Indian travellers to be driven by comfort-meets-curiosity trend in 2026: report

In 2026, travel will transform into a deeply personal act of self-expression, with Indian travellers embracing experiences that mirror their passions. Booking.com report shows that 91% are keen to visit romantasy-inspired destinations, while 79% are open to joining role-play retreats based on their favourite fantasy worlds, signalling a shift from passive sightseeing to immersive storytelling. 40% even plan to make such fantasy-driven escapes a regular part of their journeys. Technology is also amplifying this trend, with 90% welcoming AI-powered suggestions and an impressive 94% ready to book robotic-enhanced homes.

 In 2026, travellers will reject conventions and lean into passions that feel distinctive and truly their own. From adrenaline-fueled compatibility tests to mystical detours and stays in futuristic homes, every trip becomes a bold expression of individuality and identity: this is who I am, this is what I want and this is what I love. 

91% of Indian travellers say they’d be interested in visiting a destination inspired by romantasy, signalling a growing appetite for travel that blends fantasy and storytelling. 79% are open to participating in role-play retreats inspired by their favourite fantasy games, books, or films — showing a move from passive sightseeing to active, character-led experiences.

40% are interested in making such immersive, fantasy-driven escapes part of their future travel plans, reflecting a shift toward emotion-rich, imaginative tourism in 2025.

Technology is turning the page of this new escapism, with nine in ten Indian travellers (90%) open to AI-powered suggestions that match fantasy aesthetics, recommend secluded “storybook” stays, or pinpoint real-world filming locations. 

Indians are ready to embrace this next frontier of comfort-meets-curiosity, with 94% open to booking a robotic-enhanced home. Practical perks lead the way as nearly half of those interested (44%) say cleaning bots would sway their booking choice, while 37% are most excited about a robotic chef over a third (39%) want robots managing sustainability behind the scenes. But it’s not just about convenience. For many, it’s the novelty (32%) or even the bragging rights (33%) of staying in a home that feels straight out of science fiction. 

84% would consider traveling to a remote location to see how their companion handles ambiguity and discomfort. Another 82% are intrigued by role-reversal retreats, where the usual planner hands over control or the introvert takes the lead and 80% would embrace travel with severe constraints, such as budget limits, language barriers, or limited connectivity.

Meanwhile, 85% would take the backseat themselves to see if their travel partner steps up to plan the trip. Gen Z travellers are the most experimental of all, with 88% open to custom itineraries designed to simulate real-life dynamics and test connections in ways that will either soar or stall.

84% of Indian travellers say they would consider buying design-led kitchenware or pantry items on vacation, from hand-painted spice jars to tins of artisan olive oil that double as décor

79% say they would even consider travelling to a destination specifically known for its pantry products or kitchenware.

This shift is as much about meaning as aesthetics. A third (33%) say edible souvenirs help them relive a destination each time they cook, while 37% value how these items showcase local craft, sustainability, and traditional methods. For others, exclusivity and style play a role, with 30% choosing destinations for rare souvenirs, limited-edition cookware or packaging that looks as good on a shelf as it does on social media.

Travellers are drawn to road trips that make travel more spontaneous and flexible (93%), lets them meet new people (92%), and allow them to share driving responsibilities (88%).

For non-drivers especially, carpooling and autonomous vehicles transform previously inaccessible routes into shared adventures, expanding a sense of freedom Younger generations are leading the way, with 87% of Indian Gen Z open to using self-drive vehicles or AI to shape their routes, compared with just half of Boomers. Technology continues to unlock new possibilities in other ways on the road as well, with 86% of Indian travellers saying they would use AI or generative AI to map scenic, off-the-beaten-track routes tailored to their trip desires. 

Almost eight out of ten Indian travellers (74%) say they would consider changing or cancelling their plans if a spiritual advisor or guide suggested it was not the right time, while 70% would reconsider trips based on a horoscope warning and two third (66%) would adjust if Mercury was in retrograde. Many actively seek experiences that align with mystical or astrological cues. 64% say they consider such influences when planning vacations, from timing trips with moon phases or solstices to visiting energy-rich sites. Gen Z (73%) and more than half of millennials (63%) are particularly attuned to this sense of spiritual exploration, proving that for younger generations, the path to self-discovery might just be written in the stars.

Indians (86%) saying they would consider using AI to identify destinations aligned with their personal skin needs), high-touch journeys centered on the body’s largest organ: the skin.

The appetite for personalisation runs deeper than ever, with a similar 86% open to personalised hydration stations that adapt to local climate and activity, while 80% are intrigued by smart mirrors analysing pores and hydration to provide real-time skincare advice.

Sleep optimisation is also central, with 86% interested in enhancement suites designed with circadian lighting and soundscapes to improve rest, a vital factor in skin repair and regeneration.

56% of Indian travellers say they would vacation to feel closer to nature, including 50% of Gen Z, reflecting a growing desire for restorative, mindful escapes. Nearly one in four (23%) are turning to “quieter” hobbies on vacation, seeking rituals of patience, reflection, and stress relief.

91% would consider staying at a hotel offering foraging experiences in local wilderness hotspots, 90% would consider fishing or birdwatching as part of their travel plans and 83% would consider moth/butterfly watching or insect spotting during their vacation.

Most Indian travellers (89%) say they would consider recreating a memory or photo by using technology to identify the exact location it was taken and then traveling there. More than half of these travellers (56%) say their main motivation would be to revisit a memory with family or close friends, while 49% are drawn to destinations that make them feel young, connected or at home. 44% even see these journeys as milestones, whether to reflect on personal growth, reconnect with people from the past or even gain closure by returning to places tied to difficult memories.

More than two-thirds (71%) of Indian travellers say they don’t need a reason to book a trip, while almost a third (31%) say they’d go to a dream destination without waiting for a “traditional” milestone to make it worthy. This new wave of modern milestone missions highlights how travellers are embracing personal achievements on their own terms and using travel as a way of celebrating their individuality. 81% of Indians justify booking a vacation simply because they’ve worked hard and deserve it, while new reasons to book a trip are rising to the forefront: toasting a new job or promotion (34%), showing off a new outfit (18%), marking the closure of a breakup (15%) and receiving a surprise tax refund (13%).

Health and wellbeing achievements are also emerging as powerful motivators, with 32% traveling to mark milestones like sobriety or fitness transformations.

Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com said “As we step into 2026, travel is shifting from a simple getaway and to a form of self-expression. Journeys are now intimately built around interests that were once considered too niche or personal to explore. Travellers are using trips to test their relationships, step into fantasy worlds, transform their homes through culinary souvenirs and reimagine familiar experiences like road trips and vacation rentals with cutting-edge technology. At Booking.com, we’re continuously evolving to meet this demand, ensuring every traveller can easily find the choice, flexibility  and convenience needed to turn their dream trip into reality.”