Women Drive India’s Travel And Hospitality Trends

Celebrating Women Who Host, Travel And Transform India

This International Women’s Day, Airbnb celebrates the growing community of women hosts and travellers who are shaping hospitality and travel trends across India. Women make up nearly 30 per cent of Airbnb hosts in the country and manage close to 35 per cent of Guest Favourite listings, underscoring their significant role in delivering outstanding guest experiences and influencing local tourism.

Aligned with this year’s theme, “Give to Gain,” Airbnb acknowledges how women contribute to stronger communities through hosting and travel. By opening their homes and sharing their culture and local insights, women hosts are creating economic opportunities not just for themselves, but also for the communities around them.

Amanpreet Singh Bajaj, Airbnb’s Country Head for India and Southeast Asia, said “Women who host are not just building successful businesses, but also strengthening local economies and communities. When women share their homes, skills and stories, they create opportunities not just for themselves, but for others around them. In turn, guests contribute to local livelihoods, helping circulate value deeper into communities. When women thrive, entire communities benefit.”

Beyond hosting, Indian women travellers are also increasingly shaping travel trends on Airbnb. Duo travel followed by small group trips remained the most popular trip type amongst Indian women travellers. In terms of destinations, internationally Dubai, London, Bangkok, Paris, Ubud, Amsterdam, Tokyo and Rome were the most searched destinations for Indian women trave;lers in 2025. Domestically, North and South Goa, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Jaipur, Gurugram, and Pune District were the most searched destinations.

Women travellers are also increasingly exploring emerging and culturally rich destinations. Dakshina Kannada and Mathura both recorded approximately 50 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings, signalling rising interest in spiritual, heritage and nature-led travel. Internationally, the town of Kazbegi in Georgia recorded an over 100 per cent year-on-year increase in bookings on Airbnb.

This growing momentum toward emerging and off-beat destinations reflects a broader shift among women travellers toward more intentional, experience-led journeys, where travel not only creates personal memories but also supports local communities and smaller tourism ecosystems.

Airbnb has also been working to strengthen this ecosystem through initiatives such as the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy in Goa, the first of its kind in India. The program equips aspiring homestay entrepreneurs with skills in hospitality, business fundamentals and sustainable hosting, with a dedicated focus on empowering women and supporting rural communities. Many of the organizations in India receiving donations from the Airbnb Community Fund this year also work to advance opportunities for women. 

Sharing her journey, Babita, a Host in Uttarakhand who upskilled through the Airbnb Entrepreneurship Academy, said, “Before the Airbnb Academy training, we were running a homestay without really knowing how. Airbnb taught us important skills like how to register, how to host, and how to share our culture. It gave me the confidence to grow my small idea into a sustainable livelihood.”