New Delhi:
Thailand has emerged as the most popular international New Year destination for Indian travellers, overtaking the UAE, while Vietnam has recorded a sharp surge in demand, according to booking data released by MakeMyTrip.
The NASDAQ-listed travel platform analysed bookings for trips scheduled between December 20, 2025, and January 5, 2026, revealing strong momentum in both domestic and international travel during the holiday season.
MakeMyTrip noted a shift in accommodation preferences as well. While bookings in the Rs 2,500–5,000 per night category saw a slight moderation, demand for the Rs 5,000–7,500 range increased, signalling a growing preference for more premium stays among Indian travellers.
On the domestic front, Goa, Jaipur, and Udaipur emerged as the top three leisure destinations, continuing their strong year-on-year appeal.
“Thailand has moved to the number one position this New Year, overtaking the UAE,” MakeMyTrip said. “Vietnam stood out as a fast-rising destination, climbing from seventh place during the same period last year to becoming one of the top four most-booked international destinations in 2025.”
The platform attributed the surge in outbound travel to easier visa processes and visa-free access, which have made short-haul international travel more convenient for Indian tourists.
Commenting on the trend, Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, said domestic tourism remained resilient, with travellers increasingly blending leisure trips with spiritual journeys.
“Travellers are showing a clear willingness to upgrade accommodation and combine leisure breaks with spiritually enriching experiences,” Magow said. “Short-haul international travel continues to gain traction, led by familiar destinations, while newer countries like Vietnam are seeing growing interest.”
He added that improved visa access continues to play a crucial role in shaping India’s expanding appetite for overseas travel.