With eased visa policies across Southeast Asia, Agoda is seeing an increasing number of India travellers taking holidays in the region.
The landscape of international travel for Indian passport holders is undergoing a transformation, it says, particularly to destinations that have recently simplified entry requirements.
Data from OTA Agoda reveals a clear rise in interest.
Malaysia, which introduced visa-free entry for Indian citizens in 2023, recorded a 47% year-on-year increase in accommodation searches.
Cities like Langkawi (+118%), Kuala Lumpur (+28%) and Highlands (27%) have seen an increase.
Similarly, the Pacific Island nation of Palau, despite being a lesser-known gem, witnessed a 49% increase in interest from Indian passport holders.
The Philippines, is seeing a YoY increase of 26%.
Manila (+43%), Palawan (+30%), and Cebu (+25%) are among the favourites.
Neighbouring Sri Lanka has also seen a 9% increase overall
Gaurav Malik, Country Director India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal at Agoda, said, “As barriers to entry fall, we’re seeing a direct impact on travel interest and planning. This new era of accessibility is helping travellers discover not just tourist-favourites like Malaysia, Philippines and Sri Lanka but also hidden gems like Palau.”
The Agoda platform aggregates over five million holiday properties, 130,000 flight routes, and 300,000 activities.
