From Solo Escapes to Group Getaways: Agoda Reveals Where Indian Travelers Are Heading Next

India, July 2026 – Digital travel platform Agoda unveils the top locations Indian travelers are keen to explore in the 2026 late summer travel season, with distinct choices based on group size. Agoda's latest accommodation search data highlights that metropolitan cities continue to feature prominently in solo travellers' searches, reflecting an interest in flexibility, urban experiences, and independent travel. Meanwhile, group travellers are searching for hill stations, pilgrimage destinations, and leisure escapes, pointing to trips centred around shared experiences, relaxation, and spending time with family and friends.

Metropolitan cities continued to appear across solo traveller destinations of interest, based on Agoda accommodation searches. Mumbai and New Delhi occupy the top two positions, reflecting their appeal as destinations offering accessibility, vibrant food and nightlife, and the flexibility to explore independently.

Udaipur, with its lakeside palaces and walkable old city, continues to appeal to those seeking heritage experiences, while Tirupati reflects steady demand for solo pilgrimage travel to one of India's most visited pilgrimage sites. Leh, Munnar and Srinagar highlight growing interest in Himalayan landscapes, tea-country retreats and houseboat stays for travellers seeking slower-paced, solo scenic experiences.

Together, these shifts show that solo travellers are balancing fast-paced city breaks with heritage, spiritual and nature-focused experiences, reflecting a desire for journeys that combine exploration with personal enrichment, mindfulness, and meaningful cultural connections.

Puri reflects its enduring appeal as a coastal pilgrimage destination centred around the Jagannath Temple, while Rishikesh, Haridwar and Ujjain underscore sustained interest in destinations with spiritual and cultural significance.

Hill stations including Nainital, Mussoorie and Shimla continue to attract families and groups seeking cooler climates and mountain escapes. Meanwhile, Wayanad points to growing interest in nature-based destinations that offer a slower, more relaxed pace of travel.

Overall, the data highlights a preference for destinations that cater to shared experiences, whether through scenic escapes, spiritual journeys, or leisurely getaways. These choices reflect a growing desire to spend quality time together, create lasting memories, and enjoy experiences that appeal to travellers across different age groups and interests.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands, Agoda, said, "Travel preferences are becoming increasingly personal, with solo travellers drawn to destinations that offer relaxation, self-discovery and flexibility and groups continuing to favour places to create shared memories. What stands out is also Goa's enduring appeal, emerging as a top choice for both solo travellers and groups alike. As travellers seek experiences that are uniquely their own, Agoda remains committed to making it easy to discover and book the right stays, flights and activities at great value for every kind of journey."

Agoda offers access to more than 6 million holiday properties across a wide range of price points and accommodation types, alongside over 130,000 flight routes and more than 300,000 activities that can be booked together in one place. Travellers can explore and book their next trip through the Agoda mobile app or by visiting Agoda.com.

68% of Indian Travelers Likely to Use AI for Their Next Trip: Agoda

Nearly 9 in 10 Indian travelers (88%) trust or feel neutral about AI-generated travel recommendations

• Interest spans entire trip planning journey, from destination discovery to dining recommendations

• India,April 2026 - Indian travelers are increasingly turning to artificial intelligence (AI) to take the guesswork out of travel planning, not just for inspiration but across the journey from destination discovery to dining. According to Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report, while one in three (33%) state they already use AI for travel planning, almost twice as many (68%) say they are likely to use it for their next trip. For a market that has always been quick to embrace technology, this indicates a growing appetite for AI across all stages of travel planning.

  Data from the report suggests that what Indian travelers want from AI goes beyond a simple search. When asked how they would use it, respondents pointed to recommendations for local attractions and activities (38%), personalized itinerary creation (37%), and destination suggestions (29%). Interest also extends to dining recommendations (23%) and budget management (22%). These findings point to a traveler who expects AI to be present in every stage of the trip-planning process, not as a shortcut but as a smarter way to plan.

  Sentiment towards AI-generated recommendations is broadly receptive, with nearly 9 in 10 respondents (88%) saying they either trust or feel neutral about such recommendations, including over half (53%) who express clear trust. This aligns with findings from Agoda's 2025 Travel Trends survey, in which nine in ten Indian travelers reported using travel apps when booking trips, pointing to an established comfort with technology in travel planning. For Indian travelers, embracing AI in travel planning is less a behavioral shift and more a natural progression, especially for a generation that has been planning and booking travel through a screen for over a decade.

  Agoda has previously explored this through its 2025 AI-powered Vacation Planner campaign, which invited Indian travelers to answer a set of questions about their preferences, generating customized itineraries and destination visuals, with personalized recommendations delivered by Bollywood celebrity Ayushmann Khurrana. The campaign was a real-world expression of the tailored, intuitive planning experience that travelers are increasingly looking for, and one that the 2026 survey findings reflect.

  Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, “Indian travelers are showing a clear appetite for AI across every stage of trip planning, from discovering destinations to deciding what to eat and even budgeting. This is no longer an emerging trend but is fast becoming the baseline for how a well-planned trip comes together. At Agoda, we continue to offer a range of technology and innovations that make the entire trip planning experience more accessible, convenient, and personalized for every traveler.”

  As AI becomes a more natural part of how people research and plan their travel, India stands out as a market where AI adoption in travel is not just growing but gaining clear intent and direction

• Through its platform, Agoda offers access to more than 6 million holiday properties worldwide, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 travel activities, all bookable through a single platform. Travelers can explore options and make bookings through www.agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app.