recent tourism trends in india

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• Travel and tourism: Key recent trends

Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector's annual contribution in a given calendar year typically ranged between USD 180-215 billion.

• Ranjan Sharma & Ravleen Sethi ,
• ETHospitalityWorld
• Updated On Oct 17, 2023 at 01:14 PM IST

The travel and tourism sector is closely intertwined with the hospitality industry. Operating within a highly cyclical environment, the travel and tourism sector is subject to fluctuations in consumer discretionary spending. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the sector's annual contribution in a given calendar year typically ranged between USD 180-215 billion. In 2019, this contribution stood at USD 213 billion, constituting approximately 7.5 percent of the nation's GDP. However, the stringent lockdown measures imposed during the pandemic in 2020 led to a significant decline in the sector's performance. The year witnessed a substantial 43 percent year-on-year decrease, with the contribution plummeting to USD 122 billion. Advt The subsequent year, 2021, marked a noteworthy recovery, with a 46 percent year-on-year growth, bringing the contribution back to USD 178 billion. This resurgence was fuelled by a successful vaccination campaign, and strong pent-up demand, and in 2022, the sector experienced further growth, reaching nearly 90 percent of pre-pandemic spending levels at USD 190 billion. It's essential to highlight that almost 90-95 percent of this contribution can be attributed to domestic demand. The sector is poised for growth in the medium term, thanks to new tourism policies, increased budget allocations, and the government's ambitious plans to expand airports and infrastructure through road and highway development. In light of these promising developments, CareEdge anticipates that the Indian travel and tourism industry will experience an average annual growth rate of 9-10 percent from 2019 (pre-Covid levels) to 2025-2026, reaching a total value between USD 320-350 billion and making a significant contribution to the nation’s GDP. India ’s share in world tourism arrivals and receipts: International tourist arrivals (ITAs) worldwide, which stood at around 1,460 million in 2019, plummeted to 407 million during the Covid-19 pandemic and remained at a similar level in 2021 due to ongoing travel restrictions. However, with the relaxation of these restrictions and a surge in demand for travel, global tourism rebounded in 2022, more than doubling year-on-year to reach 963 million, equivalent to 65 percent of pre-pandemic levels. International traffic is expected to reach approximately 90 percent of pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2023. Advt An interesting trend emerges concerning India's position in international tourism. During 2021, India ranked 17th in terms of international tourist arrivals, accounting for 1.54 percent of global ITAs, up significantly from its 25th position (1.22 percent) in 2019 and its 50th position (0.39 percent) in 2003. A similar trend is observed in international tourism receipts, which dropped from USD 1,467 billion in 2019 to USD 550 billion in 2020 due to international travel restrictions. However, in 2022, it rebounded strongly, reaching the USD 1,000 billion mark, representing a nearly 60 percent increase compared to 2021 and achieving 70 percent of pre-pandemic spending levels, according to data from the World Travel & Tourism Council. India's rank in terms of world tourism receipts has also improved significantly and currently stands at 14th, with India's share being 2.2 percent of global tourism receipts. Factors such as government initiatives to promote tourism, the adoption of e-visas and on-arrival visas, growth in medical tourism, and a relatively weaker currency for international tourists have contributed to India's improved position in world tourism. As India's share in this sector continues to increase as envisaged, its rank in global tourism is expected to improve further. The resurgence in tourist arrivals is expected to indirectly benefit key performance indicators in the hospitality sector. Emerging trends in air traffic in India: Due to disruptions caused by Covid-19, air passenger traffic in 2020 experienced a sharp decline, reaching 143 million passengers, which was approximately 40 percent of the 2019 levels of 349 million. The restrictions continued into 2021, resulting in limited recovery. India resumed full-capacity regular international flights in March 2022. Resultantly in 2022, total air passenger traffic, including domestic and foreign, reached 84 percent of pre-pandemic levels, totalling 294 million passengers, and is expected to surpass this level in 2023 and thereafter register a growth in 2024. The government’s focus on expanding regional connectivity and airport expansion, as announced in the Union Budget 2023, is expected to promote tourism across the country and positively impact the hospitality sector. In the first six months of the current calendar year (January to June 2023), air traffic reached 184 million passengers, recording a 7 percent year-on-year growth compared to 2019 pre-Covid levels. Within this total, domestic air passenger traffic stood at 152 million passengers, representing an 11% increase over the first six months of 2019, indicating a robust rebound in domestic tourism. International tourism has also rebounded, with the first six months of 2023 experiencing only an 8 percent decline compared to 2019 levels. A similar trend is observed in foreign tourist arrivals, particularly for leisure and medical purposes, despite concerns about economic recession and global geopolitical issues. Additionally, events such as India’s G20 presidency meetings and the ICC Cricket World Cup in the current year have boosted travel, providing opportunities for increased demand and higher average room rates for hospitality players, leading to expanded earnings. Ranjan Sharma is Senior Director, CareEdge Ratings . Ravleen Sethi is Associate Director, CareEdge Ratings.

