Indian travellers are giving the festive season a travel twist this year, with searches showing growing interest in international city breaks, beach holidays, heritage destinations and quiet hill escapes. According to Agoda’s latest accommodation search data, Bangkok, Phuket and Tokyo were the three most searched international cities among Indian travellers for stays between October 15 and November 30, 2026. Within India, Goa, Puri and Udaipur topped the list.
The findings are based on accommodation searches made between August 1 and September 30, compared with the same period last year. With Dussehra, Durga Puja and Diwali falling within this travel window, the numbers point to festive holidays becoming less about following a familiar plan and more about choosing a destination based on the kind of break travellers want.
Asia continues to attract Indian travellers
- Thailand remains a popular choice, with Bangkok and Phuket recording search growth of 65% and 51% respectively. The two destinations offer very different experiences, from Bangkok’s temples, food and city life to Phuket’s beaches and coastal stays.
- Vietnam is also gaining attention. Searches for Phu Quoc rose by 124%, while Hanoi recorded a 94% increase. Phu Quoc offers beaches, island experiences and night markets, while Hanoi brings together historic streets, local food and landmarks such as Hoan Kiem Lake.
- Japan has also seen a significant rise in interest, with searches for Tokyo up 109%. The October and November travel period coincides with autumn foliage, giving visitors a chance to see the seasonal colours across parks and gardens such as Shinjuku Gyoen.
- Sri Lanka recorded the highest growth among the top international destinations mentioned in Agoda’s data, with searches rising by nearly 262% year on year.
- Hong Kong SAR, China also recorded strong growth of nearly 138%. Japan, Vietnam and Thailand saw search growth of 125%, 86% and 55% respectively at country level.
Indian getaways are seeing strong demand too
For travellers staying within India, Goa continues to be a festive favourite, with searches rising by nearly 43%. Udaipur recorded nearly 29% growth, keeping the Rajasthan city firmly on the list for those looking for heritage, food and leisure.
Some of the sharper increases came from Puri, Ooty and Munnar. Searches for Puri rose by 318%, followed by Ooty at 166% and Munnar at 107%. Varanasi also saw a 92% increase, adding a cultural and spiritual option to the festive travel mix.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda, said the data reflects a wider shift towards choosing destinations based on the experience travellers want from their holiday.
For travellers planning a festive break this year, the choices are clearly much wider than the traditional family holiday. From Thailand’s beaches and Vietnam’s streets to autumn in Tokyo and cool hill stations closer to home, the festive calendar is giving Indian travellers plenty of reasons to pack a bag.
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