TravTalk India Online Magazine
Booking.com, one of the world’s leading digital travel companies, has released its latest ‘Taste of Home’ research, revealing how food is increasingly shaping the way Indian travellers choose and experience holiday homes. As culinary exploration becomes central to travel planning, Indian travellers are opting for the comfort, flexibility, and authenticity that holiday homes offer — spaces that allow them to cook, connect, and savour local flavours in a relaxed, home-like setting.
These culinary moments are evolving beyond mealtimes into opportunities for connection, cultural immersion, and memory-making — transforming food from a travel highlight into a cultural gateway.
The research reveals how food-driven experiences profoundly influence travel decisions. As travellers seek more meaningful and personalised stays, holiday homes have emerged as a key part of this evolving trend.
Holiday homes – the secret ingredient for foodie stays
The diversity of food trends and preferences is profoundly influencing how travellers explore the world, with holiday homes emerging as the accommodation of choice for culinary exploration. In India, 97 per cent of foodies say they alter their cooking and eating habits while travelling — from visiting local markets (84 per cent) and experimenting with new recipes (38 per cent), to cooking regional dishes (37 per cent) and trying new appliances (34 per cent).
For Indian travellers, food significantly shapes their travel choices, with 88 per cent influenced by it and 82 per cent selecting destinations for specific food spots. Holiday homes offer privacy (39 per cent), flexibility (34 per cent), kitchen access (33 per cent), and the freedom to eat at any time (33 per cent), allowing guests to enjoy fresh, communal meals.
Dining out also remains a key highlight, with 59 per cent regularly eating at local restaurants while abroad, and 36 per cent booking holiday homes for better access to authentic dining experiences.
Blending tradition with modern tastes
Four standout trends are shaping culinary holiday home experiences across Asia Pacific — redefining who cooks, how travellers shop, and how they connect through food.
The new head chef in the holiday home:
The “chef” role in holiday homes is evolving. Only 29 per cent of Indian travellers now default to their mother as the primary cook, as younger generations increasingly take charge. Gen X (48 per cent) and millennials (42 per cent) most often cook family recipes, while millennials (26 per cent) are the most likely to prepare their own dishes.
Holiday kitchen personas:
Four distinct “kitchen personalities” are emerging among Indian travellers —
- The Traditionalist (43 per cent) who cooks family recipes;
- The Experimenter (38 per cent) who enjoys trying new methods;
- The Minimalist (42 per cent) who prefers simple, quick meals; and
- The Socialite (32 per cent) who thrives on communal cooking.
Together, these personas highlight how the holiday home kitchen is becoming a space for creativity and connection rather than routine.
Trolley tourism:
Across Asia Pacific, travellers are embracing “trolley tourism” — exploring local markets and food festivals as part of their itinerary. In India, 84 per cent of travellers enjoy visiting supermarkets or food markets on holiday, rising to 87 per cent among frequent holiday-home bookers.
Portable pantry:
Travellers are also bringing their kitchens with them. A remarkable 95 per cent of Indians pack food or cooking items, including dry fruits (41 per cent), pickles (37 per cent), spices (36 per cent), and instant noodles (36 per cent). Many also carry utensils such as electric kettles (31 per cent), knives (30 per cent), and pressure cookers (25 per cent).
Celebrating connection through food
Indian travellers are increasingly choosing holiday homes for both celebration and relaxation — with 25 per cent booking with friends, 21 per cent for birthdays or anniversaries, and 24 per cent for wellness escapes.
Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com, said,
“Our Taste of Home research shows that food is no longer just a part of the itinerary for Indians — it’s the heart of the holiday home experience. These accommodations offer travellers the freedom to cook, connect and celebrate food on their own terms, whether it’s experimenting with local ingredients, recreating family favourites or discovering authentic dining spots nearby.”
With over 8.4 million holiday homes among 31 million listings globally, Booking.com aims to offer travellers the widest choice of stays, enabling them to experience the world through culture, cuisine, and connection.
