Some places are just too good to visit only once and Agoda’s 2025 Return Visitor Ranking proves it. According to the latest data from the travel platform, several Indian cities have consistently drawn travelers back within the first six months of the year, highlighting a clear trend: today’s travelers aren’t just exploring, they’re returning for more.

New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, and Bangalore lead the list of Indian cities attracting repeat visitors. As key urban hubs, these cities offer excellent connectivity, drawing professionals and leisure travelers alike. What begins as a work trip often extends into a personal getaway, with many exploring nearby destinations such as Agra, Coorg, or Pondicherry. These metro cities act as gateways to larger travel ecosystems, making them central to India’s growing trend of blended business-leisure travel.

One standout on the list is Kochi, which is rapidly emerging as a favorite among culturally inclined and slow-traveling tourists. Once known mainly as an entry point to Kerala’s scenic backwaters, Kochi now charms return visitors with its colonial architecture, vibrant art scene, and multicultural vibe. Signature events like the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and its walkable heritage neighborhoods have helped elevate the city into a destination in its own right.

Gaurav Malik, Country Director for the Indian Subcontinent and Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, commented, “Travelers are increasingly seeking deeper, more meaningful engagements with destinations, often returning to places that offer both familiarity and continued discovery. The rising interest in cities like Kochi and Chennai reflects a clear shift toward destinations that combine strong local character with enhanced connectivity and infrastructure.”

Globally, Asian destinations like Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul, Bali, and Osaka topped Agoda’s return visitor list. Also featured in the top ten were Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Da Nang, Johor Bahru, and Hong Kong, each offering immersive experiences that entice travelers to come back again and again.

Whether you're revisiting an old favorite or discovering a new city, Agoda offers seamless planning with over 6 million holiday properties, 130,000+ flight routes, and 300,000+ activities, all in one place. Travelers can head to www.Agoda.com or download the mobile app to plan their next journey with ease.

Antara Cruises, India’s pioneering luxury river cruise line, has announced its partnership with Serandipians, a distinguished global network of bespoke travel designers and premium hospitality brands. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Antara’s journey to redefine luxury travel and position India’s river tourism on the international map.

Renowned for its curation of the finest travel experiences, Serandipians extends invitations exclusively to brands that exemplify high standards in service, creativity, and storytelling. Antara Cruises, with its elegant all-suite vessels and culturally immersive journeys, perfectly aligns with this philosophy.

“We are proud to join the Serandipians community, as it represents a shared commitment to delivering extraordinary, culturally immersive experiences,” said Raj Singh, Chairman of Antara Cruises. “This partnership opens new pathways for global travelers seeking authentic, intimate, and transformational voyages, directly connecting them with India’s rich heritage from a truly luxurious vantage point.”

Antara Cruises offers unique itineraries across India’s iconic waterways, blending heritage, sustainability, and refined elegance. The cruises showcase UNESCO World Heritage sites, offbeat excursions, and traditional cultural encounters, creating unforgettable experiences rooted in India’s heartland.

Through this alliance, Antara Cruises will work closely with global luxury travel designers and trade partners to craft tailor-made journeys. The association also amplifies Antara’s presence in the global luxury travel circuit, promoting India as a top-tier river cruising destination.

This partnership is not just a strategic move but a celebration of India's cultural depth, seen through the lens of comfort, elegance, and authenticity.

Sterling Holiday Resorts Ltd. has kicked off FY26 with a record-breaking first quarter, reporting its highest-ever Q1 performance. The hospitality company posted ₹1,392 million in revenue, marking an 8% year-on-year growth, while EBITDA surged by 25% to ₹514 million. With Profit Before Tax rising 27% to ₹371 million, the company continues to operate debt-free, holding cash reserves of ₹2,963 million.

Sterling’s performance reflects strong demand for experiential holidays, as well as disciplined cost management. Despite expanding room inventory by 21% year-on-year, the company maintained pricing strength with Average Room Rates (ARR) steady at ₹7,089. Room revenue rose by 11%, while Food & Beverage revenue saw a 16% increase, a sign of balanced and healthy growth.

Vikram Lalvani, Managing Director and CEO of Sterling Holiday Resorts Ltd., said, “This quarter marks the start of a pivotal shift for Sterling, from a phase of transformation to one of high-performance execution. With a strong foundation in people, brand, and technology, we are now poised to scale with purpose, delivering exceptional holidays while creating lasting value.”

The company expanded its footprint by adding two new resorts: Sterling Kastoori in Rudraprayag and Sterling Vanavasa in Lansdowne, bringing the total to 54 destinations nationwide. Sterling has built a dominant presence in states like Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, with strong offerings across wildlife destinations and the Himalayas.

Guest experience remains a key strength, with 30 resorts receiving Trip Advisor Travelers’ Choice Awards. Notably, Sterling Kanha earned the “Best of the Best” award for the third consecutive year, reinforcing Sterling’s commitment to outstanding service.

Sustainability is also central to Sterling’s growth strategy. Through its Sterling Sankalp initiative, the company expanded solar and heat pump installations and replaced plastic bottled water with in-house bottling across multiple resorts. Additionally, in partnership with the Fairfax India Charitable Foundation, Sterling facilitated the installation of dialysis machines in seven hospitals, extending its impact beyond hospitality.

Looking ahead, Sterling is set to accelerate its growth in FY26 with a pipeline of over 20 new resorts. Supported by strong travel trends and investments in technology, people, and brand, the company is transitioning into a new era of responsible scaling and guest delight across India.