Travel Gets Personal: Report Reveals Indians Are Travelling For Passion, Beauty And Connection
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From beauty-inspired getaways to AI-powered planning, a travel app’s 2026 Travel Trends reveal how Indians are turning every journey into self-expression.
Whether through skincare rituals, mountain treks, or shared stories across generations, travellers are creating journeys that mirror who they are and how they want to live.
From skincare-inspired getaways and literary pilgrimages to grocery aisle discoveries, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2026 Report shows that Indian travellers are redefining what travel means making it more personal, meaningful, and expressive than ever before.
Personalisation Takes Centre Stage
The study reveals that 59% of Indian travellers plan to travel more in 2026, with many ready to spend the same or more on flights (58%), accommodation (49%), and car hire (35%) compared to 2025. At the same time, travellers are staying budget-savvy, with food (63%), flight costs (60%), accommodation (56%), and visa requirements (48%) ranking as top considerations.
Neel Ghose, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends and Destinations Expert, says, “Marked by a shift towards deeper meaning and hyper-personalised choices, we’re witnessing a change in how Indians are approaching travel. One in three travellers are steering clear of touristy spots in favour of quieter, authentic alternatives.”
In planning their journeys, travellers are increasingly turning to digital tools, while social media motivates them to seek experiences that genuinely reflect their individual tastes. “As travel in India continues to grow rapidly, technology remains at the heart of this evolution. With 86% expressing confidence in using AI to plan and book their trips in 2026, our report shows that Indians lead the world in embracing AI for travel,” reveals Ghose.
At Skyscanner, tools like the app-exclusive Savvy Search, powered by OpenAI’s ChatGPT, help bring this to life by offering curated destination ideas complete with flight options. This rise in personalisation underpins our 2026 theme: travel is no longer just about escaping life. it’s about discovering deeper ways to connect with it.”
The Seven Trends Defining 2026
1. Destination Check-In
Indians are choosing hotels so compelling that they become the destination itself. Eighty-two percent of travellers admit to picking destinations not for landmarks but for standout stays. Whether it’s boutique hotels or beachfront villas, travellers are curating journeys where the stay is the star.
2. Shelf Discovery
Local grocery aisles are the new cultural hotspots. Nearly eight in ten Indians visit local supermarkets abroad, while 73% stop at convenience stores to sample local flavours. For 60%, these aisles offer the ultimate cultural deep dive, every shelf tells a story and every flavour becomes a memory.
3. Glowmads
Travel has become a new beauty ritual. Fifty-seven percent of Indian travellers stock up on skincare abroad, with nearly half choosing destinations for their wellness appeal. From hunting duty-free fragrances (53%) and visiting cult beauty stores (48%) to enjoying local treatments (45%), wellness is shaping itineraries.
Mini Sood Banerjee, Marketing Director, Laneige India, observed, “Skincare has seeped so deeply into our routines that it’s become a daily ritual rather than a one-off for a big moment. In this evolution, Korean beauty has emerged as a global wave, setting new standards for innovation, minimalism, and that luminous, healthy glow. With travel becoming a way of life and a form of self-expression, skincare is no longer an afterthought; it’s a ritual that moves with you.”
4. Altitude Shift
The mountains are calling louder than ever. Ninety-two percent of Indians now dream of year-round alpine escapes from trekking to skiing. For Gen Z (51%) and millennials (47%), the thrill lies in achievement, with trek collectives like The Land of Wanderlust turning highlands into symbols of adventure and pride.
5. Family Miles
Intergenerational travel continues to thrive. Nearly half (47%) have travelled with parents as adults, 44% with children under 18, and 38% with both underscoring how family ties are shaping travel choices.
6. Catching Flights & Feelings
Travel isn’t just about new sights it’s about new connections. Eighty-seven percent of Indians say travel has sparked friendships or romances abroad, making journeys as emotionally rewarding as they are experiential.
7. Book-Bound
With nearly eight in ten Indians booking or considering book-inspired getaways, literature is inspiring itineraries. From tracing beloved characters’ footsteps to visiting dreamy libraries, travellers are turning reading lists into travel maps.
A Celebration of Travel and Connection
The global travel app unveiled its report with an energetic celebration in New Delhi, headlined by Indian cricket sensation Suryakumar “SKY” Yadav, captain of the men’s T20I side and Skyscanner’s first-ever brand ambassador in India.
Held at Latango, Nehru Place, the event brought together media, travel partners, and fans for an afternoon of insights, inspiration, and interaction.
Reflecting on this, SKY shared, “Travel has always been close to my heart, it’s my way of switching off, exploring new cultures, and finding hidden gems along the way. Just like cricket, it keeps me curious and excited. With Skyscanner, I hope more people see how easy it can be to plan trips that are fun, affordable, and full of memories waiting to be made.”
The highlight of the session was an engaging fireside chat between SKY and Neel, where SKY reflected on how travel has shaped his personal and professional journey. On the ‘Altitude Shift’ trend, he spoke passionately about how the mountains resonated with his adventurous spirit and his love for pausing in quieter, more serene spots.
With his trademark wit, he then turned to ‘Family Miles,’ the trend of multi-generational family travel, joking that his wife was the real “Skyscanner” at home expertly curating their itineraries, a testament to his love for family vacations. When asked about his next dream destination, he shared his wish to explore the tea estates and cultural heritage of Jorhat.
Wrapping up the conversation on a personal note, SKY named Abhishek Sharma as his go-to travel companion within the Indian cricket team, adding a light-hearted touch that delighted the audience.
Top Trending and Best-Value Destinations
Skyscanner’s data highlights that Indian travellers are balancing discovery with smart value.
Trending Destinations for 2026:
Jorhat, India (+493%)
Jaffna, Sri Lanka (+325%)
Muscat, Oman (+211%)
Queenstown, New Zealand (+151%)
Chiang Rai, Thailand (+133%)
Best-Value Destinations for 2026:
Tirupati, India (−18%)
Langkawi, Malaysia (−17%)
Berlin, Germany (−16%)
Dehradun, India (−14%)
Phuket, Thailand (−13%)
Travel as Self-Expression
Whether through skincare rituals, mountain treks, or shared stories across generations, travellers are creating journeys that mirror who they are and how they want to live.
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi…Read More
Our life needs a bit of style to get the perfect zing in the daily routine. News18 Lifestyle is one-stop destination for everything you need to know about the world of fashion, food, health, travel, relationshi… Read More
October 27, 2025, 15:56 IST
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