• By Ranjan Sharma,Ravleen Sethi ,
• By Ranjan Sharma & Ravleen Sethi ,
• Published On Oct 17, 2023 at 01:00 PM IST

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Trends in tourism amid travel rebound in India, post Covid-19

The spread of coronavirus had an extensive impact on international as well as on domestic travels. the last two years were the toughest years ever seen by the travel industry. here's what's trending in tourism amid travel rebound in india, post covid-19.

The Covid-19 outbreak caused the global economy to collapse almost immediately and the coronavirus pandemic has presented an unprecedented challenge to the hospitality sector. Over the past two years, disturbances brought on by the spread of Covid-19 have had a substantial impact where many of the tourism properties were vacant due to travel restrictions.

The tourism and hospitality industry had the worst hit during the pandemic. The spread of coronavirus had an extensive impact on international as well as on domestic travels as the last two years of lockdowns were the toughest years ever seen by the travel industry.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Ankita Sheth, Co-Founder of StayVista, shared, “With several travel restrictions, the economy became a concern for the tourism sector, seeing a complete stoppage in destination weddings, parties, corporate events and even weekend travels. Now, post-pandemic restrictions for travel have been reduced. However, people’s perspective on vacations and travel changed drastically.”

She revealed, “Guests prefer big, open spaces where they can stay active and around their co-travellers instead of being restricted to just a single room. Celebrating special moments together has more value now than ever before. Over the months, the industry is getting informed gradually amidst the circumstances Covid-19 had created and we can say that tourism is finally on its way to recovery.”

According to Vikas Suri, Vice President of Lords Hotels & Resorts, the hospitality sector, which was the worst affected due to Covid-induced lockdowns over the last two years, has witnessed a robust recovery from March 2022. He said, “The demand across sectors soared primarily driven by weddings and meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) and business travel. Weddings, domestic leisure, long weekends, festivals along with business travel will continue to grow in the coming months. India's wedding destinations have a very busy season ahead with hotels almost sold out on most of the days.”

He added, “Inbound travel has still not picked up to pre-Covid levels but the impact is not felt due to the surge in domestic travel, revenge tourism, staycation, daycation and short holiday breaks are the new normal.” Talking about the same, Vishal Kamat, Director of Kamat Group of Hotels, assured, “Now that the pandemic is over, the sector is slowly but surely getting back on its feet. Aside from easing travel restrictions, the hospitality sector, which has been attracting investors' attention with higher occupancy rates, has benefited from the relaxation of limitations on flights to and from India. As economic activity is liberalized and limitations put in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus are relaxed, companies are seeing a rise in the value of their shares. Finally, the industry is recovering from the pandemic and the hospitality sector is a major winner amid the recovery of economic activity.”

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India's Tourism Sector on the Rise

• Sep 01, 2022, 13:55

Significance of Indian Tourism Sector: India, one of the oldest civilisations in the world, is a multicultural melting pot. The nation is one of the most well-liked tourist destinations globally, owing to its extensive attractions and rich heritage. From the snow-capped Himalayas in the north to the tropical rain forests in the south, India spans an area of 3,287,263 sq. km. The country’s tourism industry has grown significantly due to its rich culture and diversified ecology. India's tourism sector ranks eighth in Gross Domestic Production (GDP) contribution. The revenue of India’s tourism industry stood at US$ 247.3 billion in 2018, representing a 6.7% increase as compared to the previous year and contributing 9.2% of the entire economy. The sector was also one of the largest foreign exchange earners (FEEs).

