Agoda Reports Growth in Spiritual Tourism in India

Allahabad has become a notable destination for spiritual seekers among both domestic and international travelers. According to Agoda’s recent findings on accommodation search trends, there is a growing demand for spiritual travel across India.

In the early months of 2025, Agoda’s data indicates that Allahabad, which previously did not rank among the top 50 destination searches, surged to 11th place for domestic accommodation searches and 15th place for inbound travelers in January through March. This rise is attributed to the return of the Mahakumbh Mela, which hasn’t occurred in 12 years, leading to a 233% increase in domestic accommodation searches in the city compared to last year.

Other locations that saw significant improvements include Ayodhya (ranked 25th, up 11 spots), Rishikesh (19th, up 9 spots), and Manali (21st, up 9 spots). For inbound travelers, Varanasi at 6th (up 9 spots), Amritsar at 14th (up 8 spots), and Agra at 12th (up 7 spots) are among the popular searches.

Gaurav Malik, the Country Director for India Subcontinent at Agoda, stated, > “This burgeoning interest in India’s spiritual locations reflects a shifting trend in travel, highlighting a desire for cultural connections and personal significance. With affordable deals and expanded accommodations, Agoda is poised to meet the evolving preferences of travelers.”

Looking ahead, upcoming spiritual pilgrimages such as the Chardham Yatra and Amarnath Yatra promise further engagement in India’s spiritual tourism sector.