Assam’s Jorhat beats Berlin, Langkawi to become most trending destination for Indians in 2026

New Delhi, Oct 9 (PTI) Picturesque Jorhat in Assam has outshone global destinations like Berlin, Langkawi, and Phuket to become the top trending destination for Indian travellers in 2026, as per the Skyscanner’s latest 'Travel Trends Report', which also reveals that "59 per cent" of Indians plan to travel more in the coming year.

The annual report, released here on Wednesday, offers insights into the evolving preferences of Indian travellers, key motivations, and the top trending and best-value destinations for 2026.

"Jorhat, known for its tea gardens and cultural heritage, tops the list of trending destinations with a remarkable '493 per cent' rise in searches, followed by Jaffna in Sri Lanka (325 per cent) and Muscat in Oman (211 per cent),” noted the report which was released in the presence of India's T20 captain and Skyscanner brand ambassador Suryakumar Yadav.

Other rising hotspots include Queenstown in New Zealand, Chiang Rai in Thailand, and al-Ula in Saudi Arabia, highlighting how Indian travellers are increasingly looking to explore destinations that offer both authenticity and novelty.

The report also identifies a list of "best value destinations", which have seen the sharpest drop in average airfare over the past year. Leading this category is Tirupati with an "18 per cent" fall in airfares, followed by Langkawi in Malaysia (17 per cent) and Berlin in Germany (16 per cent).

According to the survey of 2,000 Indian travellers, cost remains a key consideration, with "63 per cent" prioritising food costs, "60 per cent" flight prices, "56 per cent" accommodation, and "48 per cent" visa requirements when planning their trips.

"What we're seeing is that Indian travellers are gravitating towards deeper cultural connections and experiences. Social media, particularly authentic video guides, are inspiring this wanderlust and shaping how people choose their next destination. The surge in searches for places like Jorhat and Jaffna reflect a desire to explore relatively lesser-known gems, rich in heritage and local flavour.

"... This shows how travellers are becoming more intentional and strategic in their choices for 2026," said Neel Ghose, travel trends and destinations expert at Skyscanner.

The 2026 report outlines seven major travel trends expected to shape Indian travel behaviour in the coming year, including "Destination Check-In", a trend where travellers are increasingly choosing destinations for their unique accommodations rather than popular landmarks -- with "82 per cent" of Indians admitting to this shift.

Another key trend is "Altitude Shift", reflecting a growing preference for mountain escapes over beach holidays, as "92 per cent" of Indian travellers now dream of year-round alpine getaways.

Also gaining momentum is "book-bound Journeys", with "80 per cent" of respondents either having booked or considering "literature-inspired trips", such as visiting locations featured in novels or exploring iconic libraries and bookshops. PTI MG MAH MAH