Do you really need to revisit a holiday spot that you’ve been to before?
Repeatedly travelling to your all-time favourite destinations is like never stepping out of your comfort zone.
We know it must have been amazing, but wouldn’t it be better to spend that hard-earned cash on a fresh experience and adventure?
Instead of fighting your way through the crowds of tourists in the ‘most-instagrammable’ places, how about switching your attention to some less talked about destinations before everybody else catches on?
We at KAYAK analysed data from millions of searches to gain an insight into what’s driving our users and where they’re most interested in travelling. Behold, our report for travel trendsetters in India – revealing the top ten emerging destinations that deserve a top spot in your year-end and 2018 travel checklists.
The report looks at destinations outside of the usual top-searched destinations*, focusing instead on the holiday hotspots showing the greatest increase in interest amongst Indian travellers.
Cast your eye on this list of destinations, and you may find a few ideas you may not have thought of, but may have heard a few of your friends or relatives mentioning recently. Think Penang, Lisbon and Zagreb, just to name a few.
The KAYAK “Better-Now-Than-Later” Report of Trending Holiday Destinations
10. Krabi, Thailand
Krabi is one of southern Thailand’s best islands for a retreat. From its popular destinations such as Ao Nang, Railay, Phi Phi Islands and Koh Lanta to its lesser known spots such as Ao Luk, Ao Nam Mao, or Ao Thalane, Krabi is less developed and crowded than Phuket, and more laid back than Koh Samui.
9. Kathmandu, Nepal
You’ll be treated to a sensory overload the moment you step foot in this city. From medieval Buddhist and Hindu temples to its narrow backstreets and markets, to its UNESCO-listed Durbar Square, Nepal’s capital city is also good for mountain trekking, shopping and a plethora of other outdoor activities.
8. Zagreb, Croatia
This low-key unassuming European capital is starting to really grab the attention of Indian travellers and we can see why! Croatian culture is one-of-a-kind and visitors will have plenty to do, from going on scenic walking tours, to savouring delicious Croatian cuisine, to enjoying the city’s vibrant nightlife.
7. Hanoi, Vietnam
As Vietnam’s second largest city after Ho Chi Minh, Hanoi is a French-colonial city with unique Chinese, French and Russian influences. The city boasts great affordable local cuisine, vibrant nightlife, silks and handicrafts, lush greenery and countryside featuring none other than the iconic Ha Long Bay.
6. Lisbon, Portugal
As the largest city and capital of Portugal, Lisbon exudes an irresistible charm and is blessed with a mild climate all year round. You can spend a day in Baixa and Alfama, a second day in Belem and Estrela and a final day exploring Parque das Nações and North Lisbon.
5. Penang, Malaysia
Known as ‘The Pearl of the Orient’, Penang was founded during the 18th century, where it became a hub for trade for the Portuguese, Dutch and English due to its strategic waterways. This diverse island is Malaysia’s second largest city and the food capital of Southeast Asia, possessing modernity without losing its old world charm.
4. Prague, Czech Republic
A city well-preserved in its history, charm and soul, Prague is also known as ‘the city with a hundred spires’. Be prepared to be ultimately fascinated by such iconic landmarks as the Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, St Vitus Cathedral, and Old Town Square.
3. Venice, Italy
A fairytale city with no roads, only canals, take a moment to soak in the glorious Venetian architecture that is reflected in the waters of the shallow lagoon. Soak in sights of this creative hub, home to countless artists, artisans, musicians, designers and chefs for the past several centuries.
2. Cairo, Egypt
This densely-packed Egyptian capital is home to the Pyramids of Giza, ancient architecture, 19th century palaces, mosques and grand avenues. Take a cruise along River Nile, or tour the tombs of the ancient Pharoahs for an extraordinary travel experience.
1. Ko Samui, Thailand
This gorgeous Thai island getaway is a must-visit for sophisticated beach-lovers who want to avoid the crowds in Phuket and the notoriety of Pattaya. Spend your afternoons relaxing on its pristine beaches, explore authentic Thai food and visit its templates and monasteries.
We analysed our search data to find these aspirational destinations, but besides this list, there are many other destinations that are accessible and worth exploring by travellers. With our tools such as KAYAK Explore and KAYAK Trips, travellers can easily find their next destinations based on specific budget, travel period, weather, and other preferences.
*The flight prices (including taxes and fees, excluding baggage fees) are for one return economy seat and were collated on 14 September 2017 for travel in September 2017 from Indian origins to the destination listed, unless specified otherwise. Prices are in INR, may be subject to change and offers may no longer be available.
**The report filtered out the top 30 most searched destinations by India travellers on KAYAK.co.in in during the search period 01/01/2017 – 31/07/2017 for any travel dates in 2017, and ranked the rest of the destinations by highest year-on-year growth on searches.
***The Asia Pacific analysis is based on KAYAK’s own search data across its 12 APAC locales, including (in alphabetical order) Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.
