India has overtaken all other regions to become Skyscanner’s largest market by user volume, according to new data from the travel search platform. Neel Ghose, a travel trends and destinations expert at Skyscanner India, told Skift that search volume from the country rose 22% year over year. This growth rate outpaces the global average of 17%.
Skyscanner India market shift
The composition of travel searches from India has changed dramatically over the last three years. Three years ago, approximately 80% of Skyscanner’s redirects from India led to domestic bookings, while only 20% went toward international travel. The current split is nearly even, with 52% of searches directed to domestic flights and 48% to international destinations.
Ghose attributed this shift to Skyscanner’s deliberate strategy to reach first-time international travelers. The change also reflects a broader evolution in how Indian consumers approach travel planning. There is a clear increase in the intent to travel, but travelers are simultaneously looking to spend their money more effectively.
“There’s more intent to travel, but people want to spend better,” Ghose said during a discussion of Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2027 report in Delhi.
Booking windows and destination choices
Indian travelers continue to book trips at the last minute compared to other major markets. The average booking window is 28 days, which is roughly half the lead time seen in several other key travel regions. This short planning horizon is accompanied by a decrease in average trip length, which has fallen to 3.1 days. Travelers are opting for shorter, more frequent breaks rather than extended vacations.
This behavior is impacting ancillary revenue streams. Interest in flight and hotel room upgrades has declined. Shorter stays are also reducing expected spend on tours and activities. Currency fluctuations are playing a significant role in destination selection. About two-thirds of surveyed Indian travelers said they would switch destinations to find better value against the rupee.
This search for value is driving interest in Central Asian cities such as Bishkek, Baku, and Tashkent. These destinations are gaining traction alongside established favorites like Japan and Vietnam. The focus on value is reshaping the competitive landscape for online travel agencies operating in the region.
AI adoption in travel planning
Artificial intelligence is becoming a standard tool for Indian travelers. Skyscanner reported that 87% of users are confident using AI to help plan and book their trips. However, the company noted that accuracy remains a concern for many users.
Skyscanner stated it does not yet have enough data to confirm that travelers are routinely handing over the actual booking process to AI systems. The current usage appears focused on the research and planning phases rather than the final transaction. This distinction is important for understanding how technology is changing the travel booking funnel.
The data highlights a market that is growing faster than the global average while simultaneously becoming more sophisticated in its search behavior. The shift from domestic to international focus suggests a maturing travel market with higher disposable income for cross-border trips.
Source: Skift
