Frequent travel becomes the norm
Scapia’s projections for 2025 show that Indian travellers are shifting from sporadic to continuous travel.
Flight bookings surged five times, while accommodation stays increased by eight to nine times, with credit card transactions spread across 113 currencies in 174 countries, illustrating a global travel presence.
Anil Goteti, Founder and CEO of Scapia, remarked, “Travel has evolved into a continuous mindset. People are incorporating multiple, shorter trips throughout the year, centred around significant experiences.”
Cleartrip’s Long Weekend Tracker integrates all 2026 long weekends into Google Calendar, motivating travellers to plan ahead.
Govind Bansal, Head of Marketing at Cleartrip, mentioned, “By integrating planning into daily routines, we strive to keep travel at the forefront all year long.”
Travel expands beyond metros and traditional destinations
Domestic tourism is reaching unconventional areas like Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh), Pakyong (Sikkim), Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), and Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh). On the international front, places such as Barbados, Luang Prabang, and Tashkent are becoming increasingly popular.
Growth is being driven by Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with international flight bookings by women tripling in 2025.
Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia are emerging as favoured international circuits. Destinations like Bali, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Almaty have shown significant year-on-year booking growth.
Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO of ixigo, stated, “Enhanced connectivity, new experiences, and appealing climates are making these regions more attractive for Indian travellers.”
Digital payments, rewards, and forex enable flexible travel
Rewards programs and digital payment methods are facilitating travel spending.
On Scapia, almost 50% of train bookings and 60% of bus bookings were fully funded through reward redemptions.
BookMyForex reported notable growth in currency-specific transactions, with the Vietnamese Dong and Japanese Yen rising by 139% and 118% year-on-year, respectively.
Gagan Malhotra, COO of BookMyForex, noted, “Travellers are shifting from generic forex acquisitions to destination-specific currencies and reload-led usage, indicating more deliberate planning.”
Dhruv Verma, Founder and CEO of Thriwe, mentioned that 2025 marks a transition from traditional rewards-based loyalty programs to more lifestyle-oriented travel ecosystems.
He observed that travellers are prioritising what he calls “identity travel,” where journeys closely align with personal interests and life stages.
Verma pointed out that millennials are increasingly interested in spiritual retreats and boutique accommodations, while Gen Z is boosting demand for event-driven travel, including trips focused on significant concerts and cultural events.
Experience and personalisation drive travel choices
Indian travellers are moving away from standard packages. Data from Pickyourtrail indicates that customised itineraries, which may include date shifts, route changes, and personal activity choices, are becoming the new norm.
Hari Ganapathy, Co-founder and CEO of Pickyourtrail, stated, “Travellers are prioritising experiences that resonate, focusing on activities and moments over traditional sightseeing or luxury experiences.”
Ebix Travel – Delphi World Money also reports a rise in bookings for cultural, adventure, and immersive activities, with searches for in-destination experiences up 24% year-on-year.
Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, added, “Short-haul international travel continues to gain traction, bolstered by easier visa access and emerging destinations.”
Short breaks and multi-modal travel gain traction
Data suggests that shorter trips are replacing extended vacations, with travellers combining flights, trains, and buses for multi-modal journeys. Scapia anticipates that 48–72 hour trips will become mainstream, with destination choices based on convenience and repeatability. Engaging activities like scuba diving, adventure trails, and cultural experiences are increasingly influencing spending decisions.
Vinod Bondi, Regional Manager at PADI, observed, “Travel is now viewed as an investment in meaningful experiences, not just leisure.”
