Indian Parents Lead the Way in Family Travel Trends for 2025: Booking.com

Travel in 2025 is becoming more meaningful and shared for Indian parents, shifting from simple leisure to include bonding, cultural immersion, and purposeful spending. With 75 per cent of Indian parents making travel a top priority each year, compared to 58 per cent across the Asia-Pacific region and 53 per cent worldwide, Booking.com reveals key insights and trends shaping how families are travelling this year.

From Weddings to Reunions
In 2025, travel for Indian parents is a vibrant expression of values and traditions, blending discovery with bonding. Whether exploring new cultures or reconnecting with their roots, Indian parents increasingly value mutual journeys with their children and loved ones. Simultaneously, they are embracing solo travel, reflecting a desire to balance family adventures with personal growth. When choosing destinations, Asia remains the top choice for Indian travellers (62 per cent), followed by Europe (55 per cent) and North America (26 per cent).

Nearly all Indian parents (98 per cent) plan to travel domestically at least once in 2025, while 90 per cent intend to travel internationally. Three out of four plan trips with their immediate family, and 79 per cent also plan solo journeys.

A strong 92 per cent believe it’s important to expose their children to diverse cultures, while 90 per cent emphasise the value of connecting with their own cultural heritage. Social occasions remain a key motivator for travel — 73 per cent of Indian parents plan to attend weddings, 63 per cent to reunite with loved ones, and 41 per cent to visit family or friends.

Top reasons for travel include spending quality time as a family (72 per cent), improving their mood (71 per cent), relaxation (68 per cent), and mental unwinding (63 per cent).

Redefining Spending: Luxury and Value Combined
Indian parents are rethinking their travel budgets for 2025, with most planning to spend more. They are investing not only in essentials like accommodation, dining, and shopping but also in creating memorable experiences. Sharing travel costs is a priority — 92 per cent are willing to contribute to their partner’s trip, and 86 per cent to their children’s.

Seventy-eight per cent plan to allocate a higher overall travel budget, favouring one or two longer trips (76 per cent) and multiple shorter breaks (76 per cent). To reduce costs, 70 per cent are willing to travel during off-peak seasons or take longer routes, while almost half are prepared to take longer trips (47 per cent) and spend more on activities and food (46 per cent). Specifically, 65 per cent intend to spend more on restaurants, 68 per cent on shopping, and 58 per cent on accommodation.

Moreover, 63 per cent are planning last-minute trips to find deals, and 58 per cent are willing to spend extravagantly to ensure an exceptional experience.

Technology and AI: Making Travel Smarter and Easier
Indian families are increasingly turning to technology to streamline their travel, making it more personalised and meaningful. An impressive 91 per cent rely on digital tools to discover authentic experiences, with AI becoming a trusted companion in planning.

88 per cent of Indian parents are confident in using AI for travel planning, believing it speeds up the process and improves accuracy. They utilise AI for safety tips (57 per cent), restaurant suggestions (52 per cent), accommodation (48 per cent), activities (47 per cent), and finding special deals (40 per cent).

Santosh Kumar, Country Manager for India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia at Booking.com said, “Indian parents are embracing travel in 2025 with a deeper sense of purpose—blending cultural connection, family bonding and personal growth. With 75 per cent making travel a top priority, they’re planning journeys that are more intentional and value-driven. From investing in shared experiences to balancing luxury with smart budgeting and embracing technology, they are redefining what meaningful travel looks like. At Booking.com, we are committed to supporting these evolving priorities by offering the flexibility, choice and convenience families need to plan unforgettable trips—by providing unique places to stay, great things to do and a wide range of transport options, from flights to rental cars.”