Airbnb highlights how Indian women shaped travel trends in 2025

Key Takeaways

• Almost 30% of Airbnb hosts in India are women, with almost 35% of Guest Favourite listings in India hosted by women - showcasing their excellence in hospitality.

• North Goa, Bengaluru, Gurugram, South Goa and Pune were the top-searched domestic destinations for Indian female travelers in 2025.

• Internationally, Dubai, London, Bangkok, Paris and Rome were the top-searched destinations for Indian female travelers in 2025.

• Duo travel emerged as the most popular trip type amongst Indian female travelers, followed by group trips.

National, March, 2026: This International Women’s Day, Airbnb is celebrating the growing community of women hosts and travellers who are driving hospitality and travel trends across India. Nearly 30% of Airbnb hosts in India are women, and they manage almost 35% of Guest Favourite listings, highlighting their impact in delivering exceptional guest experiences and shaping local tourism.

Embracing this year’s theme, ‘Give to Gain’, Airbnb recognizes the role women play in strengthening communities through hosting and travel. By sharing their homes, culture and local knowledge, women hosts are creating economic opportunities not only for themselves but also for their communities.

Highlighting Airbnb’s commitment to enabling women entrepreneurs across India, Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for India and Southeast Asia, said “Women who host are not just building successful businesses, but also strengthening local economies and communities. When women share their homes, skills and stories, they create opportunities not just for themselves, but for others around them. In turn, guests contribute to local livelihoods, helping circulate value deeper into communities. When women thrive, entire communities benefit.”

Beyond hosting, Indian women travelers are also increasingly shaping travel trends on Airbnb. Duo travel followed by small group trips remained the most popular trip type amongst Indian women travelers. In terms of destinations, internationally Dubai, London, Bangkok, Paris, Ubud, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Rome were the most searched destinations for Indian women travelers in 2025. Domestically, North and South Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gurugram, and Pune District were the most searched destinations.

Beyond established hotspots, women travellers are increasingly exploring emerging and culturally rich destinations. Dakshina Kannada and Mathura both recorded approximately 50% year-on-year increase in bookings, signalling rising interest in spiritual, heritage and nature-led travel. Internationally, the town of Kazbegi in Georgia recorded an over 100% year-on-year increase in bookings on Airbnb.

This growing momentum toward emerging and off-beat destinations reflects a broader shift among women travellers toward more intentional, experience-led journeys,  where travel not only creates personal memories but also supports local communities and smaller tourism ecosystems.

Airbnb has also been working to strengthen this ecosystem through initiatives such as the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in Goa, the first of its kind in India. The program equips aspiring homestay entrepreneurs with skills in hospitality, business fundamentals and sustainable hosting, with a dedicated focus on empowering women and supporting rural communities. Many of the organizations in India receiving donations from the Airbnb Community Fund this year also work to advance opportunities for women. 

Sharing her journey, Babita, a Host in Uttarakhand who upskilled through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, said, “Before the Airbnb Academy training, we were running a homestay without really knowing how. Airbnb taught us important skills like how to register, how to host, and how to share our culture. It gave me the confidence to grow my small idea into a sustainable livelihood .”

This International Women’s Day, Airbnb continues its commitment to creating more inclusive opportunities for women. Through hosting and travel, women across India are helping build stronger local economies while contributing to a more diverse and resilient tourism landscape.

From Factory Floors to Farmlands: Women Are Rewriting the Rules

March 2026, Mumbai: International Women’s Day is increasingly becoming a reflection point for long-term structural change rather than a symbolic celebration. Across sectors, companies are institutionalising women’s empowerment through defined programmes creating access, building skills, and redesigning systems to enable sustained participation.

Aviation to Agriculture to Manufacturing and FMCG, here are six structured initiatives advancing women’s representation and economic participation in measurable ways. 

1. IndiGo -Women Empowerment Under IndiGoReach: Through its CSR arm, the airline has built a large-scale livelihood programme focused on improving income and decision-making power among women and transgender individuals. By forming over 5,200 Self Help Groups and enabling micro-entrepreneurship across agriculture and non-agriculture sectors, the initiative combines skill development with institutional strengthening. With measurable income uplift targets and region-specific interventions, it moves beyond training to structured economic integration.

2. PepsiCo India- RevolutioNari Conference & Awards: PepsiCo India’s RevolutioNari platform recognises and strengthens the role of women in agriculture. Designed as both a recognition and ecosystem-building forum, it convenes farmers, policymakers and sector experts under one structured platform. Stated ambition to empower one million women, the initiative integrates awards, dialogue and capacity-building positioning women as leaders across.

