If your social media feeds are full of mountain bazaars in Central Asia or quiet Konkan beaches, that matches the data. Skyscanner's Travel Trends 2027 report, launched on October 8, 2026, ranks the destinations with the sharpest year-on-year jump in searches from Indian travellers. Top of the list is a city many Indians could not have placed on a map a few years ago: Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan.
The report also tracks how Indians plan to travel next year: more trips abroad, more attention to value, and more use of AI to plan. Here is a breakdown.
The 10 trending destinations for 2027
Skyscanner's list is based on the destinations with the biggest year-on-year increase in searches. These are the percentage rises reported by Times Now:
- Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan: up 748%
- Rupsi, Assam: up 502%
- Okinawa, Japan: up 279%
- Malvan, Maharashtra: up 258%
- Tirana, Albania: up 237%
- Podgorica, Montenegro: up 236%
- Sandakan, Malaysia: up 189%
- Pokhara, Nepal: up 166%
- Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei: up 139%
- Phu Quoc, Vietnam: up 133%
Big percentage jumps often start from a small base, so these figures show rising curiosity rather than mass tourism. That is part of the appeal: most of these places are still uncrowded.
Why these places, and what they offer
Bishkek. Kyrgyzstan's compact capital has Soviet-era squares and busy bazaars, with snow-capped peaks in the background. It is also a base for the country's lakes and mountain valleys. For Indians with a valid US, UK or Schengen visa, India's Ministry of External Affairs lists a short visa-free stay of up to 7 days in Kyrgyzstan for arrivals by air at Manas International Airport, subject to conditions. Other travellers should check the visa route that applies to them.
Rupsi, Assam. A small town in Dhubri district with an airport revived under the UDAN regional connectivity scheme, Rupsi opens up a part of lower Assam that very few tourists visit. Its place near the top of the list says more about the reach of regional air links than about any established tourism trail.
Malvan, Maharashtra. On the Konkan coast, Malvan is known for Sindhudurg sea fort, water sports at nearby Tarkarli, and Malvani seafood. It is an easy option for travellers from Mumbai and Pune.
Okinawa, Tirana, Podgorica. Japan's subtropical islands and two Balkan capitals reflect a wider interest in places that are less crowded and, in the Balkans' case, relatively affordable. Indians will need to check visa requirements for each.
Sandakan, Pokhara, Bandar Seri Begawan, Phu Quoc. Sandakan in Malaysian Borneo is the gateway to the Sepilok orangutan centre. Pokhara offers lakes and views of the Annapurna range. Brunei's capital is known for its golden-domed mosques and the stilt village of Kampong Ayer. Phu Quoc is Vietnam's biggest island and is popular for beach holidays.
The best-value list
Skyscanner also highlights destinations where flight prices have fallen, according to Outlook Traveller:
- Jaisalmer: down 43%
- Tashkent, Uzbekistan: down 30%
- Kozhikode: down 29%
- Jodhpur: down 25%
Other reports on the value list also name Baku, Cebu, Krabi, Gaya, Phuket and Christchurch. Two Rajasthan desert cities appearing together suggests a winter in the Thar could be cheaper to reach this season.
How Indians plan to travel in 2027
The survey behind the report was conducted by OnePoll for Skyscanner in July 2026 among 2,000 Indian respondents. Its key findings:
- 58% plan to travel abroad more in 2027.
- 56% expect to spend more on flights, and 44% plan to raise their accommodation budgets.
- 67% have changed, or considered changing, their destination because another one offered better value.
- 87% say they are confident using AI to plan and book trips.
The seven trends, briefly
Skyscanner groups its findings into seven themes:
- Signal Severance: trips to switch off. 75% of Indian respondents believe going without their phones would help them feel more connected to nature. Pokhara, Agatti in Lakshadweep and Phu Quoc are cited as destinations linked to this trend.
- Sound Bound: travel built around music, from carnivals to concerts in unusual settings. 43% are drawn to carnival experiences.
- Pilgra-merch: travelling to buy something you cannot get elsewhere. 80% of respondents have visited a destination or store for an exclusive item.
- Sten Do Surge: joint pre-wedding celebrations instead of separate bachelor and bachelorette trips. 73% favour a shared or combined format.
- Gymcation: keeping fitness and diet on track while travelling. 53% actively look for fitness facilities.
- Grand Odysseys: trips inspired by history and mythology, cited by 89% of respondents.
- Currency Chasers: choosing destinations by exchange rate. 69% always or often consider a destination's currency when booking.
What this means for your 2027 planning
- Factor in the exchange rate. The "Currency Chasers" trend is a sensible approach for Indian travellers. Compare what your rupee buys in Central Asia, the Balkans or Southeast Asia against more expensive Western destinations.
- Check visas early. Many trending destinations are not visa-free for Indians. Look up official immigration sites, not listicles, before booking.
- Use AI, then verify. If, like 87% of respondents, you plan with AI tools, double-check visa rules, flight schedules and opening dates on official sources. AI summaries can be out of date.
- Look at domestic options too. Rupsi, Malvan, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Kozhikode show that some of the most interesting trends for next year are in India.
The takeaway
The 2027 list suggests Indian travellers are getting more adventurous and more careful with money at the same time. They want new and uncrowded places, but at the right price, and they are planning with AI tools. Whether that means a long weekend in Malvan or a first trip to Bishkek, the destinations on this list are worth looking at before they get busier.
Sources
- Outlook Traveller: Skyscanner names 10 trending destinations and 7 travel trends for 2027
- Times Now: Where will everyone be travelling in 2027?
- The Indian Express: Skyscanner's top 10 trending destinations for 2027
- Ministry of External Affairs: Visa facility for Indian nationals (ordinary passports)
