India’s travel landscape in 2025 was defined by cultural milestones, digital inspiration, and renewed spiritual engagement, according to The Great Indian Travel Index 2025 released by ixigo, India’s leading AI-driven travel platform. The report analyses travel behaviour across flights, trains, and buses, showing a 45 per cent rise in flight searches, 20 per cent growth in train bookings, and 42 per cent increase in bus travel compared to 2024.Cinematic storytelling reshaped travel trends in 2025. The on-screen portrayal of the region’s natural and cultural diversity translated into a real-world tourism boom.Gen Z emerged as the key growth segment behind India’s spiritual travel revival, led by the Maha Kumbh. Notably, monsoon-season travel grew by 35–40 per cent , turning July–September into a new leisure window for short-haul, nature-led breaks.Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, and Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO, ixigo, said: “2025 highlighted how faith, aspiration, and connectivity are reshaping India’s travel map. Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities are driving the next wave of growth, with over 50 per cent of new flight bookers being first-time flyers.”

Source: Economic Times December 27, 2025 12:45 UTC