Thursday, May 29, 2025
India’s outbound travel is witnessing a vibrant surge, primarily driven by rising interest in destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, and the USA. This trend is largely attributed to younger Indian travellers who are embracing unique travel formats such as immersive cultural getaways, adventure-based experiences, cruises, and long-haul digital nomad escapes. Their increasing disposable income, digital savviness, and desire for differentiated experiences are transforming conventional travel patterns and fueling international tourism growth from India.
India’s travel landscape is witnessing a major transformation as more consumers embrace frequent, longer, and richer holiday experiences. A newly released India Holiday Report 2025 by Thomas Cook (India) Ltd. and SOTC Travel highlights how changing lifestyles, higher disposable incomes, and a growing appetite for immersive travel are fueling a nationwide shift in travel behaviour.
Over a span of one month, the study gathered responses from more than 2,500 individuals through various digital channels, including both existing clients and new participants. The results indicate a clear shift in mindset—travel is no longer viewed as a luxury but as an essential part of life for many Indians. Notably, eighty-five percent of those surveyed intend to travel more frequently in 2025, with a considerable portion aiming to boost their holiday spending by as much as fifty percent.
Experience-Based Travel Takes the Lead
Indian travellers are moving beyond sightseeing to explore meaningful, event-driven experiences. They show growing interest in adventure cruises, global sports events, wildlife safaris, culinary tours, and rare natural phenomena like the Northern Lights, cherry blossoms, and the Midnight Sun. This strong preference for “experience over itinerary” defines the new era of Indian holidays.
Phygital journeys, which blend digital research with human expertise, continue to shape how travellers plan and book. Simultaneously, travellers are choosing longer holidays and one-of-a-kind accommodations such as treehouses, igloos, and heritage hotels. Hidden gems, spiritual destinations, and unique travel formats are also gaining ground.
Key Trends Shaping Indian Travel in 2025
1. Travel Motivation and Influences
Digital platforms significantly impact how travellers make decisions, with sixty percent of participants stating that content from social media, streaming services, and movies directly shapes their holiday choices. For forty-four percent, the ease of obtaining a visa remains a deciding factor—making destinations such as Thailand, Malaysia, and the UAE more appealing due to options like e-visas and visas on arrival. Countries offering long-duration visas, including Japan, Australia, and the US, are also seeing increased interest from Indian tourists.
Improved air connectivity drives demand, especially from Tier 1 and 2 cities. Forty-three percent of respondents cited new direct flights as an important factor. Thirty-nine percent actively look for deals and promotional offers. Although cost remains a consideration, the demand for quality, reliability, and trusted travel brands is growing. Word-of-mouth recommendations still matter—thirty percent rely on input from friends and family.
2. Increased Frequency and Duration of Travel
Travellers now aim to take between four and six trips a year, up from just two in previous years. Forty-seven percent of participants plan to use long weekends and public holidays for mini-breaks. Meanwhile, fifty-four percent prefer extended vacations lasting between eight and fifteen days, often by adding five to ten days to their typical holiday duration.
3. Rising Travel Expenditure
Indian tourists are showing a strong readiness to boost their holiday spending. Approximately eighty-four percent intend to expand their travel budgets by anywhere between twenty and fifty percent, while another eighteen percent plan to go beyond that, increasing their expenses by over fifty percent. This upward shift in spending clearly signals a growing preference for quality-driven experiences, with more money being set aside for gourmet cuisine, high-end shopping, and premium, curated activities.
4. Evolving Travel Companions
Group vacations remain the preferred choice for Indian travellers, with ninety percent opting to journey with companions. Among them, multigenerational families account for sixty-five percent, while sixty percent travel as couples. A growing segment—frolleagues, or colleagues who are also friends—now represents twenty-eight percent of this group. Meanwhile, solo travel is gaining momentum, comprising ten percent of respondents, particularly among women, older adults, and those whose children have left home. Family-focused getaways, including mother-daughter trips and holidays with siblings or cousins, are also becoming increasingly popular.