Rise of Indian Tourism Sector: After the COVID-19 pandemic, many reforms were implemented in India to promote tourism; these policies have significantly boosted the sector. Total FTAs in India surged by 406.6% to 2,764,975 from January-July 2022 compared to the previous year. During this period, the US was the top contributor to FTAs in India, at 25.88%, followed by Bangladesh (18.61%), the UK (10.99%) and Australia (5.16%); the US was among the top 15 source nations. In terms of foreign exchange, India's tourism sector earned US$ 6.96 billion in 2020. This is expected to increase further after the pandemic.

From January-July 2022, the Delhi Airport (among the top 15 major airports in India) accounted for the highest share in FTAs at 31.66%, followed by the Mumbai Airport (13.92%), Chennai Airport (10.41%), Haridaspur Land Check Post (8.82%) and Bengaluru Airport (6.70%). In 2021, India's domestic tourism rose by 11.05%, from 610.21 million to 677.63 million. The top states in terms of domestic visits were Tamil Nadu at 115.33 million, Uttar Pradesh at 109.70 million, Andhra Pradesh at 93.27 million and Karnataka at 81.33 million.

Growth Drivers for Tourism in India: India has seen a sharp rise in FTAs in recent months. This increase in FTAs could be ascribed to various government policies and India-based factors. A few of the major growth factors are described below.

• Vaccination Drive: On 16 January 2021, India began its vaccination campaign to immunise the population against COVID-19. The programme's major goal was to deliver free vaccines to every citizen. This campaign was highly successful – almost 200 crore vaccines were distributed in the first 18 months. This aided India's economic opening and made the country a safe tourism destination.
• Medical and Wellness Tourism: India boasts one of the world's cheapest healthcare systems, with world-class doctors and facilities. The country’s wellness industry is well known around the world. The combination of Eastern healthcare wisdom and Western medical expertise has considerably boosted medical tourism in India. The Indian Government announced the ‘Heal in India’ and ‘Heal by India’ campaigns in May 2022. These programmes’ main aim is to further strengthen the traditional medicine industry and make India a global medical value hub. In 2020, India had 1.83 lakh FTAs for medical purposes.
• Rise in Domestic Tourism: India’s domestic tourism has grown considerably after the pandemic. This growth could be majorly attributed to increasing dispensable income and a rise in India's working class. The country has registered higher spending on leisure tourism compared to business spending tourism.

Government Initiatives In recent years, the Indian Government has recognised tourism's importance in creating jobs and earning foreign exchange. Accordingly, it has taken various measures to boost domestic and international tourism, which has significantly helped the tourism sector. Some of these measures are described below.

• Swadesh Darshan Scheme The Swadesh Darshan scheme, a flagship programme, was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014–15. The scheme aims to encourage theme-based tourism to promote, develop, and capitalise on India's tourist potential. As of March 2022, under this scheme, the Ministry of Tourism had invested Rs. 5,500 crore (US$ 687.84 million) and sanctioned over 76 projects in 31 states/union territories. Furthermore, the ministry developed tourism-related infrastructure at more than 500 tourist destinations. In April 2022, the ministry sanctioned 10 new projects under the heritage circuit theme.
• National Integrated Database of Hospitality Industry (NIDHI) NIDHI is an initiative towards Aatmanirbhar Bharat to use technology to empower businesses. This programme aims to understand the hospitality sector’s geographical spread, size, structure and capacity. As of 27 August 2022, a total of 45,152 accommodations were registered under this portal.
• E-tourist Visa The Indian Government launched this initiative in October 2014. This programme aims to simplify the process of obtaining a tourist visa for foreign nationals. This initiative has helped promote tourism in the country. In 2019, the government granted 2.36 million e-tourist visas.
• Advertising Campaigns The Indian Government has promoted tourism and showcased the country's rich cultural heritage to the world through its ‘Incredible India’ campaign. The campaign aims to promote tourism in India on an international scale. In recent months, the government has taken various initiatives to promote tourism. For instance, it launched the Italy edition of Incredible India Reconnect 2022, a virtual roadshow, to encourage international tourists to visit India. In May 2022, the Ministry of Tourism showcased India’s different tourism products in the Arabian travel market. 

