Hungry for Travel: How Food is Shaping Holiday Home Stays in India

If there’s one thing that binds Indian travellers, it’s their love for food. But it’s no longer about ticking off restaurants or street food stalls — today’s travellers want to cook, share, and savour. A new study by Booking.com, titled “Taste of Home,” reveals how food is now shaping the very way Indians choose and experience their holiday stays.

The research finds that Indians are increasingly opting for holiday homes — from private villas to lakeside cabins — not just for privacy or comfort, but for the freedom to cook, eat, and connect. For many, the holiday home kitchen has become the heart of their journey, transforming meals into meaningful, memory-making experiences.

Home is Where the Kitchen Is

According to the study, 97% of Indian foodies change their cooking and eating habits while travelling. Nearly 84% explore local markets, 38% experiment with new recipes, and 37% try their hand at local dishes. With access to a full kitchen, travellers can recreate home-style comfort foods or explore the flavours of their destination — sometimes both on the same day.

“Food is no longer just a part of the itinerary for Indians, it’s the heart of the holiday home experience,” says Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com. “These stays allow travellers 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.”

In fact, 82% of Indian travellers admit they’ve chosen a destination just to visit a particular restaurant or food establishment, while 36% book holiday homes precisely for better access to local dining experiences.

Meet India’s Holiday Kitchen Personalities

The research identifies four distinct “kitchen personas” that reveal how Indians approach cooking when away from home — the Traditionalist, who clings lovingly to comfort foods and family recipes, the Experimenter, who dives headlong into unfamiliar methods and flavours, the Minimalist, who pares down the process to suit the languid rhythm of holidays, and the Socialite, whose kitchen is always open, where cooking is as much about connection and laughter as it is about the meal itself. Together, they show how food in travel has evolved from mere necessity to a joyful act of self-expression — a shared ritual that blends taste, identity, and togetherness in one fragrant, simmering pot.

Trolley Tourism and the Portable Pantry

Forget fridge magnets — the new souvenir is a bag full of groceries. A striking 84% of Indian travellers enjoy visiting local food markets or supermarkets while on holiday, often bringing back ingredients to recreate the experience at home. This “trolley tourism” trend underlines a shift toward supporting local producers and eating fresh, seasonal food.

And while many explore new flavours, they also carry a piece of home along. A whopping 95% of Indians pack their “portable pantry” — with dry fruits, pickles, spices, instant noodles, and even cooking utensils like knives, kettles, or pressure cookers. It’s comfort and curiosity, perfectly balanced.

The New Head Chef

Interestingly, the family kitchen hierarchy is also changing. Only 29% of travellers now defer to their mothers as the main cook when staying in holiday homes. Instead, younger generations are stepping up — Millennials and Gen Xers are just as likely to whip up family recipes or host friends, blending tradition with innovation.

Holiday homes, with their spacious kitchens and flexible routines, have become the perfect canvas for this culinary experimentation. From beachside barbecues to hill-station brunches, they’re giving Indians new ways to connect over food — and memories that linger long after the meal.

A Taste of Togetherness

Beyond gastronomy, the report highlights the emotional dimension of food-led travel. Many Indians book holiday homes to celebrate birthdays or anniversaries (21%), travel with friends (25%), or unwind on wellness retreats (24%). Cooking together has become an act of care — for oneself, for loved ones, and for culture.

As Santosh Kumar sums up, “Cooking together is becoming a shared expression of culture and lasting memories. What we’re seeing is a fusion of tradition and travel.”

With over 8.4 million holiday homes listed globally on Booking.com, travellers have endless ways to blend flavour and adventure — proof that the best journeys are still measured not just in miles, but in meals.