Indians are travelling abroad more than ever: Check where we prefer to go, where not

As India takes the centre stage on the global platform by being the world’s most populous country, its tourism industry is also experiencing a remarkable surge. Indians are poised to spend over $42 billion annually on outbound travel by 2024, according to an earlier report by PTI. The country has emerged as the fastest-growing outbound destination, surpassing other nations in terms of tourism sector growth.

The number of airports and terminals has significantly increased over the past decade, reflecting India's commitment to expanding its aviation industry. Under the regional connectivity scheme, at least 73 airports have become operational since 2017.

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Moreover, Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has entered the list of the world's busiest international airports, with 59.5 million passengers in 2022. These bold moves have been driven by both government investments and the proactive approach of private airlines, increasing overall capacity and accessibility.

Preferred destinations

Indian travellers are increasingly exploring a more diverse range of countries. While Southeast Asia remains a popular destination, with Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia experiencing significant growth in Indian tourists, CNN reported while adding that, European destinations like France and Switzerland have also gained prominence.

The anticipated surge in Indian travel to Vietnam post-pandemic is remarkable, with experts predicting a staggering growth of over 1,000% compared to pre-pandemic levels. On the contrary, Agoda's data reveals that there is comparatively-less travel from Indians to destinations such as Japan, Korea or Taiwan.

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Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of travel and bookings website Agoda, suggests that this trend can be attributed, to some extent, to the geographical distance between these countries and India. However, it may also indicate a certain degree of unfamiliarity or limited awareness among Indian travellers regarding the potential offerings of these destinations.

Rise of low-cost carriers

Low-cost carriers have played a vital role in India's tourism growth, catering to the price-sensitive market, according to Morgenshtern. Carriers like Air India have strategically positioned themselves in the low-cost carrier segment, recognising its significance in India's aviation market expansion.

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Low-cost airline Indigo recently made an exciting announcement, revealing their plans to introduce 174 additional weekly flights and expand their route network to include six new captivating destinations across Africa and Asia.