Outlook The Government of India has taken several infrastructural measures to promote tourism in the country; this trend is likely to continue. According to the FICCI, India's travel market is projected to expand to US$ 125 billion by 2027. The tourism and hospitality industry is among the country's largest job providers. In FY20, the tourism sector provided 79.86 million direct and indirect jobs. This trend is expected to continue and help India generate foreign exchange earnings. Moreover, India is likely to focus heavily on the North Eastern states, tapping into the huge potential of the region’s rich culture and heritage and incredible landscape. In February 2022, the Ministry of Tourism sanctioned 16 new projects in the region worth more than Rs. 1,300 crore (US$ 162.58 million); projects like these are expected to promote tourism and help generate jobs and opportunities in the future.

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The big shift in travel: trends in 2021 for indian travellers, the pandemic has caused a major change in how people travel. these key trends will dictate how travel sector evolves in 2021.

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The pandemic has impacted the way people approach travel-related decisions, aspects of which are likely to last for some time. Enhanced transparency around health and safety top the list. A survey by Booking.com on the future of travel shows that 77 per cent of Indians mentioned they would only book accommodations if it was clear what health and hygiene policies a destination had in place, with 71 per cent saying they would avoid certain destinations altogether due to safety concerns.

Though it’s too early to predict trends for international travel—the resumption of which will be subject to various conditions like air bubbles in place between India and destination countries, vaccination efforts, and long-term policies on international travel—there are certain predictions on trends for domestic travel.

Local travel, authentic stays

Indian travellers are increasingly looking for experiences that will enable them to reconnect with friends and family. According to Amanpreet Bajaj, Airbnb’s general manager for India, Southeast Asia, Hong Kong and Taiwan, “People are keen to explore short getaways that are a drive away from their homes, and there is an increasing interest in travel experiences that are off-the-beaten-track and offer affordability and adventure while benefitting local communities.”

The one thing that the pandemic has taught people is to slow down and appreciate an unhurried life, which is why there will be rise of slow, immersive travel options. “Be it a workcation, staycation or a weekend getaway, travellers are gravitating towards fuller and richer immersive experiences that allow them to connect, explore and unwind. More and more people therefore, will prefer travel that balances their itinerary with a languid pace affording them the time to explore more while eliminating the stress of rushing around many places to tick the boxes,” says Vipul Prakash, Chief Operating Officer, MakeMyTrip. Even weekend getaways are set to become the new weekend goals.

Solo solace

The solo travel trend is likely to gather even greater momentum; travel was stymied by the pandemic, which will likely nudge travellers to take the plunge on their own in 2021. Ritu Mehrotra, regional manager for South Asia at Booking.com, says, “Our data pre-pandemic saw only 18 per cent of Indian travellers planning a trip on their own while 54 per cent of travellers now say that they will be planning a solo trip in the future.” With 49 per cent of travellers saying that they would want to travel more to make up for the time lost in 2020, this sentiment is encouraging travellers to plan solo trip of a lifetime to get back out in the world.

• 2022 Year-End Special

What will 2023 bring for travel & hospitality

The travel and hospitality sector is on the road to recovery, with domestic tourism touching pre-covid levels, and high interest for international travel in the new year.

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Anubhuti is a writer at Forbes India, currently working from Gurugram. She reports on startups, culture, hospitality, and gender. As part of the web team, she is responsible for running the website along with the team, and manages the LinkedIn page. An alumna of SCM Sophia, Mumbai, she has previously worked with Hindustan Times as a features writer and at The Swaddle, reporting extensively on gender and health. She is a Kathak enthusiast with seven years of training and a lifetime to go. When not working or dancing, she's making clothes out of Indian prints, which she hopes will turn into a small business after she retires.

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• Foreign tourist arrivals in India will cross pre-pandemic level in 2024

Recent tourism data indicates an annual growth of 305.4 per cent in foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) in 2023. In 2023, 9.23 million foreign tourists visited India. Although the FTAs arrival number is still less than the pre-pandemic number of 10.93 million in 2019, experts believe in 2024 we might cross the FTAs arrival number of pre-pandemic days.

