Shillong most popular destination for Indian travellers in 2025, says report

NEW DELHI, Oct 23: Shillong pips Azerbaijan’s historic capital city Baku as the most popular destination for Indian travellers for the coming year, reveals the new “Travel Trends Report” by global travel app Skyscanner.
Shillong is the only city to feature in the list as part of the annual report, released on Wednesday.
The report, which offers insights into the pulse of Indian travellers in the coming year, claimed that 66 per cent of Indians plan to “travel more” in the coming year.
“Known as the Scotland of the East, Shillong in India sits on top among the most buzzing destinations followed by Baku in Azerbaijan and Langkawi in Malaysia known for their diverse experiences and the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure for travellers.
“Other destinations that Indians are searching for are Tromso in Norway, Tashkent in Uzbekistan, and al-Ula in Saudi Arabia, highlighting that Indian travellers are seeking unforgettable and diverse experiences in newer destinations,” read the report with the sample size of 1,000 Indian respondents.
It has also come out with another list, called “Best Value Destinations category”, which names the cities that give the most value for their money and have seen the biggest airfare price drop from India over the last year.
“So, topping the list is Almaty in Kazakhstan for which the flight prices have fallen by a little less than half (44 per cent), followed closely by Jakarta in Indonesia (27 per cent), Singapore and Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia both 19 per cent each,” it said.
According to the report, cost is an important consideration for value-driven Indians, with the cost of hotels (65 per cent), flights (62 per cent), and food and drinks (54 per cent) being important factors in the decision-making process.
“Cost remains a crucial factor in decision-making as travellers choose their next adventure,” said Mohit Joshi, Skyscanner’s travel and destinations expert.
The data from the report also reveals an exciting shift towards shared experiences and immersive adventures – inviting travellers to discover the world together in new and inspiring ways.
While 44 per cent – those aged between 25 and 34 – are excited to attend live sports events, eager to support their favourite teams alongside fellow fans; 47 per cent are on the lookout for immersive art experiences that invite active participation.
“Skyscanner has captured this growing excitement, showing a spike in flight bookings ahead of major sporting events like Formula 1. According to the data, Abu Dhabi (6-8 Dec) shows a 188 per cent rise in bookings on December 2 ahead of the race. Previously, Singapore (Sept 20-22) also witnessed a remarkable 189 per cent increase in flight bookings on September 18 compared to the previous day,” the report added. (PTI)