Experience

INDIA | Skyscanner sees rise of ‘shared experiences’ as travel trend

Posted by Timothy on

In its ‘Travel Trends 2025 Report‘, Skyscanner sees collective travel experiences as the trend of 2025 (and beyond?). It also sees people from India travelling more.

“From stargazing beneath the night skies to exploring immersive art galleries, Indians are increasingly drawn to adventures that offer a sense of community.”, the press release says. 

Moreover, with 66% of Indians planning to travel more in 2025, global exploration is a top priority as they seek out destinations that offer enriching experiences. The report further offers insights into the pulse of Indian travellers in the coming year, their evolving travel preferences, and the top 10 trending and best-value destinations.

Data from the report also reveals that Indian travellers are increasingly seeking deeper connections. Among those aged 25 to 34, 44% are excited to attend live sports events, eager to support their favourite teams alongside fellow fans.

Meanwhile, 47% are on the lookout for immersive art experiences that invite active participation. This growing interest in collective travel highlights a trend where shared moments and a sense of belonging transform how people explore the world.

Sharing his views on the latest ‘Travel Trends Report’, Mohit Joshi, Skyscanner Travel and Destinations Expert said: “Indian travellers are not just exploring new destinations; they’re seeking meaningful and collective travel experiences. With 86% budgeting to spend the same or more on flights and 80% on accommodations in 2025, their desire to explore is stronger than ever. Cost remains a crucial factor in decision-making as travellers choose their next adventure. At Skyscanner, we help travellers discover incredible travel options that help them make savvy choices. Our Search features on Skyscanner like setting up ‘Price Alerts’ or the ‘Cheapest Month’ tool can help travellers snag the best deals, making those unforgettable journeys more accessible.”

Using a comprehensive analysis of Skyscanner’s proprietary global travel data, consumer surveys from 20,000 travellers including Indian travellers, and industry insights, Skyscanner’s Travel Trends report spotlights seven key trends for 2025. The report reveals an exciting shift towards shared experiences and immersive adventures—inviting travellers to discover the world together in new and inspiring ways.

Sport mode

In 2025, Indian travellers are swapping couches for seats at the stadiums, with 53% eager to dive into the electrifying atmosphere of live sports, at home or abroad. 

Whether it’s cricket, football, F1, or other global tournaments, sports tourism is hitting an all-time high, with nearly two-thirds (63%) of Indians planning to soak in the experience for entertainment purposes. And for half (50%) of Indian fans, the chance to see their favourite sporting celebrities in action is a motivator to witness these grand spectacles in person.

Interestingly, Skyscanner has captured this growing excitement, showing a spike in flight bookings ahead of major sporting events like Formula 1. According to the data, Abu Dhabi (6–8 Dec) shows a 188% rise in bookings on 2nd December ahead of the race. Previously, Singapore (20-22 Sep) also witnessed a remarkable 189% increase in flight bookings on 18th September compared to the previous day. Indian fans are buzzing with excitement, and Skyscanner is here to help you dive into the action*!

Art-venture

Art-venture is making waves as Indian travellers embrace immersive art experiences like never before. Nearly 79% plan to participate in these multisensory journeys on their holiday in 2025. Art is no longer just for viewing, it’s about experiencing with 51% of Indian travellers mesmerized by its unique appeal and an equal number eager to share it on social media, turning creativity into connection.

Notably, Skyscanner’s list of trending and best-value destinations for Indians in 2025, also feature the cities of Tokyo in Japan, Seoul in South Korea, Singapore, and London in United Kingdom, among others, each offering immersive art experiences. 

For an ideal ART-venture, explore the captivating TeamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum located at Azab Udai Hills in Tokyo, one of the trending cities for Indian travellers in 2025. 

TeamLab Borderless opened to public in February this year but has already surpassed 1 million visitors as of last month, signifying the growing interest in travellers seeking immersive art experiences.

Astro adventurers

The alluring night skies and cosmic wonders are drawing Indian travellers with a captivating 53% expressing their desire to sleep under the Milky Way and 56% keen on embracing night photography to capture the beauty of the cosmos. The Northern Lights have become a bucket-list item for 44% of Indian travellers, who are all yearning for an out-of-the-world experience- on their trips.

Skyscanner checked in with Preston Dyches from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, who shared these tips on how to stargaze like a pro:

  • Find dark skies: Move away from city lights, as human-made light pollution makes it much harder to see stars. 
  • Seek open landscapes: Choose a location with unobstructed views, such as a lake shore or meadow, to increase your visibility of the night sky. 
  • Check the weather: Make sure the skies are clear by checking the weather for clouds and wildfire smoke, ensure the winds won’t be too gusty, and be prepared for the forecast temperatures. 
  • Reach higher altitudes: Higher locations, above dense air and haze, give you clearer skies and better views.  
  • Scout safely: Visit your stargazing spot during the day to identify and avoid any potential hazards like rocks and branches. And be aware of local wildlife. 

