India’s Gen Z travellers are redefining the country’s travel landscape, moving away from traditional annual vacations in favour of shorter, more frequent and highly personalised trips, according to a new report released by [Airbnb].
The report, titled *Never the Same: The New Rules of Gen Z Travel in India*, found that seven in 10 Gen Z travellers prefer taking three short trips instead of one long annual holiday, while 87 per cent favour trips lasting less than a week. The study, conducted by YouGov among 2,012 respondents aged 18-29 across 11 Indian cities, highlights a growing preference for spontaneous travel, with 66 per cent booking trips within days or weeks of departure.
The report revealed that 95 per cent of Gen Z travellers want their journeys to feel personal and unique, while 87 per cent believe the way they travel reflects their identity. Around 90 per cent said they actively seek destinations that have not gone viral online, preferring authentic experiences, local markets and neighbourhood exploration over popular tourist attractions.
Accommodation is also playing a bigger role in travel decisions. Nearly 63 per cent said they had chosen a destination because of a stay they discovered, while more than half preferred a shared home over separate hotel rooms during group trips. Airbnb noted that domestic group bookings by Indian Gen Z travellers grew nearly 55 per cent year-on-year.
In Guwahati, the findings indicate growing opportunities for homestays, boutique accommodations and experience-led tourism across Assam and the Northeast. With young travellers increasingly seeking nature-based escapes, local culture and flexible travel plans, destinations around Guwahati could benefit from rising demand for short-duration getaways and community-based travel experiences.