• Updated On Apr 29, 2024 at 03:06 PM IST

Uttarakhand starts work to make Dehradun international airport starting with Kathmandu flights

While post covid domestic travel has staged new highs, international inbound is yet to recover fully. Foreign tourist arrivals (FTA) in 2019 were about 1.1 crore. In 2022 that figure was 62 lakh and last year it rose to 92.4 lakh. The industry is deliberating how to get FTAs not just back to 2019 levels but exceed the same. Increased direct international connectivity; more new tourism circuits and ease of visas have been the steps suggested by the industry to improve India’s FTAs.

• Published On Apr 29, 2024 at 03:06 PM IST

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Flexibility, slow travel, pet-friendly measures: Tourism trends set to dominate in the new year

"in 2023, travellers look at travel as a necessity, much like the proverbial 'roti, kapda, aur makaan'.".

In the months after the pandemic-induced lockdowns were lifted, ‘ revenge travel ‘ became a massive trend. It continued for a while, led by desperation from people who were cooped up inside their houses looking for a change of scene. It also led to some sub-trends, mostly destination-driven. For instance, international travel was halted for the longest time leaving people with no option but to explore lesser-known domestic places . Post revenge, travelling assumed a ‘slower’ form with a lot of interest and focus on sustainability , especially after it came to the fore that all this eagerness to travel somewhere, anywhere, without being mindful is potentially burdening the environment and local communities.

More recently, ‘sleep tourism’ was an industry focus with sleep-deprived souls looking for ways to sleep-a-wink. Industry experts told indianexpress.com that hotels have been going the extra mile using sleep-enhancing amenities to create an environment to help customers get better sleep during their stay.

Now, with a new year rolling in, can we expect some new trends? While the pandemic is still very much a part of our life, what can tourists expect to do in 2023? We attempted to break it down for you by reaching out to experts and understanding various aspects of travelling this year.

To begin with, digital travel company Booking.com revealed seven predictions for 2023, stating in a press release, “Nothing will be off-limits and everything is on the menu as everyone seeks to find the right balance in a world of contradictions.” According to its 2023 predictions, the needs of travellers “are moving in a lot of different directions to adapt to changing times”.

It stated that going off-grid will be a sought-after trend in 2023, with 64 per cent of Indian travellers wanting their travel experiences to have a more back-to-basics feel to escape reality, switching off and experiencing life with only the bare necessities. In addition to that, 71 per cent of Indian travellers want to experience “complete culture shock” in 2023, like travelling somewhere with a completely different language.

Among other trends, meditation and mindfulness getaways will be popular; while 75 per cent of Indians want their trips to be strictly work-free in 2023, 64 per cent are not interested in working while away. As such, travelling for business will make a comeback in 2023.

While this is a broad overview, Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Ltd’s managing director and CEO Kavinder Singh mentioned that the year 2022 began with the Omicron wave causing a downtick in travel. “But, since then, the sector has seen steady recovery. Hospitality sector saw renewed growth after months of low occupancy. We expect in 2023 daycations, vacations within drivable distances, and staycations will continue to be popular. Travellers are combining work and leisure, hence longer stays are expected; they are willing to pay more for leisure travel. Family vacations are becoming increasingly important,” he told this outlet.

Singh added that people are travelling within India and abroad. “They are going to Goa , Manali, Dubai, Singapore, Coorg, Gir, Shimla , and many other places. We are seeing high occupancy in western and southern regions. Our resorts in Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala are also witnessing good momentum. Sustainable and responsible tourism will continue to play a critical role; regenerative tourism is where travellers leave a place better [than they found it].”

Concurring with Singh, a spokesperson for OYO told indianexpress.com that 2023 will be a year of “exploration and discovery”, with travellers looking for shorter trips and weekend getaways to experience new cultures. Solo travel and pilgrimage travel will be popular. In addition to that, weekends away or short city breaks will also take place this year, they said.

Travel aggregator Yatra.com believes there will be a growth of around 20-30 per cent in domestic and international sectors. “We have also observed advance bookings for the months of February and March 2023. Solo and couple travel trends are expected to gain more interest, and payment facilities like no-cost EMI and book-now-pay-later will see greater traction among travellers,” said Aditya Gupta, senior vice president, hotels and holidays at Yatra.com.

He added that post the pandemic, the importance and demand of health insurance travel plans continue to grow. International travel segment will also continue to witness demand, especially for Southeast Asian destinations like Bali and Singapore, along with European countries. Domestic destinations like Kashmir, Goa, Kerala, and Shimla will emerge as top locations in 2023.

