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International travel interest to India rises 67% ahead of Diwali: Report
Inbound searches surge from South Korea, Southeast Asia, UAE, and the U.S., reflecting India’s growing appeal as a festive travel destination.
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Staff Reporter - Mon, 13, Oct 2025
- 12:15 EDT
- 25
Representative Image / File Photo
India is emerging as a high-growth destination for global travellers during Diwali week, with inbound search interest surging 67 percent year-on-year.
According to digital travel platform Agoda, the festive season has sparked strong international demand led by South Korea, Southeast Asia, the United States, and the Middle East.
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Overall searches for India during Diwali week rose 24 percent compared to last year, combining both domestic and international interest. Domestic searches grew by 18 percent, while inbound interest increased at a faster pace.
South Korea recorded the sharpest rise, with searches up more than 45 times from last year. Searches from Thailand nearly doubled, those from Malaysia grew 25 percent, while the United Arab Emirates and the United States saw gains of 87 percent and 28 percent respectively.
Goa was the most searched destination, followed by Udaipur and Jaipur, which saw 49 percent and 46 percent growth. Searches for New Delhi doubled, while Mumbai recorded an 18 percent rise.
Gaurav Malik, country director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said the growing influx underscores India’s cultural appeal. “Diwali, with its traditions of light, community, and celebration, provides an unmatched opportunity for travellers to immerse themselves in India’s rich cultural fabric,” he said.
India’s tourism sector continues to expand. The Ministry of Tourism reported over 5.6 million foreign tourist arrivals up to August 2025, while domestic visits exceeded 3 billion. For FY 2024–25, India welcomed about 14.2 million foreign tourists, an 18 percent increase from the previous year.
A Skift–FICCI study cited by IBEF found that 59 percent of international travellers visit India for cultural and heritage experiences, while 56 percent are drawn by its cuisine. Festive travel has also become more experience-led and premium, with average domestic trip spending rising from about $300 to $540, and short-haul international trips from $720 to $1,150 this season.
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