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SINGAPORE, April 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reports that faith and tradition remain key drivers of travel in India. Its 2026 Travel Outlook Report shows that Indian travellers are the most likely in Asia to plan trips for spiritual purposes this year. Nearly one in five Indian travellers (19%) expect to take a spiritually motivated trip in 2026, the highest share among Asian markets surveyed. India ranks first, followed by Indonesia in second and Malaysia in third, with Japan and Thailand completing the top five underscoring the strong link between faith and travel among Indian travellers.
This trend is reflected in how travellers respond to major spiritual events and festivals. In 2025, Prayagraj recorded a 233% increase in accommodation searches on Agoda during the return of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The event, held every twelve years, is one of the world's largest religious gatherings and draws pilgrims and travellers from across India and abroad.
India's festival calendar also plays an important role in shaping travel demand. More recently during Holi, destinations known for temple rituals and celebrations saw a rise in travel interest – with Pushkar recording a 195% rise in accommodation searches, followed by Vrindavan (126%) and Mathura (109%). Such destinations continue to draw visitors seeking both spiritual significance and immersive cultural experiences.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, "Spiritual travel has long been part of India's travel culture, and the findings from Agoda's Travel Outlook Report reflect how faith continues to influence travel decisions across the country. From major pilgrimage gatherings to festival-linked travel, many Indian travellers plan journeys that combine cultural traditions with opportunities to explore different destinations. Agoda helps make these journeys more enriching by offering great deals across a wide range of accommodations, flights, and activities."
While the report highlights how Indian travellers are planning their journeys, it also points to a growing opportunity for traditional and spiritual destinations to enhance how they connect with travellers through digital tools. Expanding access to real-time information such as opening hours, ticketing, and visitor guidelines can make trip planning smoother, particularly for international visitors. Greater digitisation through online platforms can also streamline bookings and improve discoverability.
Through its platform, Agoda offers access to more than 6 million holiday properties worldwide, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 travel activities, which can be booked through a single platform. Travellers planning visits to spiritual destinations or other locations can explore options and make bookings through www.agoda.com and mobile app.
SINGAPORE, April 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital travel platform Agoda reports that faith and tradition remain key drivers of travel in India. Its 2026 Travel Outlook Report shows that Indian travellers are the most likely in Asia to plan trips for spiritual purposes this year. Nearly one in five Indian travellers (19%) expect to take a spiritually motivated trip in 2026, the highest share among Asian markets surveyed. India ranks first, followed by Indonesia in second and Malaysia in third, with Japan and Thailand completing the top five underscoring the strong link between faith and travel among Indian travellers.
This trend is reflected in how travellers respond to major spiritual events and festivals. In 2025, Prayagraj recorded a 233% increase in accommodation searches on Agoda during the return of the Maha Kumbh Mela. The event, held every twelve years, is one of the world's largest religious gatherings and draws pilgrims and travellers from across India and abroad.
India's festival calendar also plays an important role in shaping travel demand. More recently during Holi, destinations known for temple rituals and celebrations saw a rise in travel interest – with Pushkar recording a 195% rise in accommodation searches, followed by Vrindavan (126%) and Mathura (109%). Such destinations continue to draw visitors seeking both spiritual significance and immersive cultural experiences.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said, "Spiritual travel has long been part of India's travel culture, and the findings from Agoda's Travel Outlook Report reflect how faith continues to influence travel decisions across the country. From major pilgrimage gatherings to festival-linked travel, many Indian travellers plan journeys that combine cultural traditions with opportunities to explore different destinations. Agoda helps make these journeys more enriching by offering great deals across a wide range of accommodations, flights, and activities."
While the report highlights how Indian travellers are planning their journeys, it also points to a growing opportunity for traditional and spiritual destinations to enhance how they connect with travellers through digital tools. Expanding access to real-time information such as opening hours, ticketing, and visitor guidelines can make trip planning smoother, particularly for international visitors. Greater digitisation through online platforms can also streamline bookings and improve discoverability.
Through its platform, Agoda offers access to more than 6 million holiday properties worldwide, over 130,000 flight routes, and more than 300,000 travel activities, which can be booked through a single platform. Travellers planning visits to spiritual destinations or other locations can explore options and make bookings through www.agoda.com and mobile app.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
India Tops Asia for Spiritually Driven Travel Plans in 2026, reports Agoda
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KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge English will bring together senior education leaders, policymakers and practitioners from across the region at the Cambridge English Leadership Summit 2026: Asia Pacific Edition, to be held at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur on 23 and 24 April.
Under the theme "English Language Education in the Age of AI", the two-day summit will explore how artificial intelligence, teacher development and integrated learning and assessment are shaping the future of English language education across the Asia Pacific.
Addressing the future of English education in an AI-driven world
The summit will feature a strong line-up of international and regional thought leaders, including researchers, ministry officials and school leaders, offering strategic insights into the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
The opening keynote will be delivered by Dr Evelina Galaczi, Director of Research (Global), Cambridge University Press & Assessment, who will speak on "Innovating Teaching and Learning: The Power of Human-Centred AI". Her session will set the stage for in-depth discussions on how technology can enhance learning while keeping pedagogy and learners at the centre.