Adding to this, Vipul Prakash, the COO of MakeMyTrip — another travel aggregator — said that this year, travellers will be seen “adding more days to their standard itineraries”. “They will also increasingly plan a ‘household travel budget ’ and open up to the idea of taking short-term loan options like travel-now-pay later (TNPL). This trend will remain at the fore in 2023 as travellers look at travel as a necessity, much like the proverbial ‘ roti, kapda, aur makaan ‘.”

Going back to the point made by Gupta about health insurance travel plans, a recent ICICI Lombard research paper found that the sale of travel-insurance policies went up by 76 per cent post-pandemic, highlighting the need for travel insurance.

“The pandemic had severely affected the travel industry worldwide; demand for travel insurance suffered a major setback. With aggressive vaccination, receding Covid, removal of travel-related restrictions and bans, and advancement in medical science, there has been a resurgence in the travel industry. People had experienced a lot of uncertainties during Covid times, which resulted in an increased awareness around the emotional and physical wellbeing, financial security and various other risks involved in travelling, and thus, there was increased realisation about the importance of having travel insurance in foreign land,” Sanjay Datta, chief – underwriting, claims and reinsurance – ICICI Lombard, told this outlet.

Travelling international

As mentioned earlier, just like the previous year, travelling may be untethered in 2023, too, with international borders continuing to stay open to boost tourism and also confidence in travellers. Travelling may now “evolve to become more immersive and meaningful”, said Nishant Kashikar, country manager – India and Gulf, Tourism Australia. “Going forward, travellers will actively seek more bespoke and unique experiences. Slow travel is here to stay, as travellers want to invest in extended vacations where they can experience every moment of their trip. They have also become more conscious not only of their health, but also of the impact they have while travelling. Driven by an eco-conscious mindset, they will not only keep health and safety as top priority, but also seek out sustainable and indigenous experiences,” he said.

According to Kashikar, online travel aggregators (OTAs) and travel operators will customise their offerings to suit the desires of the new-age traveller, with flexibility in booking and extending trips. “For Australia, India has been one of the fastest-growing inbound markets. Through our efforts to increase connectivity and travel to Australia and catalyse the tourist visa process, we expect our visitation numbers to reach pre-covid levels of 4,00,000 by June 2023, if not prior,” he remarked.

Making travelling easy and hassle-free

With all this travelling, how can journeys be made seamless for an average tourist? Many a time, people feel flustered with all the paperwork and airport protocols, about which Harsha Vardhan, the CEO and founder of CarterX — an airport luggage transfer service startup that provides luggage transfer from your doorstep to the airport — told indianexpress.com : “We launched our airport luggage transfer services in 2017. Since then, our customers are experiencing a lifestyle of hassle-free travel as part of their routine. Our services like door-to-door airport luggage transfer provide hassle-free travel for flyers for that extra touch of smooth and convenient travel. During the pandemic, we witnessed a spike in our numbers with more and more people realising the need to travel without worrying about their luggage. Even though this is not a pandemic-led trend, we sure did notice a spike in our services because of it.”

According to him, in 2023, Covid norms — along with ongoing delayed visa interviews — may hamper international travel. “Still, when it comes to domestic travel, we will witness a surge in the same pattern that we saw in 2022, or it may even climb at a higher percentage. We can also expect an increase in leisure travelling in 2023.” Harsha Vardhan added that while many trends such as wellness travel, sustainable travel, cultural temple tours and homestay travel will see an upward trajectory in 2023, the one trend that may fizzle out is ‘travel without purpose’.

And what about travelling with pets?

We saw how in the last few months, especially all of 2022, many pet parents were able to take their babies with them on vacations. Will that continue to happen in 2023? “Pet relocation and pet travel along with pet-friendly hotels and cafes have seen a gradual uptick and are expected to grow in the year 2023, too,” stated Aamir Islam, the co-founder of Carry My Pet.

