India Is Now Skyscanner’s Top Market With Outbound Searches

The online travel landscape is undergoing a massive shift as major travel meta-search platform Skyscanner reports that India has officially become its largest market by user volume. Search queries originating from the country surged by 22% compared to the previous year, outpacing the global growth rate of 17%.

This upward trajectory extends far beyond simple user volume, bringing profound changes in travel preferences and patterns. Neel Ghose, travel trends and destinations expert at Skyscanner India, shared in an interview with Skift that the most dramatic transformation lies in the destinations Indian travelers are actively seeking.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

Looking back three years ago, roughly 80% of Skyscanner's India redirect traffic was funneled toward domestic bookings, leaving international travel at a mere 20%. Today, that distribution has nearly equalized, with domestic bookings sitting at 52% and international travel surging to 48%. This shift highlights the platform's concerted push to capture first-time outbound travelers alongside evolving consumer mindsets across the nation.

Speaking to journalists in Delhi during the release of the Travel Trends 2027 report, Ghose emphasized that while consumer intent to travel remains exceptionally high, travelers are increasingly focused on spending more wisely. Indian tourists continue to maintain relatively short-notice booking habits compared to other major global markets, averaging a 28-day booking window—roughly half the duration seen elsewhere. Meanwhile, average trip lengths have decreased to 3.1 days as consumers favor frequent, shorter getaways.

“There’s more intent to travel, but people want to spend better.”

Neel Ghose, travel trends and destinations expert at Skyscanner India

This preference for shorter trips directly impacts ancillary spending. Consumer interest in flight upgrades and hotel room enhancements has softened, while abbreviated stays naturally curb spending on local tours and activities. Currency valuations also play a prominent role: approximately two-thirds of surveyed Indian travelers indicated they would readily switch destinations to maximize value against the rupee, fueling growing interest in alternative spots like Bishkek, Baku, and Tashkent alongside traditional favorites such as Japan and Vietnam.