NEW DELHI - Accommodation searches for Dharamshala, Rishikesh and Uttarkashi rose sharply year on year, Agoda said on July 9.

Dharamshala recorded the largest increase at 154%. Rishikesh followed at 65%, and Uttarkashi posted 17% growth. The data covers accommodation searches on Agoda rather than completed bookings or visitor arrivals.

Domestic travellers generated the most interest in Dharamshala and Rishikesh. Searches also came from the United States, Japan, Singapore, Australia, Thailand and the United Arab Emirates.

Uttarkashi attracted interest from South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan and Nepal. Agoda did not disclose the number of searches from each market.

Gaurav Malik, Agoda’s country director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands, said, “Indian travelers are increasingly looking for holidays that allow them to slow down and disconnect from the pace of everyday urban life.”

Dharamshala draws visitors to its Tibetan Buddhist culture, meditation centres and forest trails. Rishikesh is known for yoga, wellness retreats and ashram stays beside the Ganga. Uttarkashi offers access to mountain terrain in Uttarakhand.

Agoda linked the increases to demand for slower and quieter holidays. Its 2026 Travel Outlook found that relaxation was the main travel motivation for 67% of Indian respondents.

The report, released on November 25, 2025, found that accommodation searches for secondary cities across Asia grew 15% faster than searches for established tourism hubs over the previous two years. Secondary destinations accounted for 34% of Agoda searches in the first half of 2025.

Lower costs were the leading reason for considering secondary destinations among 43% of respondents. Ease of access was also important to 91% of Indian respondents, 89% in the Philippines and 80% in Indonesia.