From Digital Detoxes To Music Trips, Skyscanner Reveals Travel Trends For 2027

Travel plans are increasingly shaped by what people want to experience, rather than simply where they want to go. For some, that could mean booking a trip to disconnect from their phones, while others might cross borders for an exclusive souvenir, follow a musical trail, or plan a holiday around fitness. Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report explores these changing preferences, highlighting seven trends expected to influence how Indians plan and experience their holidays in the coming year.

Launched on October 8, 2026, the report draws on Skyscanner’s search data, insights from 2,000 Indian travellers, and contributions from industry partners. It also incorporates findings from a wider study of more than 28,000 travellers worldwide. Despite shifting economic conditions and rising costs, the appetite for international travel remains strong, with 58 per cent of Indians planning to travel abroad more in 2027. Meanwhile, 56 per cent expect to spend more on flights, and 44 per cent plan to increase their accommodation budgets.

Travel Beyond Screens

One of the report’s key trends, Signal Severance, points to a growing desire to disconnect from digital distractions while travelling. Although switching off is easier said than done, 43 per cent of Indian travellers say they need some time to stop checking their phones at the beginning of a trip. Only 23 per cent manage to disconnect immediately. However, 75 per cent believe going without their phones would help them feel more connected to nature, while 73 per cent expect to feel more connected to themselves.

Destinations offering opportunities to spend time outdoors and take a break from constant connectivity could benefit from this shift. Pokhara in Nepal, Agatti in Lakshadweep, and Phu Quoc in Vietnam are among the destinations seeing increased search interest in connection with digital disconnection.

Music is another reason travellers are rethinking their itineraries. Under the Sound Bound trend, the focus extends beyond large concert venues to include carnivals, cultural performances, and unconventional locations. According to the report, 43 per cent of Indian travellers are drawn to carnival experiences, while 38 per cent prefer music events in distinctive settings such as caves, pyramids, and volcanoes. Musical genre remains the leading consideration for 27 per cent of respondents, followed by cultural immersion at 20 per cent and the opportunity to experience a new venue at 19 per cent.

Experiences Over Things

Travel is also becoming an opportunity to find items that cannot easily be purchased elsewhere. Skyscanner calls this trend Pilgra-merch, referring to journeys undertaken to acquire location-exclusive merchandise and souvenirs. The report finds that 80 per cent of Indian travellers have visited a particular destination or store to purchase an exclusive item. The inclination is particularly pronounced among younger consumers, with 84 per cent of Gen Z respondents and 82 per cent of Millennials having travelled for such purchases. Nearly half of those surveyed would even consider flying for three to six hours to buy something unavailable elsewhere.

Meanwhile, changing attitudes towards pre-wedding celebrations are influencing group travel. Sten Do Surge describes the growing preference for joint celebrations that bring together friends and family, rather than separating traditional bachelor and bachelorette parties. The report finds that 73 per cent of Indian travellers favour either a shared celebration or a combination of joint and separate events. The main motivations include having fun, spending more time together before the wedding, convenience, and potential cost savings.

Fitness is also becoming part of the holiday equation. The Gymcation trend reflects the demand for trips that accommodate exercise and nutritious eating, whether through hotel gyms, running routes, or wellness-focused facilities. According to the report, 91 per cent of Indian travellers are likely to book a hotel offering nutritious breakfast options, while 53 per cent actively look for fitness facilities and may choose one property over another based on its fitness offerings.

Value Shapes Choices

Budget considerations remain central to destination decisions. Under Currency Chasers, Skyscanner identifies a growing tendency to compare destinations based on currency strength and overall spending power. The report finds that 69 per cent of Indian travellers always or often consider a destination’s currency when booking a holiday, while 67 per cent have changed or considered changing their plans because another destination offered better value. Among Gen Z travellers, the latter figure rises to 77 per cent.

History and mythology are also inspiring journeys. Grand Odysseys explores how historical events, architectural landmarks, and legendary narratives influence travel choices. According to the report, 89 per cent of Indian respondents have had their travel plans inspired by a historical event, a classical story, or mythology. Historical figures, architectural wonders, and mythological legends were cited by 61 per cent, 57 per cent, and 52 per cent of respondents, respectively.

Skyscanner has also identified ten destinations recording the strongest year-on-year increases in search interest for 2027. These include Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan, Rupsi and Malvan in India, Okinawa in Japan, Tirana in Albania, Podgorica in Montenegro, Sandakan in Malaysia, Pokhara in Nepal, Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei, and Phu Quoc in Vietnam.

For travellers seeking more affordable holidays, the report highlights destinations where flight prices have fallen. Jaisalmer leads the list with a 43 per cent decrease, followed by Tashkent in Uzbekistan at 30 per cent, Kozhikode at 29 per cent, and Jodhpur at 25 per cent.

Technology is expected to play a greater role in bringing these plans together. Skyscanner reports that 87 per cent of Indian travellers feel confident using artificial intelligence to plan and book trips. More than half intend to use AI for destination research, while one in two use it to compare flights, accommodation, and prices. YouTube and Instagram remain leading sources of travel inspiration, cited by 78 per cent and 69 per cent of respondents, respectively.

Taken together, the findings suggest that travel in 2027 will be shaped by a more considered approach to spending, alongside a desire for personal interests, cultural connections, and experiences that extend beyond conventional sightseeing.

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