New Survey Reveals the ‘Weirdest’ Reasons Indians Are Taking Holidays

Why do people travel? For a relaxing break, a birthday celebration, an anniversary, or simply to escape the daily routine.

But a new survey suggests that for many Indian travellers, the reason for taking a holiday is becoming far less conventional.

In 2026, apparently, you don’t necessarily need a special occasion to pack your bags. Your in-laws are visiting? That could be enough. Your neighbour’s renovation work is driving you crazy? Time to look for a hotel. Had an argument with your partner? Perhaps a quick getaway is in order. And if an astrologer says it’s an auspicious time to travel, that may be all the motivation some travellers need.

A survey commissioned by Booking.com in partnership with YouGov indicates that Indian travellers are increasingly moving away from traditional, milestone-based holidays. As many as 58 per cent of respondents said they had taken a trip simply because they wanted to.

But the survey also highlights some rather unusual reasons that have prompted Indians to book a holiday.

When Family Visits Become A Travel Trigger

For some travellers, an extended family visit appears to be enough reason to make travel plans.

Nearly three in 10 Indian travellers, or 28 per cent, said they had booked a trip because their in-laws arrived for an extended stay. Meanwhile, 50 per cent said they had travelled to avoid social obligations, such as attending a family wedding or a dinner with distant relatives.

For these travellers, “Sorry, I’m travelling” may have become the ultimate RSVP.

Noisy Neighbours? Time To Get Away

Home-related disruptions also featured prominently among the unusual travel triggers.

Around 30 per cent of respondents said they had packed their bags when their nanny, domestic help or driver went on leave. Another 46 per cent said they had travelled to escape drilling, renovation work or noisy neighbours.

In other words, sometimes the easiest way to deal with chaos at home is simply to leave home.

Heartbreak And Emotional Getaways

Emotional reasons for travelling are hardly new. A change of scenery after heartbreak, dealing with grief or simply wanting to step away from familiar surroundings can all inspire a trip.

Travel has long been portrayed as a way to reset emotionally, with popular culture also embracing the idea of finding oneself through a journey.

Celebrating The Little Wins

Not every holiday needs to mark a major achievement. The survey found that 61 per cent of respondents had booked a trip to celebrate smaller personal victories, including making it through a difficult week or reaching a fitness goal.

For many, a getaway is becoming a way to reward themselves for everyday achievements.

Sometimes, It’s Just About The Vibe

For 57 per cent of respondents, the destination itself was enough of a reason to travel. A change in atmosphere, a new experience or simply wanting to be somewhere different could prompt a booking.

And sometimes, the weather back home can provide an added push to leave.

Payday Can Also Mean Holiday Time

Everyday circumstances are also influencing travel decisions. The survey found that 20 per cent of respondents had booked a trip to deal with post-trip blues, while 16 per cent said payday itself was a reason to travel.

For some, the arrival of a salary appears to come with a second question: “Where are we going?”

When The Stars Say It’s Time To Travel

Astrology also appears to have a role in travel planning. According to the survey, 22 per cent of Indian travellers said an astrologer’s advice that it was an auspicious time to travel was enough to motivate them to book a trip.

The findings are based on a survey of more than 1,000 respondents from cities across India and suggest that holidays are increasingly being driven by everyday emotions, small celebrations and spontaneous impulses rather than just birthdays, anniversaries or major life events.

So, what would it take for you to book your next holiday?