3. Godrej Foods – WINGS: Godrej Food’s WINGS programme addresses gender gaps in frontline and field roles. The initiative recruits' women agricultural graduates through campus outreach and provides structured classroom and field immersion training. Given the mentorship support and defined pathways into operational roles, WINGS institutionalises entry and progression in segments traditionally dominated by men strengthening representation across the value chain.

4. Tata Motors – All Women Car Assembly Line: In a significant workforce redesign move, Tata Motors operationalised India’s first all-women car assembly line at its Pune facility. The initiative integrates technical training, redesigned shopfloor infrastructure and residential support systems. By embedding women in core manufacturing roles rather than peripheral functions, the programme signals structural inclusion within heavy industry operations.

5. Dabur CSR Initiative for Women Empowerment: Dabur’s rural empowerment initiatives focus on livelihood diversification and entrepreneurship support for women across multiple states. The Skill Development Centres and structured Self-Help Group formation, the programme enables vocational training, financial literacy and access to credit. The approach combines capability-building with income generation frameworks to support long-term economic independence.

6. Canon India – She #CANwithCanon: Canon India’s She #CANwithCanon initiative centres on workplace equity and professional advancement. The programme integrates mentorship, leadership pathways to strengthen internal representation. Given the structured flexibility models, safety measures and well-being programmes, the initiative embeds inclusion within organisational culture rather than positioning it as a standalone campaign.

Real empowerment rarely makes noise. It builds quietly in training rooms, on factory floors, inside boardrooms, across farms and field routes. It changes who shows up, who participates and who leads. When the organisations choose to build systems instead of slogans, the impact outlives the occasion. Empowerment isn’t an annual celebration it’s a structural shift in who gets to shape the future

For the Women Who Do It All: Creme Cookies Celebrates Life’s Sweetest Moments

This International Women’s Day, Creme Cookies is celebrating women through the little moments that make life sweeter.

From balancing careers and passions to supporting families and communities, women wear many hats every single day. While their achievements are often celebrated through big milestones, Creme Cookies believes that everyday moments deserve just as much recognition.

To mark the occasion, the brand brings together a vibrant spread of its indulgent handcrafted cookies, each one a reminder that joy can be found in the simplest of treats. From rich chocolate indulgences and nutty delights to fruity and comforting flavours, the assortment reflects the idea that every moment of pause can be a moment worth celebrating.

This Women’s Day, the Bombay-based cookie brand is encouraging women to pause, indulge, and celebrate themselves, even if it’s just for a few minutes. Whether it’s enjoying a cookie with a cup of coffee between meetings, sharing a sweet treat with friends, or simply taking a moment to unwind, these small breaks can turn into meaningful celebrations.

Known for its handcrafted chonkies and comforting flavours, Creme Cookies has always been about creating joyful experiences through simple indulgences. The chonkies spread captures that spirit perfectly, playful, indulgent, and full of warmth, much like the everyday celebrations it hopes to inspire.

This International Women’s Day, Creme Cookies invites women to celebrate themselves unapologetically, to take a break, indulge a little, and acknowledge the countless ways they shape the world around them, both through big milestones and quiet everyday victories.

Because sometimes, the sweetest celebrations are the simplest ones.

With every bite, Creme Cookies hopes to turn everyday pauses into moments of warmth, comfort, and celebration, reminding women that they deserve joy, appreciation, and a little sweetness in every chapter of their journey. 

About Creme Cookies
Creme Cookies is a Mumbai-based dessert brand known for its warm, freshly baked, New York-style cookies made using egg-free recipes. Founded by Chef Ayushi Agarwal after her move from Jaipur to Mumbai in 2022, the brand grew out of her desire to create cookies that felt comforting yet thoughtfully made. Drawing from her experience at The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, Ayushi developed the brand’s signature Chonky cookies, crisp on the outside, soft at the centre, and filled with in-house preparations, including real fruit-based fillings. Creme Cookies currently operates outlets in Tardeo, Juhu, and Andheri.

Location: Tardeo, Juhu, and Andheri

Bastian Wellness Club Celebrates International Women’s Day with a Free Yoga session by Shilpa Shetty at Juhu Beach

Start this Women’s Day with a promise of health, as Shilpa Shetty hosts a rejuvenating sunrise yoga session by the sea

Helmed by Ranjit Bindra, Bastian Hospitality’s Bastian Wellness Club celebrates the strength of womanhood this International Women’s Day. Fitness enthusiast and co-founder of Bastian Hospitality, Shilpa Shetty, will lead a complimentary yoga session at Juhu Beach. 

Open to all, the session invites attendees to bring their own mats and begin their morning with a calming practice by the sea. The yoga session will commence at 8:00 a.m. on 8th March, offering a mindful start to the day in a serene beachfront setting. 

Extending the event, an intimate gathering of 50 people for HNIs and influencers will be organised at Bastian Beach, followed by curated hospitality from Ammakai and Blondie, with matcha and coffee served complimentary. 

