India has been named Destination of the Year for 2027 by Travel + Leisure, one of the world’s most widely read travel magazines. The announcement, made earlier this week, puts India at the top of the magazine’s annual list, and Indian outlets have been celebrating the news through the day.
In her editor’s letter, Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford wrote that India, a nation of 1.5 billion people, one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies, and home to some of the most spectacular hospitality experiences, bar none, is the magazine’s destination of the year for 2027. The citation praised the country’s range, from tiger safaris and centuries-old landmarks to celebrated cuisine and luxury stays.
The recognition comes at a useful moment. India recorded 9.15 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, about 8 per cent below the 10.93 million peak of 2019, and has set a target of welcoming 100 million tourists a year by 2047, the centenary of independence. A global endorsement of this kind is exactly the sort of attention that helps.
What is the Destination of the Year award?
Travel + Leisure has named a destination of the year every year since 2014. Recent winners include Brazil in 2026, Thailand in 2025 and Costa Rica in 2024. It is not a ranking of visitor numbers, but the magazine’s pick of the place travellers should be paying attention to in the year ahead. For India, the coverage looks deliberately beyond the familiar Delhi, Agra and Jaipur circuit, with the tiger country of Madhya Pradesh and the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland among the featured experiences.
Islands and slow beaches
Lakshadweep: An archipelago of 36 islands off India’s southwestern coast, Lakshadweep offers coral reefs, lagoons and water in shades of blue that barely look real. Agatti, Bangaram and Kavaratti are among the islands worth exploring, with scuba diving, kayaking and snorkelling the way in. Remember the islands operate under an entry-permit system, so plan ahead.
Goa: Beyond the party circuit, Goa has a quieter side. South Goa has calmer beaches and laid-back coastal villages, while Assagao, Aldona and Saligao in the north offer heritage homes and winding lanes. Fontainhas in Panjim is worth a slow wander for its colourful Portuguese-era houses, and the food alone, from seafood curries and poi to bebinca, is reason enough to stay longer.
Palaces, temples and old cities
Udaipur: Often called the Venice of the East, Rajasthan’s lake city pairs grand palaces and marble architecture with heritage hotels and old-town lanes. Start at the City Palace, cross to Jag Mandir, and climb to Sajjangarh, the Monsoon Palace, for views over the city. A sunset boat ride on Lake Pichola, with no urgent plans afterwards, is the way to end the day.
Madhya Pradesh: Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Pench and Panna offer some of India’s best tiger safaris, while Khajuraho’s carved temples, Orchha’s monuments and the prehistoric rock shelters of Bhimbetka cover the heritage side in the same trip.
Chettinad, Tamil Nadu: This historic region is famous for grand mansions built by the prosperous Nattukottai Chettiar community. Karaikudi and Kanadukathan are the most rewarding stops. Then there is the food: Chettinad cuisine has a formidable reputation for spice-forward flavours and aromatic masalas.
Varanasi: One of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, Varanasi is a maze of lanes, ghats, temples and markets along the Ganga. Start with a sunrise boat ride as the city wakes up, visit Dashashwamedh Ghat, and stay for the evening Ganga Aarti, an unforgettable spectacle of lamps, chants and crowds.
Mumbai: A city break here rewards curiosity. Bandra brings heritage bungalows and lively cafes, Colaba serves up art deco architecture and galleries, and Kala Ghoda and Fort offer old-world lanes, while Worli and Lower Parel show the city’s changing food scene.
Hills, rain and desert
Mawsynram, Meghalaya: Widely recognised as one of the wettest inhabited places on Earth, Mawsynram trades on rain rather than sunshine. The hills turn emerald green, waterfalls spill across rocky slopes and clouds drift through with cinematic timing. The region’s cave systems, including the Mawjymbuin Cave, add another side to the trip.
Khajjiar, Himachal Pradesh: Tucked away in Chamba district, Khajjiar has earned the nickname Mini Switzerland of India, and one look explains why. A sprawling green meadow ringed by deodar forests and backed by the Himalayas gives this small hill destination an almost storybook quality.
Rann of Kutch, Gujarat: During the dry season, this salt marsh turns into a surreal white expanse under a huge sky, scattered with colourful Kutchi craft and tradition. The cooler months are the time to go, particularly during the annual Rann Utsav, which celebrates the region’s music, dance, handicrafts and cuisine.
FAQs
Who named India Destination of the Year for 2027?
Travel + Leisure, the global travel magazine, named India its Destination of the Year for 2027 in an announcement made earlier this week.
What is the Destination of the Year award?
It is Travel + Leisure’s annual pick of the destination travellers should watch in the year ahead, announced every year since 2014. Recent winners include Brazil, Thailand and Costa Rica.
How many foreign tourists visited India in 2025?
India recorded 9.15 million international tourist arrivals in 2025, about 8 per cent below the 10.93 million peak recorded in 2019.
What is India’s tourism target for 2047?
India aims to welcome 100 million tourists a year by 2047, the centenary of the country’s independence.
Which places made the 2027 bucket list?
The list includes Lakshadweep, Udaipur, Madhya Pradesh, Chettinad, Mawsynram, Khajjiar, Mumbai, Goa, Varanasi and the Rann of Kutch.
So while 2027 may be the year India gets its moment on the international travel stage, the real work is simpler: pick a destination, book the tickets, and leave room for a few unexpected detours.
