Visa-Free Travel Surge: Top Southeast Asian Destinations Popular Among Indian Travelers

Rising Interest in Southeast Asia

More and more Indian travellers are turning their heads towards Southeast Asia, with countries like Malaysia, the Philippines, and Palau becoming popular picks. This shift can be attributed to the recent easing of visa restrictions that has made travel easier and more appealing for Indian passport holders. Recent data from Agoda highlights a notable spike in accommodation searches from India, especially towards destinations that have started offering visa-free entry.

Data Insights from Agoda

According to the latest figures from Agoda, the trend in travel planning reveals that the easing of visa regulations is significantly impacting the outbound tourism scene from India. Many Southeast Asian countries have opened their doors wider to Indian tourists with simplified visa processes, prompting enthusiastic responses from potential travelers.

Search Patterns

Agoda’s analysis of accommodation search data between July and December 2024—which covers travel plans for January to May 2025—exposed significant fluctuations in interest towards countries rolling out relaxed visa policies. The year-on-year data indicates that certain destinations are witnessing remarkable increases in bookings.

Country Highlights

Малайзія stands out, as it introduced visa-free access to Indian travelers in 2023, resulting in an impressive 47% increase in accommodation searches. The renewed interest in spots like Langkawi (+118%), Kuala Lumpur (+28%), and the Highlands (+27%) reveals a strong turnaround. Palau, a lesser-known Pacific island, has also attracted attention, showcasing a dramatic 49% growth in searches right after its visa-free announcement.

Meanwhile, the Philippines extended its visa-free access in June 2025 for Indian citizens, leading to a 26% year-on-year increase in search activity. Key areas of interest include Manila, which saw a 43% rise in searches, Palawan at 30%, and Cebu at 25%. Sri Lanka, offering visa-free entry since October, registered a 9% increase in searches with notable interest in destinations like Mirissa (+31%) and Nuwara Eliya (+16%).

Industry Insights

Gaurav Malik, Country Director for India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal at Agoda, commented on this upward trend, stating that the relaxing of visa restrictions directly resonates with Indian travellers. As barriers fall, the newfound accessibility is enabling adventurers to not only explore well-trodden paths but also discover hidden gems, like Palau.

Impacts on Travel Trends

This changing landscape of travel policies greatly influences Indian travellers’ preferences, encouraging explorations of both traditional destinations and newcomers in the region. With ongoing developments and the promise of more countries following suit with simplified entry, the opportunities for discovering Southeast Asia are indeed expanding.

Top Destinations at a Glance

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