Indian Gen Zs are Travelling Differently This Festive Season: Longer stays, deeper connections and global adventures reveals Airbnb data
/Searches by Gen Z travelers in India grew by over 30% YoY, driving a new wave of intentional, experience-led travel.
Gen Z Indian travelers are exploring both India and the world - with longer trips, authentic stays, and a focus on connection and culture.
New Delhi, India – October 2025 - India’s festival season has long been a time for celebration and togetherness - but this year, Gen Z travelers are rewriting the script. Instead of staying home, they’re hitting the road and skies, using festive breaks and long weekends to discover new corners of India and the world.
According to Airbnb data, searches by Indian Gen Z travelers have jumped by over 30% year-on-year, reflecting a clear shift toward travel that’s longer, deeper, and more intentional[1].
Travel That’s Longer, Deeper, and More Intentional
The median international trip length by India’s Gen Z stands at 4 days[2], mirroring a growing appetite for immersive, experience-led travel. Rather than racing through destinations, young Indians are choosing to stay longer - embracing “slow travel” that’s rooted in exploration, culture, and meaningful connection.
Festivals Meet Wanderlust
From Dussehra to Diwali, Christmas to New Year, Gen Z travelers are redefining what it means to celebrate. They’re trading crowded malls for coastal escapes in destinations like Goa, Varkala, Koh Samui, and Langkawi, hometown reunions for hilltop retreats in Mussoorie, Ooty and Darjeeling, and routine celebrations for cultural immersion in Jaipur, Rishikesh, Varanasi and Kolkata - proving that travel is fast becoming the new festival ritual[3].
“The way India celebrates its festivals is evolving, and Gen Z is leading this transformation,” said Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for India and Southeast Asia. “We’re seeing Indians choosing to travel during festive seasons, exploring destinations close to home as well as internationally. At Airbnb, we’re proud to enable these journeys through stays and experiences that make every travel special and unique.”
Exploring the World, One Stay at a Time
Indian Gen Z travelers are broadening their travel maps with a mix of familiar favorites and fresh explorations. Searches for international stays have grown, with Thailand, Japan, and key European destinations such as Paris, Rome and Amsterdam emerging as top picks[4]. Closer to home, Goa, Coorg, Jaipur, and Rishikesh continue to shine as preferred domestic getaways[5], where design-forward homes, nature-rich stays, and unique experiences make for the perfect festive escape.
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