NEW DELHI — Indian travellers are increasingly moving away from the traditional pattern of taking one big annual vacation and are now spreading multiple shorter trips throughout the year that focus on experiences, activities and personal discovery, according to the latest Scapia 2025 Travel Insights report.
The report shows a structural change in how Indians travel, with journeys becoming more habitual and frequent rather than occasional. Instead of waiting for long breaks, travellers are planning numerous shorter getaways, including weekend breaks, multi-day cultural trips and short international escapes.
Frequent Travel Over Annual Vacations
Travel data reveals that Indians are no longer saving their holiday days for just one big trip. Many are now booking multiple trips a year, combining various transport modes such as flights, trains and buses to suit their plans. The average traveller today is more likely to think about their next journey while still on their current one.
This behaviour is driven by improved travel accessibility, easier booking systems, rewards programs and broader participation across different regions of India, not just major metropolitan cities. Domestic destinations Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh), Pakyong (Sikkim), Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh) and Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh) have all seen rising bookings as interest in off-the-beaten-path locations grows.
Experience Over Checklist Tourism
The report indicates that travellers care more about the quality of experiences rather than ticking off famous spots. Activities such as treks, safaris, cultural immersions, festivals and local food trails are shaping itineraries, with many travellers planning trips based on what they will do, rather than where they will go.
Rewards from travel-linked credit cards and loyalty programmes have helped travellers convert everyday spending into more frequent journeys, reinforcing the trend toward shorter, repeat trips. Urban and smaller cities alike are contributing to this shift, with women and Gen Z travellers playing a significant role in shaping this new travel pattern.
International Travel Also Diversifying
While domestic travel continues to expand, Indian travellers are increasingly exploring a wider range of international destinations beyond traditional hubs. The report notes travel interest and spending in places as varied as Tashkent(Uzbekistan), Luang Prabang (Laos), Barbados and Puerto Princesa (Philippines), showing that Indian outbound travel is diversifying into less typical holiday markets.
What This Means for 2026
With travelers looking for flexible, short-to-medium-length vacations that suit individual interests and schedules, the trend indicates that frequent, experience-centered travel will become even more widespread in the future. As selections continue to be influenced by accessibility and immersive activities, destinations that are appropriate for 48–72-hour getaways are anticipated to become more popular.
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