'Gymcations' rise: 53% of Indian travellers seek gyms on holiday, Skyscanner finds
Representative image: lewisgoodphotos / Pixabay
Skyscanner's Travel Trends 2027 for India, reported 9-12 October 2026, finds 53% of travellers seek gyms on holiday and 58% plan more foreign trips next year.
What Happened
Fitness is becoming part of the holiday plan for many Indian travellers, according to Skyscanner's Travel Trends 2027 report for India, released in October 2026 and reported between 9 and 12 October. The travel search company identified seven trends for the coming year, among them "Gymcation", a style of travel in which staying active and eating well matter as much as sightseeing. The report is based on Skyscanner's search data and a survey of 2,000 Indian travellers, and it also found that 58 per cent of Indians plan to travel abroad more in 2027 than in 2026.
Key Facts
- The report covers seven trends: Sound Bound, Signal Severance, Gymcation, Pilgra-merch, Sten Do Surge, Grand Odysseys and Currency Chasers.
- It draws on Skyscanner search data and a survey of 2,000 Indian travellers.
- 91 per cent of Indian respondents said they are likely to book a hotel that offers nutrition-focused breakfast options.
- 53 per cent said they actively look for fitness facilities when choosing where to stay.
- 58 per cent of Indians plan to travel abroad more in 2027.
- 56 per cent expect to spend more on flights and 44 per cent on accommodation.
- One report of the findings says 63 per cent of Gen Z travellers in India plan more overseas holidays in 2027 than in 2026.
Why It Matters
For young Indians, the line between a holiday and a lifestyle is blurring. The "Gymcation" trend suggests that many travellers do not want to drop their fitness and food routines while away. Choosing a hotel because of its gym or breakfast menu, rather than only its location or price, is a sign that wellbeing has become part of how this group defines a good trip.
The broader numbers also point to confidence. More than half of respondents expect to travel abroad more next year and to spend more on flights, even though the rupee has been under pressure in recent weeks. Industry reports in recent weeks, including a Booking.com study of 1,000 Indian travellers, describe a similar shift towards trips planned around personal milestones and lifestyle goals, with some people booking a trip to celebrate small wins such as reaching a fitness target.
There are reasons to read the figures with care. The report comes from a travel company with an interest in encouraging travel, and survey answers about what people are "likely" to do do not always match what they spend. The sample of 2,000 travellers does not represent all Indians. The trend names are marketing labels, and the report itself is the main source for the numbers behind them.
For young travellers, the practical message is that hotels and destinations are starting to compete on wellness features. That can mean better options for those who want to stay active, but it can also mean paying extra for facilities that may go unused.
| Finding | Share of Indian respondents |
|---|---|
| Likely to book hotel with nutrition-focused breakfast | 91% |
| Actively look for fitness facilities | 53% |
| Plan to travel abroad more in 2027 | 58% |
| Expect to spend more on flights | 56% |
| Expect to spend more on accommodation | 44% |
Impact
Short-term: Hotels and travel platforms are likely to highlight gyms, healthy menus and activity-based packages in their marketing to young Indian travellers.
Long-term: If the trend holds, wellness could become a standard part of how Indians choose trips, shaping hotel design, airline and holiday packages, and destination promotion.
Who is affected: Young Indian travellers, especially Gen Z and millennials, hotels and homestays, travel platforms, fitness and wellness businesses, and destinations competing for Indian tourists.
Key Takeaway
Skyscanner's 2027 trends report finds Indian travellers increasingly plan holidays around fitness and food, with 53 per cent seeking gyms and 58 per cent planning more foreign trips next year.
Questions and Answers
What is a "gymcation"?
It is Skyscanner's label for travel where keeping fit and eating well are central to the trip, so travellers choose destinations and hotels where staying active is as easy as sightseeing.
How many Indian travellers look for fitness facilities?
In Skyscanner's survey of 2,000 Indian travellers, 53 per cent said they actively look for fitness facilities, and 91 per cent said they are likely to book a hotel offering nutrition-focused breakfast.
Are Indians planning to travel abroad more?
Yes, according to the survey: 58 per cent plan to travel abroad more in 2027, and 56 per cent expect to spend more on flights.
How reliable are these numbers?
They come from a travel company's survey and search data. They show what respondents say they intend to do, not actual spending, and the sample does not represent all Indians.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
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Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
