Last Updated:September 10, 2025, 17:51 IST

The Trend shows Indian travellers opting for underrated destinations and avoiding the traditional hotspots of the world for their perfect getaways.

Amidst rising inflation and expenses, Indian travellers are getting smarter and opting for lesser-known destinations for their family getaways. According to a report by Policybazaar, there has been a 45 per cent rise in travel insurance purchases made by Indian tourists for such not-so-popular locations within the last three years.

Travel experts have encouraged tourists to visit these offbeat destinations as they offer budget-friendly accommodation options, cheap meals and various experiences. In stark contrast with the traditional hotspots of the world, where heavy tourist turnout fuels prices to incredible heights.

Save Money By Travelling Low-Key

According to Pavan Kavad, Managing Director of Prithvi Exchange (India) Limited, Indians can save up to 20-40 per cent of their touring expenses just by opting for what are often called the underrated gems of the world. At these emerging destinations, local transport, hotel stays and food are significantly more affordable than the usual tourist hubs.

“Mid-range hotels in Vietnam are often 30-40% cheaper than comparable stays in Goa, while a city break in Eastern Europe can cost nearly half of what a weekend in Edinburgh would,” Kavad says.

The strength of the Indian rupee also plays a big role here. According to estimates, a budget of Rs 1 lakh would barely cover four nights in Paris, whereas in places like Poland, it should cover a week-long trip. When the Indian rupee weakens against a foreign currency, outbound costs for Indian travellers usually rise by 8-15 per cent, at times even 18, noted Kavad.

Smart Planning Further Raises Affordability

SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, believes Indian travellers can further ease their budget constraints and enjoy greater buying capacity overseas through smarter travel planning. Travelling during the off-seasons, making bookings in advance and wisely choosing the accommodation and food locations could prove to be a game-changer for Indian middle-class tourists.

“Booking holidays during a destination’s off-peak season is an effective way to save. Self-drive tours in countries like South Africa, Scotland, and Spain-Portugal allow travellers to explore at their own pace while discovering lesser-known locations,” said Nandakumar.

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Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board (MPTB) has been awarded the ‘Best State Tourism Board’ Award at the prestigious India Travel Awards 2025, held at Le Meridien, New Delhi. The award was presented by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, in recognition of Madhya Pradesh’s excellence in innovation, sustainable growth, and leadership in the tourism sector.

Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Tourism, Culture, and Religious Trusts and Endowments, Dharmendra Singh Lodhi, said the honour is a matter of great pride for the people of Madhya Pradesh. “Under the leadership of Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav, the state government has resolved to make tourism a driver of development. This award motivates us to bring global recognition to the state’s heritage, natural wealth, and folk traditions while also creating opportunities for employment and self-reliance,” he remarked.

Sheo Shekhar Shukla, Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism, Culture, Home, Religious Trusts and Endowments, and Managing Director of MPTB, credited the award to the team’s collective vision. “Our goal is to create new destinations, strengthen local economies, empower women, preserve traditions, and promote sustainable tourism. This recognition inspires us to position Madhya Pradesh – the ‘Heart of Incredible India’ – as a unique tourism hub where tradition, nature, and modernity blend seamlessly,” he said.

The recognition reflects MPTB’s forward-looking initiatives, including:

• Development of eco-tourism circuits

• Promotion of community-based homestays

• Expansion of adventure and experiential tourism

• Strengthening of hospitality and visitor infrastructure

With this award, Madhya Pradesh reaffirms its commitment to offering tourists a world-class travel experience, highlighting its rich cultural legacy, natural landscapes, and diverse traditions.

MakeMyTrip’s latest data reveals pilgrimage travel is emerging as one of the fastest-growing segments in India’s tourism industry, with accommodation bookings across 56 pilgrimage destinations growing 19% in FY24-25.The company’s Pilgrimage Travel Trends 2024-25 shows broad-based momentum, with 34 destinations recording double-digit growth and 15 destinations growing by over 25%. Traditional centers like Prayagraj, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Puri, Amritsar and Tirupati continue expanding, while emerging destinations such as Khatushyam Ji, Omkareshwar and Thiruchendur are also registering strong growth.“Pilgrimage Travel has always been part of our culture, but what we see now is its scale and consistency across the country. We are seeing steady growth, fuelled by stronger connectivity and Indians across all age groups and income segments planning pilgrimage-led trips. This growing demand is broadening traveller expectations and prompting the industry to innovate in ways that better serve the unique needs of the pilgrim traveller,” said Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip.The data reveals distinct traveller patterns in pilgrimage tourism. Nearly two-thirds of bookings are made within six days of departure, while 53% of travelers opt for single-night stays compared to 45% in leisure travel. Group bookings account for 47% of pilgrimage trips versus 38.9% for leisure destinations, highlighting the collective nature of spiritual journeys.Premiumisation is gaining traction, with bookings for rooms above ₹7,000 growing over 20%. While 71% of bookings remain below ₹4,500 per night, rooms in the ₹7,000-10,000 range grew 24% and those above ₹10,000 increased 23%.The company also launched “Loved by Devotees,” a curated collection of accommodations near spiritual destinations, alongside 600+ holiday packages catering to pilgrim travelers.