Experience-First Travel: How Indian Travellers Are Redefining The Meaning Of A Holiday

The Indian holiday is undergoing a quiet but decisive shift. Where travel once revolved around ticking off landmarks and squeezing multiple destinations into tight itineraries, today’s traveller is slowing down and seeking depth, meaning, and memory-making moments instead. Experiences now sit at the heart of travel decisions, shaping not just where Indians go, but why they go. From cultural immersion and nature-led journeys to milestone celebrations and passion-driven trips, holidays are no longer about distance covered, but stories returned with.

The Rise Of Experience-First Travel

“Indian travellers are reshaping holidays by prioritising experiences over traditional sightseeing. The focus has shifted from visiting multiple landmarks to planning trips around moments that feel

meaningful, immersive, and memorable,” says Akansha Agarwal, Co-founder & Chief Marketing Officer, Int2Cruises, noting a clear move away from rushed itineraries.

This evolution has naturally propelled formats like cruising into the spotlight. “Cruises align seamlessly with experience-first travel,” Agarwal explains, as they combine destination-rich journeys with curated onboard experiences – eliminating logistical fatigue while maximising immersion.

Travel Driven By Seasons, Culture, And Purpose

What defines today’s travel calendar is intent. Seasonal and cultural cues are shaping itineraries more than ever. “Japan continues to attract travelers during cherry blossom season and for Kyoto’s temple heritage and food culture,” Agarwal notes. Meanwhile, Northern Europe’s Northern Lights, fjord routes, and ice-breaking adventures are drawing experience-seekers, while Antarctica has emerged as a bucket-list destination for exploration-oriented travellers.

Nature-led timing – whether turtle nesting seasons or whale migrations – is also influencing when and where Indians travel, reinforcing the desire to witness moments that feel rare and fleeting.

Affinity-Led Itineraries And Passion Travel

Travel is increasingly built around personal interests. “Affinity-driven travel is shaping how holidays are planned,” Agarwal shares, pointing to travellers flying to Scotland or Spain to play iconic golf courses like St. Andrews and Valderrama, or choosing destinations based on culinary identity – Japan for Kaiseki, Italy for vineyard trails, Thailand for street food immersion.

Cultural calendars play a similar role. From La Tomatina in Spain to Christmas markets across Europe and festive experiences in Finland, travellers are syncing holidays with events that bring destinations alive.

Why Cruises And Multi-Experience Formats Are Rising

According to Varun Chadha, Chief Executive Officer, TIRUN Travel Marketing, the shift is clear: “Experience-driven travel is becoming more popular among Indian tourists than destination-driven travel. Travels that provide several experiences in one trip such as cultural immersion, well-planned excursions, and easy logistics, are becoming more and more popular.” The appeal lies in simplicity and richness.

Chadha highlights celebration and milestone travel as another strong driver. “Experience-rich vacations are becoming more popular than standard sightseeing for birthdays, anniversaries, corporate groups, and multigenerational travel.” For today’s Indian traveller, “the real destination is experience.”

Short Breaks, Bigger Intent

Data mirrors sentiment. Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, reveals that “domestic bookings have jumped by around 30 to 32 per cent compared to last year,” driven largely by experience-led short escapes. Travellers are also planning ahead. “Lead times have extended from roughly nine days to nearly 15–20 days,” he notes, signalling a preference for curated travel.

Scenic retreats, heritage towns, coastal getaways, and compact international trips are seeing strong interest. “Holidays are no longer just a pause from routine. They are an opportunity to recharge meaningfully,” Pittie says.

Experience-first travel reflects a more confident, intentional Indian traveller: one who values immersion over movement and meaning over mileage. Whether through cultural deep-dives, passion-led itineraries, or thoughtfully designed short breaks, holidays today are crafted to leave a lasting imprint. The journey may be shorter, but the memories are richer, and that’s redefining the very idea of a holiday.