Airbnb Data Shows How Indian Travellers Are Turning to Asia This Summer Key Takeaways

International destinations across Asia like Osaka, Busan, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok lead searches as Indians explore destinations closer to home

• Within India, Thiruvananthapuram, Puri, Meghalaya and Jaipur saw great interest

• Gen Z is leading travel demand, accounting for over 40% of searches and growing faster than all other generations

 National, April 2026: This summer, Indian travellers are choosing Asia. Powered by a generation raised on Korean dramas, Japanese aesthetics and Asian street food culture, destinations across Asia feel both familiar and exciting and travel interest is reflecting that. Travellers are exploring destinations that offer a compelling mix of cultural discovery, strong connectivity and convenient travel times, making Asia an appealing choice for summer getaways.

 According to Airbnb search data, Gen Z led this charge, accounting for over 40% of Airbnb’s summer searches this year and growing faster than any other generation at approximately 60% year-on-year.[1] This generation tends to travel more frequently and is increasingly planning trips around experiences, from concerts and festivals to cultural events and culinary exploration.

 Airbnb data reveals growing interest in destinations across Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. Osaka (over 85% growth in searches), Tokyo (over 90%) and Busan (over 95%) recorded some of the strongest increases in search interest among Indian travellers. This aligns with broader travel trends pointing to rising interest driven by pop culture fandom, culinary appeal and ease of travel. Kuala Lumpur (over 50%) and Bangkok (over 35%) continued to see steady demand, reflecting their strong connectivity and familiarity among Indian travellers.1

 Travel also remains a shared experience, with nearly 60% of searches driven by group and family travel, followed by over 30% from duo travellers, highlighting the importance of spending time together while exploring new destinations.1

 This interest in exploration is also shaping domestic travel trends. Within India, travellers are increasingly looking beyond established hotspots and exploring destinations that offer nature, heritage and cultural richness. Thiruvananthapuram (over 90% growth in searches), Puri (over 30%), Jaipur (over 70%) and Meghalaya (over 70%) have all seen strong growth in interest.1

 "What we are seeing this summer is travel driven by curiosity and culture," said Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia. "Asia offers something rare: the familiarity of a culture Indian travellers love, and a chance to discover a new destination. That, paired with greater connectivity and the option to plan a meaningful yet short trip during a long weekend, makes Asia even more appealing to Indian travellers. It's interesting to see that Indian travellers are slowly moving beyond the templatized and obvious, both internationally and within India, and proactively seeking destinations that feel more personal, not just popular."

 As travel habits continue to shift, Asia is where Indian travellers are heading this summer, offering a sense of ease through its accessibility, affordability and range of experiences.

BEKIND Hospitality Group Introduces ‘Maharaja Experiences’ to welcome Indian Travellers to the MaldivesBEKIND Hospitality Group

Reimagining Maldivian luxury through culturally attuned, family-centric, and immersive island experiences across Fushifaru and Meyyafushi

MALÉ, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES, APRIL, 2026- As India emerges as one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets, BEKIND Hospitality Group is strategically strengthening its presence among Indian travellers with the launch of its bespoke Maharaja Experiences across its Maldivian properties- Fushifaru Maldives and Meyyafushi Maldives.

Rooted in BEKIND’s philosophy of creating ‘moments of kindness’ through holistic, responsible, and deeply personal hospitality experiences, the Maharaja offering has been thoughtfully curated to resonate with the evolving preferences of the Indian traveller, where luxury meets familiarity, and indulgence is seamlessly balanced with cultural nuance.

At a time when travel is increasingly driven by meaning and connection, BEKIND’s approach goes beyond the traditional idea of a Maldivian escape. Across both properties, the experience is designed to foster a deeper relationship between guest and destination, luxury and sustainability, and most importantly, between people and their moments of pause.

Fushifaru Maldives, an exquisite boutique five-star island sanctuary nestled in the Lhaviyani Atoll, offers an intimate and immersive experience shaped by its unique ecological landscape. With a strong focus on authentic Maldivian hospitality, exploration, and connection to nature, the resort invites travellers to experience the Maldives as more than just a destination, it becomes a space for reflection, adventure, and personal journeys.

Meyyafushi Maldives, the latest addition to the BEKIND portfolio, builds on this philosophy with a more expansive, premium-all-inclusive, family-centric approach. Designed as a multi-dimensional resort, it features an underwater restaurant, world’s first fixed overwater padel tennis court, a sky Lounge with glass-bottom pool, mini bowling and water villas with slides. These features seamlessly integrate spaces for relaxation, recreation, and connection, catering to multi-generational travellers who seek both indulgence and engagement. With a strong emphasis on inclusivity and experiential learning, Meyyafushi creates a balanced environment where families can connect within and beyond.

The Maharaja Experience has been designed as a seamless, end-to-end journey from the moment guests arrive in the Maldives to their final farewell. From personalised airport meet-and-greet services and access to exclusive seaplane lounges, to scenic transfers over the Indian Ocean, every touchpoint is curated to ensure comfort, ease, and a sense of arrival.

