Digital travel platform and online travel agency giant Agoda’s Travel Outlook Report for 2026 ranks India on the number one spot across Asia when it comes
to spiritual tourism. Nearly one in five Indian travellers (19%) expect to take a spiritually motivated trip in 2026, the highest share among Asian markets surveyed. Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, “Spiritual travel has long been part of India’s travel culture, and the findings from Agoda’s Travel Outlook Report reflect how faith continues to influence travel decisions across the country. From major pilgrimage gatherings to festival-linked travel, many Indian travellers plan journeys that combine cultural traditions with opportunities to explore different destinations. Agoda helps make these journeys more enriching by offering great deals across a wide range of accommodations, flights, and activities."
Incredible India
Spiritual tourism is no longer just about offering prayers and performing rituals. Its scope has significantly expanded into nourishing the soul holistically. Take Varanasi for instance. The fact that it is one of the oldest living cities in the world, pulls global tourists from all corners of the world for the heritage exploration, Ganges boat rides, local crafts and food trails. The same goes for a spot like Risihkesh which besides being the gateway to the Himalayas is also the yoga capital of the world - not to mention the adeventure sports ecosystem which thrives there.A visit to Amritsar leads everyone to the Golden Temple, but what follows is the mouth-watering food trail, a trip in itself. Dharamshala also fits the bill here, as popular for its nature escapes, Himalayan trekking and Tibetan culture, as it is for being the residence of the 14th Dalai Lama. All these spots, blend spirituality, religion and pilgrimage with equally appealing layers of wellness, culture and adventure,, explaining the growing pull.
Besides India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan and Thailand fill up the top five ranks of the report.
