Indian travellers are steering holiday plans toward hidden locations, outdoor adventure and spiritual exploration, with a notable shift toward extended itineraries. According to Agoda’s 2027 Asia Travel Pulse, 55% of Indian respondents plan to visit a lesser-known destination next year, the highest share among 11 Asian markets surveyed.
Off‑beat appetite leads the region
The survey, conducted between September and October 2026 across 3,395 travellers, puts the Asian average for off‑beat travel at 36%. India’s 55% marks it out as the most likely market in the region to explore beyond established tourist circuits. Adventure is a parallel driver: 42% of Indian respondents cite outdoor activities as a reason to travel, placing the country among the highest in Asia for adventure‑led trips.
Spiritual motivation runs well above average
Only 14% of Indian travellers cite spiritual journeys as a motivation, but that figure is 3.5 times the Asia average of 4%. Agoda’s accommodation search data for 2026 bears out the interest: searches for Pushkar rose 195% year‑on‑year, Dharamshala 154% and Leh 143%. Gaurav Malik, country director for Agoda’s Indian Subcontinent, said Indian travellers are becoming more intentional, seeking unique experiences through off‑beat, adventure and spiritual journeys.
Longer stays and festive search patterns
The survey found 26% of Indian respondents expect most holidays to last between eight and 12 days, compared with a regional average of 15%. The shift toward mindful tourism is reflected in festive travel patterns, with searches for rural and non‑urban destinations up over 30% during the Diwali period, according to Airbnb data cited by AdGully. Travel platforms note a dual demand: planners seeking price certainty and spontaneous travellers looking for flexible, experience‑focused trips.
Economic lift for remote Himalayan locales
Leh and other remote Himalayan destinations are benefitting from increased visitor spend on accommodation, guided treks and local crafts. The combination of adventure access and spiritual association appears to be extending both the length of stay and the depth of local engagement, notably in regions that previously saw only seasonal or niche traffic.
Sources
- From Pushkar to Leh: Indians show growing interest in offbeat and spiritual travel in 2027 – CNBC TV18
- Astral projection
- Manifestation of Sacred Symbols in New Jersey: The Spiritual Journey of Abhishek Mishra – News India Times
- Spiritual retreats, beach escapes: Indiaâs favourite Diwali destinations
- Selling certainty and spontaneity: The festive marketing challenge for travel brands
- Indian travellers pivot to offbeat places, outdoor adventure key motivation
Photo: Anirvan Shukla (CC BY-SA 3.0)
