80% of Indian travellers prefer to spend most of their time at the property: ‘The stay is the holiday,’ says Booking.com

The Stay is the Holiday: 80% of Indian Travellers Prefer Experiential Stays, Reveals Booking.com 2025 Report

For Indian travellers in 2025, the holiday is no longer just about the destination — the accommodation itself has become the centerpiece of the journey. According to the latest How India Travels 2025 report by Booking.com, in collaboration with Accenture, 80% of Indian travellers plan to spend most of their holiday time at the property, well above the global average of 51%.

A Shift Towards Experience-Driven Travel

The report highlights a growing trend among Indian travellers to seek curated, unconventional, and digitally shareable experiences. The modern Indian traveller is moving beyond traditional archetypes:

Trip Architects (26–55, primarily women): Women are now leading destination selection, budgeting, and itinerary planning, with 73% of respondents confirming this trend.

Next-gen Co-pilots (under 15): Children are influencing family travel decisions, including hotel and activity choices.

Unscripted Explorers (28–43): This group seeks themed getaways focusing on wellness, food, and nature, valuing privacy, thoughtfully designed spaces, and flexible loyalty perks.

Timeless Travellers (60+): Older travellers increasingly seek heritage, spirituality, and cultural experiences, showing no signs of slowing down.

Accommodation as the Destination

Indian travellers now expect hotels and resorts to offer experiences beyond rooms, with non-room revenue — particularly from food, beverages, and events — contributing up to 50% of earnings in premium segments. Boutique hideaways, restored heritage villas, and properties offering activities such as spiritual workshops, art pop-ups, and wellness retreats are gaining popularity.

“Indian travellers are no longer just booking rooms — they’re curating stays,” said Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia, Booking.com. “The stay isn’t part of the journey anymore — it is the journey itself.”

Spiritual tourism is a key driver, with destinations like Ayodhya welcoming over 16 million pilgrims in 2024, creating a USD 59 billion opportunity. Over 300 premium hotels are expected to open across spiritual hubs such as Katra, Puri, and Tirupati.

Technology and Payments Fuel Seamless Travel

The modern Indian traveller is embracing AI-driven planning and digital payment solutions to enhance their journey. 83% of travellers use AI to make planning easier. 82% rely on AI to avoid overcrowding, and 80% value its guidance for experiences benefiting local communities.

Payment innovations like UPI, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and EMIs are accelerating booking decisions, with models like Booking.com’s Pay at Hotel showing higher conversion rates.

“AI is moving from novelty to necessity, enabling hyper-personalisation and seamless travel,” said Anshul Gupta, MD & Travel Lead, Accenture India. “Providers that integrate technology responsibly while offering trust and flexibility will lead the next wave of growth.”

India’s Hospitality Sector on a Growth Trajectory

The domestic travel surge is creating significant opportunities for the hospitality sector:

• Hotel demand is projected to grow 10.5% annually through 2027, outpacing supply growth of 8%.
• Branded room supply remains low at 138 rooms per million people, compared to over 1,500 in developed markets.
• Total room supply is expected to expand from 2.48 million in 2024 to 3.1 million by 2029.
• Off-season occupancy stabilized at 63% of peak levels in 2024, with Tier-II and Tier-III cities showing consistent demand.

Looking Ahead

With 5.2 billion domestic trips projected by 2030, the report urges industry players to reimagine accommodations, expand into emerging cities, and leverage digital platforms. For Indian travellers, the emphasis is clear: the stay is no longer a backdrop — it is the holiday itself.