(NEWS) SINGAPORE, 2026-Aug-11 — /Travel PR News/ — Indian travellers are showing clear differences in how they plan late-summer trips, with solo travellers leaning toward major cities, cultural destinations and scenic escapes, while groups are searching more actively for hill stations, pilgrimage centres and relaxed leisure breaks.
Agoda’s latest accommodation search data for the 2026 late-summer travel season suggests that travel preferences in India are becoming more personal and more strongly shaped by who is taking the trip.
For solo travellers, metropolitan cities remain highly visible in search behaviour. Mumbai and New Delhi hold the top two positions, reflecting the continued appeal of large urban centres for travellers who want flexibility, strong transport links, food, nightlife and the freedom to explore independently.
But the solo travel picture is not limited to big cities. Udaipur is attracting interest for its lakeside setting, palaces and walkable old city, while Tirupati points to steady demand for solo pilgrimage travel. Leh, Munnar and Srinagar also feature among solo traveller searches, highlighting interest in Himalayan landscapes, tea-country stays and slower scenic escapes.
Together, those choices suggest that solo travel is becoming more varied. Some travellers are looking for the energy and convenience of city breaks, while others are choosing trips shaped by heritage, spirituality, nature and personal reflection.
Group travellers are showing a different pattern. According to Agoda, destinations such as Puri, Rishikesh, Haridwar and Ujjain remain attractive for groups because of their religious, cultural and spiritual significance.
At the same time, hill stations continue to play a strong role in group travel planning. Nainital, Mussoorie and Shimla are drawing interest from families and friends looking for cooler climates, mountain settings and shared leisure time.
Wayanad also appears in the data, pointing to growing interest in nature-led destinations where groups can slow down and spend time together away from busier urban routines.
The common thread across group searches is the importance of shared experience. Whether the trip is built around a temple visit, a mountain escape or a quieter nature retreat, the destination choices suggest that Indian group travellers are looking for places that work across generations and interests.
Agoda also noted that Goa continues to show broad appeal, emerging as a top area of interest for both solo travellers and groups. Its mix of beaches, leisure activities, nightlife, relaxed stays and accessibility helps it remain relevant across different types of trips.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said travel preferences are becoming increasingly personal. He noted that solo travellers are drawn to relaxation, self-discovery and flexibility, while groups are looking for destinations where they can create shared memories.
The findings reflect a wider shift in how Indian travellers are thinking about domestic travel. Rather than choosing destinations only by popularity, travellers are increasingly matching places to the purpose of the trip: independence, family time, spiritual connection, scenery, rest or celebration.
Agoda says it offers access to more than 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes and over 300,000 activities, allowing travellers to book stays, flights and experiences together in one place.
For India’s late-summer travel season, the message from the search data is clear: the destination matters, but so does the company. Solo travellers are looking for freedom and self-directed discovery, while groups are choosing places where time together becomes the main reason to travel.
