Domestic travel continues to dominate holiday plans, with searches within India rising by 18%. However, international travel interest is growing at an even faster rate, with a 67% year-on-year increase in inbound searches by overseas visitors for the Diwali period.
Among the top ten international markets showing heightened interest in visiting India, South Korea has seen a remarkable increase, with searches rising over 45 times compared to the same period last year. In Southeast Asia, searches from Thailand nearly doubled, while those from Malaysia climbed by 25%.
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Outside the Asia-Pacific region, the United Arab Emirates recorded an 87% rise in travel interest, and searches from the United States grew by 28%, indicating growing higher interest among regional and long-haul markets.
Diwali, the festival of lights continues to draw travellers keen to experience India's rich heritage, festive cuisine, and warm family celebrations. The blend of visual spectacle and cultural immersion makes the festival a compelling attraction for both local and international tourists.
During this period, destinations that combine festive vibrancy with cultural significance are proving most popular. Goa emerged as the top-searched destination, reflecting its continued appeal. Udaipur and Jaipur saw search volumes rise by 49% and 46% respectively, highlighting their appeal as cultural centres. Searches for New Delhi doubled, while Mumbai recorded an 18% increase, reaffirming their status as key metropolitan destinations for those looking to celebrate Diwali.
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“It’s wonderful to see so many international visitors eager to experience the unique cultural festivals that India has to offer. Diwali, with its traditions of light, community, and celebration, provides an unmatched opportunity for travellers to immerse themselves in India’s rich cultural fabric. What’s particularly exciting is the emergence of newer source markets such as South Korea, alongside consistent demand from regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia."
"These insights reflect how cultural travel resonates across borders, and how India is increasingly being recognised as a vibrant, welcoming destination for diverse global audiences,” said Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda.
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Agoda offers a wide range of accommodation, flights, and travel packages at competitive rates. With exclusive deals and flexible booking options, the platform aims to simplify festive travel planning and ensure travellers make the most of their journeys.
The insights are based on accommodation search data on Agoda by users between February and August 2025, for check-ins between October 17-23, 2025, and are compared to the period of October 28 to November 3, 2024.
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