Indian Traveller Trends Reveal Stays Are Now Seen As Destinations Themselves, Shaping Hospitality and Travel

The Rise of Experience-Centric Travel in India

Indian travellers are turning the traditional idea of a trip on its head — focusing less on merely reaching a destination and more on immersing themselves in the very places they stay. Recent studies highlight that nearly 80% of Indian travellers now view accommodations as central to their entire travel experience, transforming stays into destinations in their own right.

This shift is driven by a desire for unique, immersive experiences and is fueled by technology like AI-driven trip planning and frictionless digital payments. Rather than just booking a place to rest, travellers are seeking out boutique hotels, homestays, and experimental lodging options that offer everything from wellness retreats to cultural workshops.

Distinct Traveller Profiles Leading This Change

The new wave of experience-focused travel is powered by diverse Indian traveller segments, each with unique motivators:

• Trip Architects: Typically women aged 26-55, these travellers lead destination and budget planning, placing value on meaningful, curated experiences.
• Next-gen Co-pilots: Younger family members under 15 influence travel decisions with their preferences for engaging, often youthful activities.
• Unscripted Explorers: In their 30s, they prefer themed getaways focusing on food, nature, or wellness over traditional sightseeing.
• Timeless Travellers: Those 60 and above often seek cultural and spiritual reconnection with heritage through their stays.

The Stay as the Story

More than 80% of Indian travellers allocate the majority of their holiday time within their accommodations, far exceeding the global average. This trend is pushing hotels and resorts to evolve beyond basic lodging to creators of integrated experiences.

Today, luxury resorts host art pop-ups, wellness retreats, and community workshops, transforming themselves into hubs of cultural and social engagement. This evolution also means that dining, events, and other non-room services account for nearly 50% of revenue in premium hospitality segments.

Spiritual and Cultural Travel is Booming

Spiritual tourism holds a significant place, with over 16 million pilgrim visits expected to Ayodhya alone in 2024. The spiritual tourism market in India is estimated to be worth $59 billion, with planned openings of more than 300 premium hotels in key destinations like Katra, Puri, and Tirupati.

Technology and Seamless Payments Transforming Travel

Technology plays a pivotal role in simplifying travel for Indian consumers. An impressive 83% report that artificial intelligence aids them in planning and optimizing their trips, using it to personalize itineraries and receive community-driven recommendations.

Meanwhile, payments technologies such as UPI, Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL), and flexible card options enable smoother and quicker bookings, especially among younger travellers. These innovations reduce friction in the booking process and encourage more confident travel decisions.

Market Growth and Expanding Opportunities

Domestic travel in India surged from 103 million searches in 2022 to 141 million in 2024, signaling a fast-growing interest in travel within the country. Hotel demand itself is projected to expand annually by 10.5%, growing the total room supply from 2.48 million in 2024 to an estimated 3.1 million by 2029.

Interestingly, nearly 70% of India’s lodging sector is unbranded, highlighting growth potential for independent and boutique operators, as well as in tier-II and tier-III cities. Government initiatives encouraging regional tourism circuits are further accelerating this trend, focusing on sustainable and inclusive growth.

Konsekvenser för taxi- och transfertjänster

This shift towards immersive, experience-led stays means more travellers will value comfort and convenience before and after their lodgings. Transfer services, especially taxis and private hires, must adapt by offering tailored services such as punctual pickups, vehicle choices catering to groups of different sizes, and professional drivers skilled at navigating both city destinations and remote retreats.

Platforms like GetTransfer.com cater to such evolving needs by allowing users to select specific vehicles — be it a luxury limousine or a spacious seater — with full transparency on make, model, and driver ratings. This level of detail helps ensure travellers’ seamless transitions from airports to their unique stays, aligning with the demand for personalised, transparent travel services.

The Takeaway

The trend among Indian travellers to treat their accommodations as pivotal elements of the trip signals a broader transformation in travel culture—experience superseding mere transit. Hotels and resorts are responding by elevating the value of in-stay capabilities while technology enhances the ease and personalization of travel planning and booking.

This evolving landscape presents exciting opportunities for all travel-related services, especially transfers, where attention to detail, transparency, and flexibility become paramount to meet the modern traveller’s expectations.

While reviews and expert insights provide valuable guidance, nothing replaces firsthand experience. On GetTransfer.com, travellers gain access to verified car rental providers offering competitive prices and a broad selection of vehicles paired with qualified drivers. This empowers users to make informed decisions, avoiding unnecessary costs or disappointments.

With options ranging from affordable cabs to private limousines, and the ability to view exact vehicle details, seat availability, driver licenses, and ratings upfront, the platform embraces transparency and convenience in a way few others do. Book your Ride on GetTransfer.com to enjoy hassle-free, tailored transfers at competitive fares.

Blickar framåt

The expanding focus on experience-driven travel in India, although not immediately globally game-changing, marks a significant evolution that shapes regional tourism dynamics and hospitality trends. GetTransfer.com stays aligned with these developments, ensuring travellers have access to transfers that match their new expectations for quality, customization, and efficiency.

Start planning your next adventure and secure your worldwide transfer with GetTransfer. The platform’s commitment to transparency, affordability, and wide vehicle selection makes it an ideal partner for the evolving needs of today’s discerning traveller.