India Leads Asia in Spiritual Travel Plans for 2026

Agoda’s 2026 Travel Outlook Report shows that faith and tradition continue to drive travel decisions in India, with 19% of Indian travelers expecting to take a spiritually motivated trip in 2026. This is the highest proportion among Asian markets surveyed, followed by Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, and Thailand.

Major spiritual events have a significant impact on travel patterns. In 2025, Prayagraj recorded a 233% increase in accommodation searches on Agoda during the Maha Kumbh Mela, a religious gathering held every twelve years that attracts pilgrims and travelers from India and abroad.

India’s festival calendar also shapes travel demand. During Holi, destinations known for temple rituals and celebrations saw notable increases in travel interest, with Pushkar experiencing a 195% rise in accommodation searches, Vrindavan a 126%, and Mathura a 109% increase.

Destinations with spiritual significance and cultural experiences continue to draw visitors. Indian travelers often plan journeys that combine pilgrimage gatherings with festival-linked travel, reflecting the ongoing influence of faith on travel decisions.

The report highlights opportunities for traditional and spiritual destinations to enhance their connection with travelers through digital tools. Expanding access to real-time information, such as opening hours, ticketing, and visitor guidelines, could facilitate trip planning, especially for international visitors. Increased digitization through online platforms can also streamline bookings and improve discoverability for these destinations.

The 2026 Travel Outlook Report is based on Agoda’s analysis of travel patterns and user searches related to spiritual and festival-linked travel in India and other Asian markets. The figures cited pertain to the share of travelers planning spiritually motivated trips and the percentage increases in accommodation searches during specific events and festivals.