Other trends that are inspiring Indian travellers to embark on adventures in 2025:

  • Horticulture: Garden lovers are on the rise with a whopping 90% of Indians sharing that they enjoy visiting gardens while on holiday. The allure of nature is undeniable, with over half (56%) of travellers eager to experience the breathtaking cherry blossom season, 53% having their sights set on sunflower fields, and 52% keen to wander through lavender fields next year.
  • Reset jetters: Holistic living is becoming increasingly popular among travellers, with 70% actively seeking to be more mindful of their health and well-being. Moving beyond the traditional “treat yourself” holiday mentality, over half (57%) of travellers prioritise maintaining their wellness while away. An impressive 91% believe that vacations help them build resilience and cope better with daily pressures.
  • Gami-vacation: Gaming is a huge hit with Gen Z, with nearly two-thirds (62%) saying it’s their go-to leisure activity and 57% feeling inspired to book a trip based on a location featured in a video game. Indian gamers can’t resist the allure of their consoles, even on vacation as 67% admit to packing their gaming gear to get their fix on the go.
  • Cowboy core: Inspired to experience the great outdoors, travellers are gearing up for countryside escapes in 2025. With 53% excited about immersive experiences like campfire dining and 50% eager for tranquil farmhouse stays, these trips beautifully blend relaxation with outdoor adventure. Travellers are opting for destinations like Dubai, where luxury ranch-style resorts and desert experiences offer the perfect setting to channel their inner cowboy.

India’s top trending and best value destinations

In 2025, Indians are expanding their horizons and exploring unique and lesser-known destinations. The most popular destinations for Indian travellers in 2025 are Shillong in India, loved for its stunning landscapes and lush hills, Baku in Azerbaijan located at the boundary between Europe and Asia and celebrated for its rich culture, and Langkawi in Malaysia, known for its pearl-white sand beaches. 

On the other hand, Almaty in Kazakhstan came out top overall, securing the highest spot for the ‘Best Value Destinations’ category, followed by Jakarta in Indonesia, Singapore, and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

AI is taking centre stage

As travellers embark on new adventures, AI is becoming their go-to tool for inspiration and comparison, empowering them to turn travel dreams into reality. 

A remarkable 84% of Indian travellers feel confident using AI tools for planning and booking their travels, with 52% using them for destination research, 50% for flight bookings, 48% for comparing flight and hotel options, and 46% seeking destination inspiration. As AI continues to transform the travel landscape, Skyscanner’s Savvy Search, harnesses this technology to enhance the travel planning experience.

Powered by Open AI’s Chat GPT technology, Savvy Search is an app-exclusive tool on Skyscanner that help travellers generate up to three curated destination recommendations based on travellers’ prompts on what they are looking for, simplifying the travel planning process for savvy travellers.

The rise of unique and culturally rich destinations

As travel trends evolve, Indian travellers are increasingly moving beyond traditional tourist hotspots and opting for unique, culturally rich destinations. 

Shillong, known as the Scotland of the East, tops the list of the most buzzing places, followed by Baku in Azerbaijan and Langkawi in Malaysia, both of which are celebrated for offering diverse experiences that combine relaxation with adventure. 

Other destinations drawing interest include Tromsø in Norway, Tashkent in Uzbekistan, and al-Ula in Saudi Arabia, highlighting the desire among Indian travellers to explore newer destinations that promise unforgettable and varied experiences.

Destinations offering the best value for money in 2025

Some destinations stand out for delivering the best value for Indian travellers in 2025, thanks to significant drops in airfare prices over the past year. 

Almaty in Kazakhstan has seen the steepest decline, with flight prices falling by 44%, followed by Jakarta in Indonesia and Singapore. Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Phnom Penh in Cambodia, Oslo in Norway, London in the UK, Doha in Qatar, Seoul in South Korea, and Baku in Azerbaijan also feature among the top destinations where airfare has become more affordable.

For value-driven Indians, cost remains an important factor when planning a trip, with hotels (65%), flights (62%), and food and drinks (54%) playing a key role in decision-making. The cheaper fares to these destinations are likely the result of new direct flights and increased frequencies, which have improved connectivity while reducing costs.

Even so, travellers are not willing to compromise on quality. Many are prepared to spend more on better food during flights (57%), the option of selecting seats (47%), and access to airport lounges (42%), showing that comfort and enhanced experiences remain a priority alongside affordability.

Some tourism statistics