Strong ministerial and regional representation
A key highlight of the summit is the participation of senior representatives from Ministries of Education across the region, sharing national perspectives and policy-to-practice experiences.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Noor Akmar Binti Jais, Director, English Language Teaching Centre, Ministry of Education, Malaysia
- Dr Nguyen Thi Mai Huu, Ph.D., Director, National Foreign Languages Project, Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam
- Dr Poppy Dewi Puspitawati, M.A., Education Expert and Specialist, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Indonesia
Showcasing regional success stories and best practices
The programme will also highlight success stories from across Asia Pacific, with school leaders and education partners from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam sharing real-world experiences of integrating AI-enhanced approaches in English language teaching, learning and assessment.
These sessions will demonstrate how aligned curricula, assessment and teacher development can support learners in developing language proficiency and global competence.
Focus on teacher development and classroom practice
Day Two of the summit will place special emphasis on teacher development for the AI era, featuring sessions on:
- Building and sustaining a world-class teacher workforce through Cambridge English Teaching Qualifications
- Global classroom insights on AI for English Language Teaching
- Practical approaches for improving learner outcomes using Cambridge English resources
The summit will conclude with a panel discussion on empowering teachers and learners in a changing AI-driven world, bringing together ministry representatives and Cambridge experts to reflect on future directions for English education.
A platform for collaboration and leadership
Speaking ahead of the event, Min Qu, Regional Commercial Director – Northeast & Southeast Asia Pacific, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said:
"The Cambridge English Leadership Summit provides an important platform for leaders across Asia Pacific to exchange ideas, learn from each other and shape future-ready English education systems. As AI transforms education, collaboration and shared learning are more important than ever."
With participants from multiple Asia Pacific markets, the Cambridge English Leadership Summit 2026 reinforces Cambridge English's ongoing commitment to supporting education systems, teachers and learners through research-led, practical and future-focused solutions.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia, April 10, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Cambridge English will bring together senior education leaders, policymakers and practitioners from across the region at the Cambridge English Leadership Summit 2026: Asia Pacific Edition, to be held at the Hilton Kuala Lumpur on 23 and 24 April.
Under the theme "English Language Education in the Age of AI", the two-day summit will explore how artificial intelligence, teacher development and integrated learning and assessment are shaping the future of English language education across the Asia Pacific.
Addressing the future of English education in an AI-driven world
The summit will feature a strong line-up of international and regional thought leaders, including researchers, ministry officials and school leaders, offering strategic insights into the opportunities and challenges of AI in education.
The opening keynote will be delivered by Dr Evelina Galaczi, Director of Research (Global), Cambridge University Press & Assessment, who will speak on "Innovating Teaching and Learning: The Power of Human-Centred AI". Her session will set the stage for in-depth discussions on how technology can enhance learning while keeping pedagogy and learners at the centre.
Strong ministerial and regional representation
A key highlight of the summit is the participation of senior representatives from Ministries of Education across the region, sharing national perspectives and policy-to-practice experiences.
Confirmed speakers include:
- Noor Akmar Binti Jais, Director, English Language Teaching Centre, Ministry of Education, Malaysia
- Dr Nguyen Thi Mai Huu, Ph.D., Director, National Foreign Languages Project, Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam
- Dr Poppy Dewi Puspitawati, M.A., Education Expert and Specialist, Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education, Ministry of Education, Indonesia
Showcasing regional success stories and best practices
The programme will also highlight success stories from across Asia Pacific, with school leaders and education partners from Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam sharing real-world experiences of integrating AI-enhanced approaches in English language teaching, learning and assessment.
These sessions will demonstrate how aligned curricula, assessment and teacher development can support learners in developing language proficiency and global competence.
Focus on teacher development and classroom practice
Day Two of the summit will place special emphasis on teacher development for the AI era, featuring sessions on:
- Building and sustaining a world-class teacher workforce through Cambridge English Teaching Qualifications
- Global classroom insights on AI for English Language Teaching
- Practical approaches for improving learner outcomes using Cambridge English resources
The summit will conclude with a panel discussion on empowering teachers and learners in a changing AI-driven world, bringing together ministry representatives and Cambridge experts to reflect on future directions for English education.
A platform for collaboration and leadership
Speaking ahead of the event, Min Qu, Regional Commercial Director – Northeast & Southeast Asia Pacific, Cambridge University Press & Assessment, said:
"The Cambridge English Leadership Summit provides an important platform for leaders across Asia Pacific to exchange ideas, learn from each other and shape future-ready English education systems. As AI transforms education, collaboration and shared learning are more important than ever."
With participants from multiple Asia Pacific markets, the Cambridge English Leadership Summit 2026 reinforces Cambridge English's ongoing commitment to supporting education systems, teachers and learners through research-led, practical and future-focused solutions.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Cambridge English to Convene Asia Pacific Education Leaders at 2026 Leadership Summit in Kuala Lumpur
