Thailand, Vietnam & Japan emerge as most searched countries ahead of festive season

Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo emerged as the top three international cities searched by Indian travellers, while Goa, Puri and Udaipur were the most popular domestic destinations.

With Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali approaching, accommodation search trends on digital travel platform Agoda show travellers looking at a mix of international experiences and domestic leisure breaks. Based on searches made between August 1 and September 30, 2026, for stays between October 15 and November 30, international travel interest for Indian travellers is led by destinations across Asia, with Thailand, Vietnam and Japan emerging among the most searched countries, recording 55%, 86% and 125% growth in searches, respectively, compared to last year. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, recorded almost 262% year-on-year growth in searches among the top international destinations, followed by Hong Kong SAR, China, at nearly 138%, indicating growing interest across a mix of destinations that offer cultural, culinary and leisure experiences.

At the city level, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand recorded 65% and 51% growth in searches, respectively, offering travellers a combination of cultural landmarks such as the Grand Palace and Wat Pho along with local food and coastal experiences. In Vietnam, Phu Quoc recorded 124% growth in searches by Indian travellers, with its beaches, island-hopping experiences and night markets offering a mix of leisure and local experiences. Hanoi recorded a 94% increase, with attractions such as the Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake offering a glimpse of the city's heritage. Tokyo also recorded 109% growth in searches from India, with the October to November travel window coinciding with its autumn foliage season, when spots such as Shinjuku Gyoen become popular for ‘Kōyō’, Japan's tradition of enjoying the changing colours of the leaves.

Within India, festive travel trends reflect a mix of leisure, cultural and nature-led getaways. Goa saw nearly 43% year-over-year growth in searches, while Udaipur grew by nearly 29%, reflecting continued interest in established leisure and heritage destinations. Puri recorded 318% growth in searches, followed by Ooty at 166% and Munnar at 107%, pointing to interest in coastal, hill and nature-focused breaks. Varanasi also recorded 92% year-over-year growth, adding to interest in destinations associated with India's cultural and spiritual heritage.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda, shared: “The festive period has traditionally been when travel and celebration come together, but the destinations people are considering reveal that there are now various ways to spend this time. We are seeing interest span beach holidays, city breaks, cultural destinations and hill station escapes, suggesting that travellers are choosing destinations around the experience they want to have, rather than simply following a conventional itinerary. For Agoda, this also means helping people discover the right stay and experiences around increasingly diverse ways of travelling.”