hotspots in the state. Similarly, Coorg’s immersive bean-to-cup experiences are no longer uncommon—visitors can saunter through the plantations and subsequently witness the drying, roasting, and brewing process.

There was a time when ‘relaxing’ on a holiday without the customary mug of beer or goblet of wine was, frankly, deemed unthinkable. But Gen Z’s waning interest in alcohol is, by now, a widely acknowledged fact and is driving one of the most noteworthy tourism trends in India. A 2024 report by StudentUniverse showed that 77% of Gen Z travellers choose holidays with no drinking involved. Consequently, according to Expedia, up to 66% of 25- to 35-year-olds are evincing an interest in staying at hotels with easily accessible alcohol-free beverages.

Hotels, resorts, and other hospitality spaces are gladly obliging. Be it in the mini-bar or actual bar, the focus is on offering unique alcohol-free alternatives, particularly ones made of fresh, local ingredients.

While not an entirely new trend, the remarkable growth of India’s wellness tourism industry speaks of a surging desire for trips that include recuperative, transformational experiences aimed at holistic well-being. Unsurprisingly, India's wellness tourism industry is experiencing what can only be described as a boom—valued at US $19.43 billion in 2024, it is projected to reach US $29.88 billion by 2031.

Ayurvedic centres, naturopathy clinics, and yoga retreats apart, hotels that have spas offering traditional therapies and treatments are increasingly being given preference. Key destinations for wellness tourism in India include Kerala, Goa, and Uttarakhand.

Pertinently, Indians are among Asia’s most enthusiastic adopters of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the arena of travel. According to Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report, 68% state they are likely to use AI to plan their next trip.

In other words, Indian travellers are taking the help of AI at every stage of their journey, from creating personalised itineraries to discovering local attractions, and navigating experiences in real time. This doesn’t mean that human intelligence (read: recommendations of travel agents, travel writers, and vloggers) will not have a role to play. It just means that AI is emerging as a dependable digital travel companion.

To conclude, travel in India in 2026 and beyond is going to be about unique, fulfilling experiences imbued with the destination’s essence. From selecting exotic domestic destinations to employing AI for trip planning, these latest tourism trends in India testify how Indians are adapting to the new age of tourism.

Designed to cater to both business and leisure travellers across India, the group of Gateway Hotels & Resorts promises contemporary, world-class hospitality embedded in local culture, with properties that reflect the character and ethos of each destination

Our properties are located in a plethora of destinations across India - some greatly sought-after, others, coming into prominence. Some of the destinations include Coorg, Nashik, Bekal, Madurai, Chikmagalur, Dehradun, Varkala, Goa, and Diu, among others.

From Gateway Coorg to Gateway Dehradun, every hotel houses a number of restaurants, each specialising in a particular cuisine - regional, Indian, or international, ensuring there are choices aplenty for versatile palates.

Additionally, we curate delightful local experiences that allow our esteemed guests to soak up the vibe and vibrancy of a destination.

And that’s not all. With spa facilities at each hotel, we offer an array of time-honoured treatments and therapies that rejuvenate the body and reenergise the mind.

This summer, go on a break that breaks with the past. Book your stay at a Gateway Hotel today