Travel platform Skyscanner has unveiled its ‘Wanderlost’ report, identifying Ayodhya, Kochi, Phnom Penh, and Kuala Lumpur as some of the most affordable destinations for Indian travelers in 2025. The report delves into the travel planning habits of Indian tourists, revealing that 94% experience overthinking, which complicates their decision-making process. Despite the stress, nearly half (49%) of Indian travelers are already planning their next getaway, with January emerging as a key month for making travel decisions.
According to the report, 75% of Indian travelers find trip planning overwhelming, with concerns like making the perfect choice (96%), cost (95%), and overanalyzing (94%) acting as significant stressors. This cautious approach often leads travelers to revisit options for flights (41%), hotels (35%), and activities (30%) multiple times before finalizing their plans.
Mohit Joshi, Travel and Destinations Expert at Skyscanner, emphasized that planning a trip should be exciting, yet many find it daunting. “Over one in five Indian travelers take up to a month to finalize holiday plans—similar to the time taken for major life decisions like higher education. However, 45% ended up taking more holidays than planned in 2024. Skyscanner aims to simplify trip planning through tools like the Cheapest Month feature and Explore Everywhere search, offering budget-friendly travel inspiration and practical hacks for 2025.”
To address travel-related stress, Skyscanner collaborated with neuroscientist Dr. Faye Begeti, who explains that “wanderlost”—a state of indecision in travel planning—stems from mental fatigue caused by juggling options and analyzing scattered information. Dr. Begeti recommends neuroscience-backed strategies to combat this, such as:
- Combat Decision Fatigue: Narrow down options to avoid being overwhelmed.
- Prioritize Key Decisions Early: Make significant choices, like booking flights, when mental energy is at its peak.
- Choose Holidays Mindfully: Opt for nature retreats to recharge or city breaks for excitement based on mental state.
- Leverage Anticipatory Dopamine: Enjoy the thrill of planning by bookmarking dream destinations and refining them over time.
- Break Free from Routine: Overcome the status quo by exploring new, unexpected destinations for memorable experiences.
Skyscanner’s insights aim to empower travelers to overcome planning hurdles and confidently map out their adventures in 2025, ensuring their travel dreams take flight with ease.
