Kolkata Emerges as the Top Summer Destination in 2025; Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Mumbai Follow Closely
As summer temperatures soar across India, including major cities like Mumbai, many travelers are gearing up for well-deserved breaks and planning their summer vacations. The latest travel trends reveal a surge in interest for leisure escapes, with Kolkata leading as the hottest summer destination for 2025.
According to recent data by Justdial, online search activity for summer getaways—such as water parks, amusement parks, resorts, and recreational venues—has risen by an impressive 21% nationwide between February 1 and April 16, 2025, compared to the same period last year. This growing enthusiasm reflects a strong demand for refreshing leisure options as people look to escape the heat.
Rising Popularity of Non-Metro Destinations
Interestingly, non-metro cities are driving this travel boom with a 22% increase in searches, outpacing the 19% growth in metro cities. Among metros, Kolkata and Ahmedabad stand out with extraordinary growth in interest—searches have jumped by 75% and 85% respectively—making them top picks for summer vacations. Chennai and Mumbai follow with notable increases of 26% and 22%, while Bengaluru and Pune show steady but moderate growth.
In non-metro regions, Chandigarh tops the charts with a staggering 205% rise in leisure-related searches, followed by Lucknow with 131%. Other cities like Vadodara, Coimbatore, Goa, Indore, and Surat are also gaining popularity as travelers explore unique destinations beyond the usual urban hotspots.
Evolving Preferences: Resorts, Water Parks, and More
Diving deeper into the types of leisure venues gaining traction, resorts for corporate outings have surged by 143%, signaling a revival of team retreats and corporate getaways. Bengaluru leads this category with a phenomenal 395% increase in searches.
Water park resorts are another favorite, with an overall 74% rise in interest nationwide. Delhi spearheads this trend with an astounding 521% increase, highlighting demand for family-friendly aquatic fun. Cities like Jaipur, Pune, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Mumbai also show significant growth in this category.
For travelers seeking rustic charm, village resorts have grown by 72% in search volume, with Pune seeing an especially strong 156% increase. Meanwhile, beach resorts remain timeless favorites, enjoying a 50% rise in searches, particularly in coastal hubs like Mangalore, Mumbai, and Chennai.
Popularity of Day Trips and Recreational Activities
The appetite for day trips and outdoor recreation is also growing. Interest in picnic spots has jumped by 34%, with Surat, Bangalore, and Delhi leading this category. Mountain resorts have seen a moderate 26% increase, while pet-friendly resorts are gaining attention with a 20% rise, reflecting changing traveler lifestyles.
Entertainment venues like theme parks have experienced a 17% growth in search interest, with Mumbai, Chennai, and Delhi topping the list. Water parks and amusement parks each saw an 8% increase, with Chandigarh and Kolkata showing exceptional spikes.
Positive Outlook for India's Tourism and Hospitality Industry
Overall, the surge in searches across diverse leisure categories indicates a robust recovery and growing optimism in India's tourism and hospitality sectors. With Kolkata crowned as the top summer destination for 2025, followed closely by Ahmedabad, Chennai, and Mumbai, travelers have a wide array of exciting options to choose from this season.
Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat, a family getaway, or a rustic village experience, the summer of 2025 promises something refreshing for every traveler in India.