5. Experiential Travel Preferences
Experiential travel has become the hallmark of modern holiday preferences. According to the survey, seventy-five percent of participants now choose vacations centered on unique events and hands-on activities. More than forty-five percent are drawn to awe-inspiring natural spectacles like the Northern Lights or seasonal cherry blossoms. Around thirty-two percent prefer adventure-driven escapes, including wildlife safaris, road trips, and outdoor explorations. Culinary tourism is also gaining traction, with twenty-six percent seeking gourmet experiences in destinations such as France, Spain, and Japan. Entertainment-led getaways—including international concerts and major sporting events—attract twenty-two percent, while nineteen percent are inclined towards spa and wellness-focused trips, especially to serene locations like Thailand, Bali, and Kerala.
6. Premium and Luxury Holidays Gaining Popularity
Luxury travel continues to grow. Thirty-six percent of respondents now prefer high-end experiences such as luxury cruises in Scandinavia, fine dining on private islands, supercar rentals, and upscale stays in boutique hotels, chalets, and heritage properties. Glacier landings and curated adventures are also drawing interest.
7. Destination Preferences
Europe remains the leading choice for Indian travellers seeking international holidays, with fifty percent expressing interest—particularly in countries like Switzerland, France, and Austria. Southeast Asia ranks closely behind, drawing strong attention from forty-six percent of respondents who favour destinations such as Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia. The Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Oman, appeals to thirty-seven percent. Japan and South Korea continue to attract thirty-five percent, while Australia and New Zealand are on the radar for twenty-six percent. Island escapes like Mauritius, the Maldives, and Bali are preferred by twenty-two percent, and twelve percent are choosing African adventures in destinations like Kenya and South Africa.
Central Asian destinations such as Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan are rapidly rising in popularity, with thirty-two percent of travellers drawn to their budget-friendly appeal and ease of access. Meanwhile, lesser-explored locales like Iceland, Morocco, and Greenland are beginning to capture attention as well, with eight percent showing interest in these unique and offbeat travel experiences.
Domestically, destinations such as Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand top the travel charts, favored by fifty-five percent of Indian holidaymakers. Bhutan captures the interest of thirty-two percent, followed by the North Eastern states at twenty-five percent. Kerala and Rajasthan also draw attention, each appealing to twenty-one percent of respondents. Meanwhile, beach locations like Goa, with thirteen percent, and the Andaman and Lakshadweep Islands, at three percent, are gradually gaining popularity among those seeking coastal retreats.
8. New Travel Formats on the Rise*
Indian travellers are increasingly embracing unconventional modes of travel. Cruises have become the top alternative, preferred by forty-five percent, followed by self-drive vacations at thirty-five percent and picturesque train journeys at twenty percent. Both domestic and international ocean and river cruises are witnessing rising demand. This shift highlights a broader move towards slow-paced, immersive, and eco-friendly travel experiences that offer comfort, flexibility, and deeper cultural engagement.
9. Phygital Bookings Dominate
Travellers are increasingly embracing a blended booking strategy, combining digital convenience with human support. Fifty-eight percent rely on a mix of online exploration and face-to-face interactions. While sixty-eight percent prefer to confirm their bookings through digital channels, fifty-nine percent continue to appreciate the personalized advice offered through phone calls or visits to travel agencies.
10. Varied Travel Styles
Travellers are nearly evenly split between types of tours: thirty-five percent opt for partially guided trips, thirty-three percent choose full packages, and thirty-two percent prefer self-planned journeys. This balance shows a shift towards personalization and flexibility.
11. Sustainable and Smart Travel Choices
Sustainable travel has become a key priority for today’s Indian holidaymakers. Thirty-seven percent of respondents are now making environmentally responsible choices a central part of their travel plans. Alongside this shift, thirty-five percent are leveraging technology—utilizing digital tools and AI-powered platforms—to research destinations, organize itineraries, and complete their bookings, reflecting a modern and mindful approach to travel planning.
India’s outbound travel is booming as younger travellers seek unique experiences, driving demand to destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, and the USA—fueled by rising incomes, digital access, and a shift toward immersive, non-traditional travel formats.
The India Holiday Report 2025 highlights a significant transformation in the way Indians approach travel. Today’s travellers are seeking more frequent getaways, extended vacations, and deeper, experience-rich journeys. As holiday spending increases and preferences shift towards innovative formats, tech-enabled planning, and eco-friendly choices, Indian tourists are driving a new era of tourism—one that blends aspiration, value, and exploration in equal measure.
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