Spiritual travel has been gaining momentum in India over the past few years. People are increasingly travelling far and wide in search of faith, peace, and spiritual fulfilment. Interestingly, it’s not just older generations driving this trend anymore. According to redBus data, young travellers, especially Gen Z, are playing a major role in shaping India’s spiritual tourism landscape, and the numbers are quite surprising.
Gen Z Emerges As The Largest Group Of Spiritual Travellers In India
According to redBus data, Gen Z and young travellers are driving the growth of spiritual tourism in India, accounting for a significant share of this segment. Data from the online bus ticketing platform revealed that travellers from these age groups now make up more than 53% of all journeys to spiritual destinations in FY26.
Not only does this mark a notable increase from the previous year, but it also highlights the growing influence of younger travellers in a category traditionally associated with older generations. While men account for nearly 69% of these travellers, women contribute around 31%, reflecting a strong youth presence in a segment that has long held deep cultural, familial, and personal significance in India.
The trend is particularly noteworthy because spiritual travel in India remains closely tied to family traditions, cultural heritage, and personal beliefs. Industry reports from 2024 estimate that spiritual tourism contributes nearly 60% of domestic tourism in the country, underscoring the scale and importance of this rapidly evolving segment.
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Destinations & Routes Driving This Boom
redBus reported that routes such as Bengaluru-Tirupati, Hyderabad-Tirupati, Rishikesh-Delhi, Pune-Nanded, Chennai-Thanjavur, and Indore-Ujjain have witnessed significant traction among Gen Z travellers this year. The Bengaluru-Tirupati corridor alone recorded millions of Gen Z travellers, highlighting the strong demand for established spiritual routes.
But where are young travellers heading the most? From family influence to digital content, several factors are shaping the spiritual travel choices of the younger generation. Destinations such as Tirupati, Rishikesh, Thanjavur, Varanasi, Ujjain, and Nanded have emerged as some of their top favourites.
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Which of these destinations are you keen to travel to next? Let us know in the comments!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Om Dixit & Canva Pro/aluxum
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What does redBus data reveal about spiritual travel in India?
The data shows that Gen Z and young travellers now account for more than 53% of all travel to spiritual destinations in FY26, highlighting their growing influence in this segment.
Which age group is driving spiritual tourism in India?
Gen Z and younger travellers are leading the growth of spiritual tourism, making up the majority of travellers visiting religious and spiritual destinations.
What are the most popular spiritual destinations among young travellers?
According to redBus, Tirupati, Rishikesh, Thanjavur, Varanasi, Ujjain, and Nanded are among the top spiritual destinations preferred by young travellers.