Within the villas, guests are welcomed with India-inspired amenities and thoughtful inclusions that bring a sense of familiarity to a faraway paradise. Culinary experiences form the heart of the offering, with signature Indian Thali experiences, regionally inspired menus, and the flexibility of diverse dining formats across both properties. Special attention has been given to dietary preferences, including vegetarian and Jain cuisine, ensuring that every guest feels understood and cared for.

Beyond dining, the experience extends into curated moments of indulgence and discovery from spa and wellness rituals to water sports, cultural immersions, and family-friendly activities. At Meyyafushi, this is further enhanced with dedicated kids’ experiences, recreational zones, and interactive programming that encourages both play and learning.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Ahmed Siaar, Cluster General Manager of Fushifaru and Meyyafushi Maldives said "We love welcoming travellers from India and it has always been a key market for us, not just in terms of growth, but in the depth of experiences travellers seek. With the Maharaja Experience, we wanted to go beyond traditional luxury and create something that feels intuitive, personal, and culturally resonant. It’s about anticipating needs before they are expressed, while still allowing guests the freedom to discover the destination in their own way. At both Fushifaru and Meyyafushi, our focus remains on crafting experiences that are immersive, inclusive, and deeply memorable."

With the Maharaja Experience, BEKIND Hospitality Group invites Indian travellers to rediscover the Maldives through a new perspective, one that is immersive yet intuitive, indulgent yet responsible, and luxurious yet deeply personal.

Both Fushifaru and Meyyafushi are designed to create not just stays, but meaningful, lasting relationships with the destination, its environment, its community and its people.

Airbnb Data Shows How Indian Travellers Are Turning to Asia This Summer

Key Takeaways

 International destinations across Asia like Osaka, Busan, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok lead searches as Indians explore destinations closer to home

• Within India, Thiruvananthapuram, Puri, Meghalaya and Jaipur saw great interest

• Gen Z is leading travel demand, accounting for over 40% of searches and growing faster than all other generations

• National, 21 April 2026: This summer, Indian travellers are choosing Asia. Powered by a generation raised on Korean dramas, Japanese aesthetics and Asian street food culture, destinations across Asia feel both familiar and exciting and travel interest is reflecting that. Travellers are exploring destinations that offer a compelling mix of cultural discovery, strong connectivity and convenient travel times, making Asia an appealing choice for summer getaways.

  According to Airbnb search data, Gen Z led this charge, accounting for over 40% of Airbnb’s summer searches this year and growing faster than any other generation at approximately 60% year-on-year.[1] This generation tends to travel more frequently and is increasingly planning trips around experiences, from concerts and festivals to cultural events and culinary exploration.

  Airbnb data reveals growing interest in destinations across Japan, South Korea and Southeast Asia. Osaka (over 85% growth in searches), Tokyo (over 90%) and Busan (over 95%) recorded some of the strongest increases in search interest among Indian travellers. This aligns with broader travel trends pointing to rising interest driven by pop culture fandom, culinary appeal and ease of travel. Kuala Lumpur (over 50%) and Bangkok (over 35%) continued to see steady demand, reflecting their strong connectivity and familiarity among Indian travellers.1

  Travel also remains a shared experience, with nearly 60% of searches driven by group and family travel, followed by over 30% from duo travellers, highlighting the importance of spending time together while exploring new destinations.1

  This interest in exploration is also shaping domestic travel trends. Within India, travellers are increasingly looking beyond established hotspots and exploring destinations that offer nature, heritage and cultural richness. Thiruvananthapuram (over 90% growth in searches), Puri (over 30%), Jaipur (over 70%) and Meghalaya (over 70%) have all seen strong growth in interest.1

  "What we are seeing this summer is travel driven by curiosity and culture," said Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Country Head, Airbnb India and Southeast Asia. "Asia offers something rare: the familiarity of a culture Indian travellers love, and a chance to discover a new destination. That, paired with greater connectivity and the option to plan a meaningful yet short trip during a long weekend, makes Asia even more appealing to Indian travellers. It's interesting to see that Indian travellers are slowly moving beyond the templatized and obvious, both internationally and within India, and proactively seeking destinations that feel more personal, not just popular."

  As travel habits continue to shift, Asia is where Indian travellers are heading this summer, offering a sense of ease through its accessibility, affordability and range of experiences.

Malaysia Airlines Announces Limited-Time Economy Special Fares Campaign for Indian Travellers

Mumbai, March 2026 – Malaysia Airlines has announced its special fares from 10th to 23rd March for travelers in India, offering economy class return fares for exclusive all-in return fares starting from INR 20,5999. Bookings will be available till 23rd March 2026, with the offer valid for travel until 18th December 2026. As the Gateway to Asia and Beyond, passengers can enjoy seamless connections to destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Auckland, Sydney, and more. 

In addition to the special fares, the campaign will also draw attention to enhanced connectivity through new route offerings, including Firefly’s newly launched services to Cebu and Krabi. With more options for both leisure and short-haul getaways, the sale reinforces commitment to delivering greater choice, convenience, and competitive pricing for travellers during the booking period.

With the booking window available for a limited period, travellers are encouraged to plan ahead and secure their future travel plans early. Terms and conditions apply. 

Issued by Group Communications, Malaysia Aviation Group. 
For media enquiries, please send email to: media@malaysiaairlines.com