Travel in 2025 is all about joy, wellness, and cultural discovery, as revealed by Booking.com’s latest search trends for the first half of the year. According to the report, 66% of Indian travellers sought holidays to boost their mood, while 58% opted for short domestic trips and 36% for short international getaways. With 84% of travellers feeling optimistic about travel in 2025, Indian tourism shows a perfect balance between local pride and global curiosity.
When it comes to domestic travel, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and New Delhi topped the list of most-searched cities between January and June 2025. These urban hubs were driven by business trips, family visits, and quick weekend breaks. Beyond the metros, leisure escapes gained momentum with Ooty, Rishikesh, Lonavala, Jaipur, and Puducherry seeing strong demand. Notably, Rishikesh and Puducherry witnessed a 25% year-on-year surge in searches, fueled by interest in wellness, spirituality, nature, and cultural immersion.
Top 10 domestic destinations searched by Indian travellers in H1 2025
Bengaluru, Mumbai, New Delhi, Ooty, Rishikesh, Chennai, Lonavala, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Puducherry.
On the international front, Dubai retained its crown as the most-searched destination, recording a 62% year-on-year increase. Tokyo emerged as one of the biggest gainers, climbing into the top five with a remarkable 90% surge in searches, thanks to its seasonal charm and rich cultural attractions. Short-haul Asia-Pacific destinations dominated the charts, with Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, and Bali ranking high due to their visa-friendly policies and cultural appeal. Meanwhile, London and Paris continued to attract Indian travellers seeking long-haul European experiences.
Top 10 international destinations searched by Indian travellers in H1 2025
Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, London, Tokyo, Paris, Kuala Lumpur, Phuket, Bali, and Abu Dhabi.
At the broader Asia-Pacific level, Japan remained the most popular destination across the region, followed closely by South Korea and Thailand. Intra-regional travel surged, with Kuala Lumpur, Ho Chi Minh City, Sydney, and Tokyo topping their local markets. Interestingly, London and Paris were the only non-APAC cities to break into the top ten lists, showing how proximity, cultural familiarity, and travel convenience are driving choices in 2025.
