- India - Travel Dates: May 1 - June 20, 2025

India’s Great Summer Escape: Outbound Travel Trends from India
Updated: April 11, 2025
This summer, India’s wanderlust is turning a bold new corner. Whether it’s the serene temples of Kyoto, the alpine trails of Switzerland, or the charm of the heritage of Ahmedabad, travelers from India are making unexpected choices and leaving behind the predictable. New air routes, cultural curiosity, and a growing appetite for deeper experiences are reshaping where and how India travels, both at home and abroad. The result? A travel map that looks refreshingly different from past summers.
Shifting Preferences in Global Travel
Between May 1 and June 30 this year, outbound hotel bookings from India have revealed a dramatic shift in preference. Japan, in particular, is capturing the imagination of Indian travelers like never before. Tokyo has long held its allure, but this summer, it’s Kyoto and Osaka that are stealing the spotlight. Data from Adara reveals that hotel bookings to Osaka have surged by 195%, and Kyoto is close behind with an 184% jump. Tokyo itself has seen a 91% rise, but the real story lies in the growing appetite for a more nuanced, culturally immersive Japan — temples over skyscrapers, heritage over high-tech.
Across the world, this trend of deeper discovery is catching on. France, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore are all seeing double-digit increases in hotel bookings from India. Almaty, in Kazakhstan, perhaps the most unexpected entrant, has soared with a staggering 602% rise in bookings, thanks to easy visas and direct flights.
Yet, as some destinations rise, others are quietly losing favor. New York, once a favorite on outbound itineraries, has seen a 47% drop in hotel bookings from Indian travelers. Singapore and Bangkok, popular on the Indian travel calendar until last year, are also witnessing a decline. The narrative is changing — travelers are no longer drawn purely by what’s popular.
This shift is equally evident at the country level. Vietnam is experiencing one of the steepest climbs, with hotel bookings up 351% compared to the last year. Japan follows closely, having grown 212% in the same period. Increased air connectivity has made Japan more accessible than ever to Indian travelers fueling this surge.
Meanwhile, Spain and Canada are both seeing a noticeable drop, signaling that Indian travelers are turning their attention away from over-familiar Western hotspots in favor of emerging destinations.
Rising Domestic Travel
Back home, the travel story is just as dynamic. Domestic hotel bookings are up 55% compared to last summer — and it’s not just the usual suspects leading the charge. While metros like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai continue to see strong demand, it’s the tier-2 cities that are making headlines. Ahmedabad has seen a staggering 8,300% surge in bookings, powered by better air connectivity and focused tourism campaigns. Cities like Visakhapatnam and Amritsar are also climbing fast, signaling a broader shift in how Indians explore their own country.
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World on Holiday is a real-time travel insights hub, powered by Adara, sharing important worldwide travel trends, as well as real-time booking and search data. This hub is powered by hundreds of first-party data sources, and are based on observed consumer activity.
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About Adara
Adara, a RateGain company, is one of the world’s largest data exchanges, providing access to ethically-sourced consumer data. With more than 270 global partners who supply aggregated, comprehensive traveler data, Adara delivers actionable insights and predictive intelligence to drive higher marketing ROI. For more information, visit https://adara.com/
About RateGain
RateGain is a global provider of AI-powered SaaS solutions for travel & hospitality that works with 3200+ customers—including 26 of Top 30 Hotel Chains, 25 of 30 Top OTAs, 3 of Top 4 Airlines, & all the top car rentals including 15 Global Fortune500 companies—& 700+ partners in 100+ countries helping them accelerate revenue generation through acquisition, retention, & wallet share expansion.