Talking about the initiatives undertaken by Bastian Wellness Club, Ranjit Bindra, Founder and CEO of Bastian Hospitality, said, “At Bastian Hospitality, we have always believed in creating experiences that go beyond just hospitality. International Women's Day felt like an opportunity to bring people together to celebrate wellness in a way that also reflects the brand's evolving nature. This session, led by Shilpa Shetty, truly aligns with the brand's vision of providing experiences that are an amalgamation of hospitality and mindful lifestyle experiences.” 

Bastian Hospitality has now entered into the wellness space, expanding its presence beyond food and dining to embrace a more holistic lifestyle offering. This evolution reflects the brand’s lifestyle-driven philosophy, seamlessly integrating fitness and well-being into its hospitality ecosystem.

Dr. Smita Pankaj Naram, Co-Founder of Ayushakti, On International Women's Day

International Women’s Day is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This day is earmarked for observation -a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere. IWD is not country, group, or organization specific.

We took this opportunity to speak with Dr. Smita Pankaj Naram the Co-Founder of Ayushakti, one of the leading and most trusted Ayurveda health centres around the world. A well-accomplished Ayurveda physician, pharmaceutical herbalist, and nutritionist, Dr. Naram started this journey of bringing in Ancient Health Solution, with a vision to transform the health of billions of people on this planet in 1987. Since then Ayushakti has helped more than 1.5 million clients across the world and transformed their lives with vibrant health and Long- Lasting relief from chronic health challenges.

Dr. Smita Pankaj Naram is the Co-Founder of Ayushakti, one of the leading and most trusted Ayurveda health centres around the world.  A well-accomplished Ayurveda physician, pharmaceutical herbalist, and nutritionist, Dr. Naram started this journey of bringing in Ancient Health Solution, with a vision to transform the health of billions of people on this planet in 1987. 

Since then Ayushakti has helped more than 1.5 million clients across the world and transformed their lives with vibrant health and Long-Lasting relief from chronic health challenges. She is an Ayurveda Practitioner with qualifications of Ayurveda Madhyama and Ayurveda Uttama of Shravan Masa Dakshina Prakisha Samitee constituted by law in the State of Gujarat & recognized by Central Council of Indian Medicine, New Delhi, India.

She is the fifth generation of vaidya in her family tradition of Ayurvedic Practice and she is practicing 2500 years old lineage of Siddha Veda Tradition of Ayurveda. She is a world- renowned pulse reader (the ancient traditional method of diagnosis). Apart from being the Master pulse reader, Dr. Naram is also a detoxification specialist and Ayushakti has successfully executed more than 200,000 detoxifications worldwide over the past 32 years.

She also shares health tips, kitchen remedies, herbal remedies, marma, and detox plans for contributing to people lives for long-lasting results in any health problems. A true female entrepreneur with vast international clinical experience, today she is one of the most insightful practitioners, lecturers, and teachers of Ancient Health Solutions coming from the 2500 years old Siddha Veda lineage of Ayurveda. She along with her team has personally helped clients suffering from numerous chronic health disorders like Arthritis, Joint pain, Sciatica, Osteoporosis, Anxiety, Diabetes, High Blood Pressure, and many more chronic health concerns.

Experiencing breakthrough results in chronic health challenges Ayushakti Clinic just grew through referrals organically. She realized that her life purpose is to transform the lives of the people on this planet and that is why the Ayushakti chain of clinics was born. She has been honoured worldwide with many prestigious awards for her contributions to the domain of health including THE KASHYAP AWARD from Germany. 

She has spent her life personally training more than 500+ doctors and practitioners across the world to create the Army of Healers. Having built a team of expert Vaidyas, Dr.Naram conducts practitioner training courses in ancient pulse reading across the world. Her amazing health tips for vibrant health have been telecasted through national and international television shows and have been helping hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to transform their lives. Dr. Smita Naram has also authored a book named, “Your health in your hand” and has published dozens of research papers in peer-reviewed international journals from USA, Europe, and UK just to prove the efficacy of ancient healing on modern parameters.

We asked her to speak especially about her challenges as a woman, leader, management style, and an entrepreneur:

I felt that more than the external challenges women faces their own internal challenges that I had to manage in the internal world. Hence one has to be solution focused and remain invested in their own strengths, upgrading and constant perseverance.

I got freedom of choice and pursued it with full determination to excel so I learnt how to be in a business, systematic thinking, ERP, setting up a franchisee. The idea became a committed vision for me to drive it with a pure intention, my intention was to create an extensive outreach through trained practionars and not just on money.

I realised I had to move with a focus on growth through contribution and move beyond small ideas.

