New Delhi — Is it just us, or has everyone’s Instagram feed turned into a travel reel on steroids? If you’ve been daydreaming at work in DLF Cyber City or texting “Let’s plan!” in your Lajpat Nagar WhatsApp group, we’ve got receipts to back your wanderlust. The India’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure Asia just dropped the list of the world’s most loved destinations of 2025—and the timing couldn’t be spicier given the long weekends lined up this year.
So, Where’s Everyone Dying to Go in 2025?
This year’s India’s Best Awards by Travel + Leisure Asia spotlighted the cities, countries, and experiences that India’s travel-hardened crowd can’t get enough of. These awards are a real-time pulse check of Indian travellers—from influencers with crazy visa stamps to business travellers flying out of Terminal 3 every other week. The list doesn’t just reflect global trends; it reveals where Indians are actually spending their PTO and points.
Topping the charts for 2025? Japan took the crown as the most loved country. Closer to home, Dubai continues to be Delhi’s unofficial weekend breakout—with visa-free perks and duty-free blitz. Surprisingly, Istanbul surged in popularity, thanks to Turkish Airlines’ aggressive routes and everyone wanting that hot air balloon selfie in Cappadocia. Cities like London, Paris, and Singapore remain evergreen, but there’s growing buzz around places like Georgia (the country, not the U.S. state) and Vietnam—both friendly on the INR and loaded with cultural swag.
And on the desi front, Goa was a predictably solid favourite, while Kashmir had a major glow-up thanks to Insta-aesthetic stays and the new flight connections from IGI. The data reflected not just clicks, but searches, bookings, and even reviews—so think of this as a travel wishlist validated by your fellow Indians, not just advertising dollars.
What This Means for Your Next Airport Dash from Delhi
This list isn’t just for travel magazines. If you’ve tried booking a ‘cheap’ flight to Tokyo from Aerocity lately, you already know you’re not alone. Travel patterns among Delhiites are shifting—long weekends are being spent in Baku over Bhimtal, and group trips are planning Vietnam instead of Vaishno Devi. It also means travel infra is tightening; that AirAsia 2:45am to Kuala Lumpur from T1? Yeah, it’s packed with South Delhi gentrifiers and Noida techies trying to squeeze in a quick visa run.
There’s also a digital job economy twist. With remote work flexibility more lax than a Sector 29 beer café on a Tuesday, itinerant freelancers from Greater Kailash are building month-long schedules around these “most loved” spots. If Vietnam tops the list, you can bet Hauz Khas backpackers and LinkedIn influencers will start popping up from Da Nang to Hanoi.
Wait, Didn’t We All Just Love Bali, Like, Last Year?
You’re not wrong. Travel trends evolve faster than the parking rates outside Select Citywalk. Last year, Bali, Sri Lanka, and Thailand were hot picks. But visa policy changes, air connectivity, and yes, rising influencer fatigue (nobody wants another beach photo with “wanderlust” as the caption) have shifted interests to newer pastures.
Historically, these awards have been pretty bang-on; destinations highlighted end up seeing a surge in Indian bookings. That’s partly why the likes of Georgia and Armenia ramped up tourism partnerships with Indian platforms. It’s a feedback loop—our clicks dictate campaigns, and soon the campaigns push us right back to those destinations. In some ways, this list is a prediction of where Delhi’s boarding pass fodder will blow up next.
📍 Spot Check: If you’re heading to the airport via Hauz Khas or Mahipalpur, expect traffic bumps during peak hours. Jor Bagh to Aerocity Metro is your best bet if you’re trying to avoid Dwarka chaos. Ticket offices near Connaught Place are already running early bird international fare schemes, especially for Japan and Istanbul. Also, keep an eye on currency exchange rates; the forex kiosk near Rajouri Garden Metro is giving better rates than the airport ATMs lately!
The Final Word
Whether you’re planning a couple’s escape to Osaka or plotting a solo tea trail in Hanoi, the 2025 list doubles as your new travel checklist. And while Kashmir and Goa still hold their own in our hearts, it’s refreshing to see Indian travellers—especially from Delhi—widening their travel lens. With easier visas, wallet-friendly stays, and ever-growing FOMO, this might be the year you stamp a less-expected page in your passport. So here’s the real question—are you ready to ditch the Manali plans for Mongolia?
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