Leading global travel app Skyscanner has recently released its annual travel trends report, which highlights a transformative year ahead for Indian travellers in 2025, emphasising a shift towards collective experiences. With an increasing interest in adventures that foster community, such as stargazing and immersive art exhibitions, the report revealed that Indian travellers are set to explore the world in new, enriching ways. The report revealed a key insight that 66 per cent of Indian travellers are planning to travel more in 2025, marking global exploration as a key priority.The report identifies a significant willingness among travellers to enhance their flying experience, with 57 per cent planning to invest in higher-quality in-flight meals, 47 per cent prioritizing seat selection, and 42 per cent valuing airport lounge access. This trend reflects a growing demand for comfort and quality during travel.
In an exclusive interaction with ETTravelWorld on the sidelines of the report launch in New Delhi, Mohit Joshi, Skyscanner Travel & Destination Expert, emphasised the implications of these findings. “We are very excited to launch this report for Indian travellers. The appetite for travel has increased significantly, which is reflected in these statistics.”
The report identifies a noteworthy shift in traveller interests. “Last year, the focus was primarily on cultural experiences and exploring new cities. Now, we see a move towards collective experiences that allow travellers to create shared memories,” Joshi explained. This evolving focus is reflected in several emerging travel trends outlined in the report.
Emerging trends & travel themes
Skyscanner’s report reveals that 86 per cent of Indian travellers intend to maintain or increase their spending on flights in 2025. While cost remains a crucial consideration—with 65 per cent monitoring hotel prices and 62 per cent checking flight fares—there’s a strong inclination towards unique experiences.
Key emerging trends include “sports mode,” with 54 per cent interested in attending live sporting events, and “Astro adventures,” driven by heightened searches for celestial experiences in places like Tromso, Norway. The wellness-focused “reset jetters” segment highlights a growing demand for rejuvenating retreats, with 91 per cent of respondents acknowledging the mental health benefits of travel.
Cultural interests also play a significant role, with 70 per cent of travellers eager to explore gardens and natural landscapes, while 79 per cent plan to immerse themselves in art by visiting galleries and museums. Additionally, 88 per cent of respondents express a desire for gaming-inspired vacations, reflecting a cultural phenomenon where destinations become iconic due to popular video games.
Emerging as a vibrant destination for short-haul travel, Indian travellers are increasingly leaning towards countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia for 5–7-day vacations. This trend has been bolstered by relaxed visa regulations, particularly Malaysia’s visa-free travel for Indian passport holders, effective from December 2023 until December 31, 2024, and Thailand’s extension of its 60-day visa-free policy until November 11, 2024.
Concert tourism continues to influence travel plans, with events like the Taylor Swift concert in Singapore and the upcoming Coldplay concert anticipated to drive increases in flight searches and hotel bookings. “Our focus this time has been on immersive experiences, particularly in sports travel,” noted Joshi, referencing major events like the Cricket World Cup.
In terms of the methodology behind the report, Joshi explained that it combines proprietary data from Skyscanner’s user searches with insights from a third-party survey partner, One Goal.
Top trending and best-value destinations
In terms of trending destinations, Shillong, India, and Baku, Azerbaijan, have emerged as favourites, showing substantial increases in search volume. Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Jakarta, Indonesia, offer budget-friendly options with notable airfare reductions, appealing to cost-conscious travellers.
Generational preferences and insights
The report further segments travel preferences by age group. Millennials lead the charge in international travel, with 73 per cent of those aged 25-34 planning more trips in 2025. In contrast, Gen Z travellers gravitate towards art and gaming experiences, while older generations prefer wellness and nature-focused getaways.
In line with its commitment to the Indian market, Skyscanner has established its first office in Gurgaon, underscoring its dedication to offering tailored travel solutions.
As 2025 unfolds, it promises to be a year of diverse and meaningful travel, reflecting the desires of a new generation of explorers.