I would like to specifically mention the coincidence of the birth of her son and Ayushakti which was also on the brink of becoming a strong business, She managed it with careful planning on her schedule, invested quality time with her son (She fondly talks about the story time with her son which was her way of guiding principles-Samsakara (In Hindi).

Her view on good well-being and its contribution towards a successful business acumen and persona:

She believes a holistic persona is capable of continuously pursuing their purpose with zeal and not just scratching the surface, it requires grit, determination silencing your mind chatter, and overall a holistic persona. Hence one needs to be mindful of their diet (food consumption, knowledge consumption, conversation, and even interactions) a well-balanced day requires careful planning and discipline that has to be managed with commitment and the 1st commitment begins with self. She ends her work day by 6 pm but during her day it is her systematic and planned methodology that ensures that she is on top of numbers, is mentoring her staff, and also taking care of the business affairs. During her late evening hours, she dedicates it to reading and self-growth. 

A goal can only become a reality by continuous learning, she learned to be an entrepreneur from a medical profession by constantly learning management, technology, and trends in the business and staying rooted to her principle of a good diet(Both for body, and mind and soul)

How has she led her life principles and some sharing for the women of today?

Pursue your goals with commitment and don’t limit yourself with the stereotype of your gender, reach out for support, take care of your own health, diet, exercise, talk to people and definitely hard work. Success would come through but prior remain focused on your goals.

This year IWD campaign talks about #IWD2023 #Embrace Equity essentially promoting equanimity and equity beyond gender bias but invested in driving a compassionate, inclusive, and collaborative approach to all those that require support.

Through her endeavour to create a great mentors, a thriving business that’s contributing towards global health via mindful and conscious choice Dr. Smita is in her own pursuance to do that for one and all truly propagating equity in wellbeing.

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Ayushakti is a Global Ayurveda Leader providing Ancient Proven Health Solutions. Ayushakti is proven effective in Asthma, shortness of breath and Allergies (treated 200,000), Chronic Back pain Knee pain and Arthritis (treated 400,000), Diabetes, Skin problems like Psoriasis, Eczema, Urticaria, Dermatitis (treated 200,000), PCOS and Infertility (treated 50,000), Blood pressure (treated50,000), Hair fall (treated 35,000), Kidney stone and Kidney disease (treated 25,000), Thyroid (treated 30,000), Acidity, Gastritis (treated 200,000), Depression, Stress, Anxiety ( treated 100,000), Insomnia (treated 50,000), memory and focus (treated 38,000), Fatty liver or liver disease (treated 50,000), Heart disease, Cardiovascular disease (treated 35,000), Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and many other chronic diseases with a wide network of Ayurvedic clinics and the team of expert Ayurvedic doctors.

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In Conversation With Shalini Gaba

Event | A Cooking Workshop on International Women’s Day at Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre Let’s CHAO This Women’s Day

A Cooking Workshop on International Women’s Day at Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre Let’s CHAO This Women’s Day 

Sunday, 07, March 2021: Pink City's leading Chinese Restaurant- CHAO, Holiday Inn Jaipur  City Centre hosted the women of the city on the occasion of International Women's Day for a Chinese Cookery Workshop. The workshop included the art of unique culinary, bringing  alive the flavors of China, by Mihir Kane, Executive Chef along with his team of experts at  Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre.  

The event was followed by an exclusive lunching experience at the venue with the most tantalizing and authentic Chinese recipes prepared at the workshop and an elaborated buffet thematic Brunch at the All-Day Dining Monarch. The Chinese Cookery Workshop was the perfect way to celebrate Women's Day and embrace women's power in the city stated  Vidhi Jain, Marketing Manager, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Centre. 

"The special Women's Day workshop included authentic Chinese & Japanese dishes like  Assorted Sushi & Dim sums, Hand at the Wok, Classic Asian Mocktails and got a chance to try their hands on oriental cooking techniques which were learned by the ones present throughout the Workshop," said Mihir Kane, Executive Chef, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Center. 

Mr. Pankaj Gupta, General Manager, Holiday Inn Jaipur City Center said, "The workshop was  a success, as we had planned to bring together the women of the city on the occasion of  Women's Day and had an amazing dining experience while enjoying the exquisite Chinese  flavors." 

CHAO's ambiance with its open setting offers family-style seating. The restaurant offers an exciting immersion in irresistible Chinese cuisine, prepared on the spot with an emphasis on simplicity and flavor. It is fascinating to watch the woks fly up while master chefs are stir-frying and tossing the delicacies at the dumpling & noodle station finally, dishing out savory,  made-to-order bowls. It gives guests the chance to indulge in an array of uncomplicated yet authentic dishes that offer a modern spin on traditional recipes from China's popular culinary destinations.  

For further details, please contact: 

Vidhi Jain  

Assistant Manager - Marketing & Communications  

+91-9116122087