According to the How India Travels 2025 report by Booking.com, nearly 80% of Indian travellers now regard their accommodation as central to their holiday experience. Rather than viewing stays simply as places to sleep, travellers choose hotels, boutique properties, and homestays offering immersive, curated, and unique experiences.
The report categorises new traveller segments shaping India’s tourism, including “Trip Architects”—women between 26 and 55 who plan trips in detail—and “Unscripted Explorers,” mostly in their 30s, who pick holidays focused on wellness, nature, or food themes. Older travellers, labelled “Timeless Travellers,” are drawn toward spiritual and cultural journeys.
Interestingly, over 80% of Indian travellers now plan to spend most of their vacation time within their accommodation—far more than the global average. Hotels and resorts are adapting by offering art exhibits, wellness programs, community workshops, and other on-site experiences. In premium hospitality, non-room services like dining and events can contribute up to half of total revenue.
The report also highlights how quickly India’s tourism landscape is expanding. Searches for domestic travel climbed from 103 million in 2022 to 141 million in 2024. Room supply is expected to grow strongly through 2029. Despite this, about 70% of India’s lodging market remains unbranded, pointing to major investment opportunities—especially in smaller cities and for alternative accommodations.
Government programs such as Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD are strengthening regional tourism circuits. The report calls for stronger public-private collaboration to create model destinations emphasising sustainability, infrastructure, and local community participation.
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