55% of Indians plan to go to offbeat places in 2027, highest in Asia: Agoda
2027 Travel Trends in Asia
According to the survey, 42% of Indian travellers identify outdoor adventure and activities as key motivation, while 14% cite spiritual and religious journeys as the key motivation.
Digital travel platform Agoda has published its 2027 Asia Travel Pulse, spotlighting five key trends and insights poised to shape the next year of travel in Asia. The findings reveal a strong inclination towards lesser-known destinations, outdoor adventures and spiritual journeys, alongside a growing preference for longer stays and value-added accommodation benefits.
Based on a survey of more than 3,300 travellers across 11 Asian markets, the report points to distinct preferences among Indian travellers. Agoda’s top five trends shaping Indian travel in 2027 include Indian travellers are increasingly inclined to venture beyond popular tourist destinations, with 55% likely to visit a lesser-known destination in 2027. This is significantly higher than the Asia average of 36%, making Indian travellers the most likely in the region to go off the beaten path.
From exploring destinations such as Pushkar, Dharamshala and Leh to prioritising meaningful travel experiences, the findings offer insights into how Indians are approaching their travel plans for 2027.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda, said, “Indian travellers are becoming more intentional about how they explore the world, seeking unique experiences through offbeat destinations, outdoor adventures and spiritual journeys, while also opting for longer stays. At the same time, value, convenience and overall travel costs remain key considerations. Agoda continues to help Indian travellers discover destinations that match their interests and budgets through a seamless and accessible booking experience.”
Outdoor adventure and activities are a key motivation for Indian travellers, with 42% identifying them as a reason to travel. This places India among the highest in Asia for adventure-led travel, highlighting the importance of experiences and outdoor exploration when planning trips.
Indian travellers show a strong preference for spiritual and religious journeys, with 14% citing them as a travel motivation. This is 3.5x the Asia average of 4%, the highest in Asia.
Agoda’s 2026 accommodation search data compared with the same period in 2025 also highlights growing interest among Indian travellers in destinations associated with spiritual journeys. Pushkar, particularly during Holi, recorded a 195% increase in searches, followed by Dharamshala at 154% and Leh at 143%, reflecting wider appetite for destinations that offer meaningful travel experiences.
Indian travellers are also considering longer getaways, with 26% saying that most of their trips will last between 8 and 12 days. This is notably higher than the Asia average of 15%, pointing to a preference for trips that allow more time to explore and make the most of each destination.
When it comes to accommodation loyalty programmes, 13% of Indian travellers identify complimentary breakfast as the perk that matters most. This is over three times the Asia average of 4%, highlighting the importance of practical, value-added benefits in shaping accommodation preferences and loyalty among Indian travellers.
Those making travel plans for 2027 can enjoy Agoda’s offerings of over 6 million hotels and holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, all easily combined in a single booking. Discover the best deals on Agoda’s mobile app and visit Agoda.com for more information.
