Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 Shows Indians Prioritising Wellness and Value
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 reveals that Indian travellers are increasingly planning holidays around personal interests, meaningful experiences and value for money, rather than simply choosing a destination and booking a conventional sightseeing trip. The report finds that 58% of Indians plan to travel abroad more in 2027, even as affordability continues to influence where they go and how they spend.
Released on October 14, 2026, the report draws on Skyscanner’s travel search data and a survey of 2,000 Indian travellers conducted by OnePoll in July 2026. It identifies seven emerging trends, ranging from digital detox holidays and fitness-focused stays to music experiences, history-inspired journeys and trips built around exclusive purchases.
The findings suggest that travellers are not necessarily cutting back on holidays. Instead, many are becoming more deliberate about the experiences they want and the value they expect from their spending.
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 Highlights Seven New Travel Behaviours
The report identifies seven trends expected to influence Indian travel choices in the coming year.
Signal Severance reflects growing interest in switching off from smartphones and reconnecting with nature. Although 43% of respondents said it takes time to stop checking their phones while travelling, 75% believe they would feel more connected to nature without their devices, while 73% expect to feel more connected to themselves.
Pilgra-merch describes travelling specifically to buy exclusive products, souvenirs or merchandise that are difficult to find elsewhere. Eighty per cent of respondents said they had visited a destination or store to purchase a location-exclusive item. The trend is particularly pronounced among younger travellers, with 84% of Gen Z respondents and 82% of millennials reporting such trips.
Sten Do Surge reflects the growing popularity of joint pre-wedding celebrations that bring together friends and couples rather than separating traditional stag and hen parties. Seventy-three per cent of Indian respondents preferred either a shared celebration or a combination of shared and separate events.
Grand Odysseys captures interest in holidays inspired by history, architecture and mythology. The report found that 89% of respondents had drawn travel inspiration from historical events, classical stories or myths. Historical figures, architectural wonders and mythological legends were significant influences.
Gymcation describes holidays built around fitness and wellness. The findings show that 91% of respondents were likely to book a hotel offering breakfast options focused on nutrition and performance, while 53% actively considered fitness facilities when choosing accommodation.
Sound Bound highlights travel motivated by music and distinctive performance venues. The report found that 43% of respondents chose carnival experiences, while 38% preferred unusual settings such as caves, pyramids or volcanoes for music-related experiences.
Currency Chasers reflects the growing importance of exchange rates and destination affordability. Sixty-nine per cent of respondents said they always or often considered currency strength when booking holidays, while 67% had changed or considered changing a destination because another option offered better value.
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 Identifies Rising Destinations
The report also identifies destinations that have recorded substantial increases in flight searches. Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan leads the trending destinations list, while two Indian locations, Rupsi in Assam and Malvan in Maharashtra, also feature prominently.
The top 10 destinations ranked by increases in flight searches are:
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan — 748% increase
- Rupsi, India — 502%
- Okinawa, Japan — 279%
- Malvan, India — 258%
- Tirana, Albania — 237%
- Podgorica, Montenegro — 236%
- Sandakan, Malaysia — 189%
- Pokhara, Nepal — 166%
- Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei — 139%
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam — 133%
These figures compare flight searches between January 1 and June 17, 2026, with the same period in 2025, for travel throughout 2026. They indicate rising search interest, rather than confirmed bookings or guaranteed future demand.
The presence of Rupsi and Malvan suggests that domestic destinations can attract growing interest alongside international locations. For travellers, less familiar destinations may offer alternatives to established tourist hubs, depending on connectivity, accommodation and the experiences available.
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 Reveals Where Travellers Can Find Value
Affordability remains central to holiday planning, even among travellers who intend to spend more. Skyscanner’s report identifies destinations where return economy airfare prices fell compared with the same period in the previous year.
Jaisalmer in India leads the best-value list, with a reported 43% price drop. Other destinations include Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Kozhikode and Jodhpur in India, and several international locations.
The 10 destinations with the largest reported price drops are:
- Jaisalmer, India — 43%
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan — 30%
- Kozhikode, India — 29%
- Jodhpur, India — 25%
- Baku, Azerbaijan — 17%
- Cebu, Philippines — 17%
- Krabi, Thailand — 17%
- Gaya, India — 15%
- Phuket, Thailand — 11%
- Christchurch, New Zealand — 8%
The comparison is based on economy-class return flights booked between January 1 and June 17, 2026, for travel throughout 2026, against the equivalent period in 2025. These historical price changes do not guarantee that the same fares will be available for trips booked in 2027.
The results nevertheless highlight how price comparisons can influence destination decisions. With 67% of respondents saying they had changed or considered changing their holiday destination for better value, flexibility is becoming an important part of travel planning.
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 Shows AI Becoming a Travel Planning Tool
Artificial intelligence is also playing a growing role in how Indian travellers research and organise holidays. According to the report, 87% of respondents said they were confident using AI to plan and book travel.
Skyscanner says travellers are using AI tools to explore destinations, compare options and develop ideas into potential itineraries. Its Explore with AI feature is designed to help users turn broad travel inspiration into trip possibilities, while Price Alerts and price-tracking features can help them monitor fares.
The findings also point to the continued influence of social platforms. YouTube was cited by 78% of respondents as a source of travel inspiration, followed by Instagram at 69%. Meanwhile, 30% said they were already turning to AI chatbots and tools for travel ideas.
However, confidence in AI does not remove the need to check information. Travellers still need to verify prices, booking conditions, visa requirements and other practical details before committing to a trip.
For travel platforms, the opportunity is to combine intelligent discovery tools with accurate pricing and reliable booking information, helping consumers make more informed decisions.
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 Points to More Personalised Holidays
The report’s central finding is that Indian travellers are looking for holidays that reflect their interests, routines and priorities. Some want to disconnect from digital distractions, while others are planning around fitness, cultural experiences, music or purchases they cannot make at home.
At the same time, the intention to travel more internationally coexists with careful spending. More than half of respondents plan to spend more on flights, while 44% expect to spend more on accommodation. The challenge for travellers will be balancing these priorities with their overall budgets.
For the travel industry, these trends create opportunities to offer more targeted destination recommendations, flexible itineraries and tools that make price comparisons easier. The most successful travel services may be those that help people find experiences that match their interests without losing sight of affordability.
Skyscanner Travel Trends 2027 suggests that the next phase of travel planning will be less about simply getting away and more about deciding what makes a journey worthwhile.