Summer travellers, worried but still packing bags
On the domestic front, cooler destinations, including Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, North-east and hill stations in the south are in demand
Chennai: Indian travellers packing their bags this summer are concerned about the geo-political tensions but have not fully shelved their plans. Lower airfares and favourable climate have made Europe the most preferred destination for Indians this time.
“We are receiving a lot of enquiries from travellers, but many are worried about the recent developments in the US. The US and Europe are usually major destinations for overseas summer travel. This time people prefer Europe more,” said Iqbal Mulla, president, Global Tourism Council.
Increased number of flights between India and Europe also has seen a dip in airfares. Indian carriers like Indigo are expanding their presence in Western Europe this year after having launched flights in Eastern Europe earlier.
“Our data reflects a decrease in airfares this year for key European destinations—Switzerland by 3 per cent, France 2–4 per cent, and Scandinavia 3–6 per cent—across key metros. This drop has further spurred demand and can be attributed to a notable increase in air routes and frequencies between India and Europe,” said Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook India.
Further, with airlines like Air India and IndiGo expanding their presence Australia and New Zealand are witnessing strong interest, driven by the advantage of their off-peak pricing in winter coupled with unique outdoor and adventure experiences like skydiving, bungee jumping, glacier hiking, and surfing.
According to S D Nandakumar, President & Country Head - Holidays and Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, visa-free or easy visa destinations are driving strong demand. However, India slipping five ranks to 85 on the Henley Passport Index 2025 will restrict travel by Indian passport holders to 57 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival.
On the domestic front, cooler destinations, including Kashmir, Ladakh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, North-east and hill stations in the south are in demand.
“Young India’s GenZ and millennials are seeking hidden gems and event-based travel such as music festivals and sporting events, while multigenerational families are embracing scenic drive-cations and experiential stays,” said Kale.
“A key travel trend we have observed is the growing demand for personalized experiences beyond traditional tourism - from forest healing walks in Peora (Uttarakhand) to luxury spa stays in Araku Valley (Andhra Pradesh). Offbeat ocean and river cruises are also gaining popularity, such as the Brahmaputra River Cruise,” said Nandakumar.