He told this outlet that previously, pet travel or relocation was an ‘unorganised sector’, and for almost every pet parent, the safety and comfort of their furry friends was a primary concern. “Pet relocation services that offer transparent, affordable, and trustworthy national as well as international transportation are increasing in the market. People who love to travel to nearby or exotic places, as well as those who have jobs that require them to be on-the-move, can now easily take their pets along. In the near future, demand for pet travel and relocation services will further increase,” Islam said.

He added that Carry My Pet expects 15-20 per cent growth in pet travel in 2023. “Before planning the trip, always consult the vet to ensure your pet has a smooth journey,” he advised.

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To measure the preferred choice of travel destinations of Indians, Wowtickets.com, a UK-based platform recently launched in India, conducted a survey. The findings reveal intriguing trends: alongside popular destinations like Goa … Read more

To measure the preferred choice of travel destinations of Indians, Wowtickets.com, a UK-based platform recently launched in India, conducted a survey. The findings reveal intriguing trends: alongside popular destinations like Goa and Srinagar, many Indians are venturing to tier two cities such as Pune and Patna. Furthermore, there's a noticeable uptick in spiritual tourism, with destinations like Varanasi witnessing increased footfall. Read less

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Travel Trends 2024 for India: Latest Hotspots, Retro Tech and Celebratory Events

Travel trends 2024 for india show a relentless drive for the new – a diverse range of experiences and destinations, catering to niche interests and clear preferences..

Key Destinations for 2024 are based on trending hotspots and emerging patterns. A report from Thomas Cook reveals that in 2024, a sustained surge in demand from the dynamic Indian market is expected, along with an unwavering appetite for exploration. This report indicates that with experiential travel being a key driver for over 78% of its respondents in its report, the deep desire to explore fresh and unique bucket-list opportunities resonated with 65% of travellers. 

Observing similar trends is a report from Agoda, which highlights that picturesque nature destinations dominate its top five list with Ahmedabad showing a 44% increase in searches, Kodaikanal experiencing a 35% increase and hill stations Mahabaleshwar and Ooty, rising by 22% and 21% respectively. Kodaikanal’s unspoiled natural beauty has experienced a notable uptick in interest and Mahabaleshwar and Ooty are also capturing attention for their distinct attractions, ranging from Mahabaleshwar’s sweeping hill vistas to Ooty’s captivating colonial-era ambience and tea plantations.

Trends suggest that Indian destinations that sport a calendar of events are likely to be big draws. Destinations that present new themes and showcases, hold big-league activities or are in the news for new developments or excite with new cultural travel circuits are likely to drive traffic on account of their popularity on social media.

This is underscored by a Thomas Cook report that event-based travel is emerging as a significant trend, driven by the enthusiasm of millennials, young professionals, and Gen Z. Their keen interest in the thrill of live concerts, events, and cultural immersion is poised to be a driving force for travel in the upcoming year.

The four top spots for 2024 are Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Rajasthan and Arunachal Pradesh.

Ahmedabad is among the top Indian cities experiencing a surge in popularity among travellers, based on increasing search trends observed over the past year by Agoda. Ahmedabad saw a remarkable 44% increase in searches, partly attributed to its status as Gujarat’s financial hub and its role as the host city for the 2023 Cricket World Cup, further boosting its appeal to Indian travellers.

Declared India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, Ahmedabad also houses many museums and art galleries that showcase the rich history and art of the region. The city’s recent developments in modern infrastructure, alongside its historic sites, provide a unique blend of old-world charm and new-age advancements.

Mumbai, often referred to as the city that never sleeps, emerges as a central hub for cultural and music enthusiasts. The global music festival Lollapalooza is set to grace Mumbai with performances from iconic artists like the Jonas Brothers and Anoushka Shankar, offering a perfect blend of Western and traditional music.

Mumbai’s charm extends to its iconic spots like Marine Drive, Shaniwar Wada, Lonavala, and Matheran, each offering a unique glimpse into the city’s dynamic personality.

Moving to the west, Rajasthan, the desert state of India, showcases its vibrant culture and colourful festivals. The Desert Festival in Jaisalmer is a cultural extravaganza, that brings traditional art forms and folk music to life. The state is also known for its rich history, home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the majestic Chittorgarh Fort and the astronomical wonder, Jantar Mantar.

Rajasthan’s architectural marvels like Hawa Mahal and Mehrangarh Fort are testimonies to its grandeur and historical significance.  

Arunachal Pradesh

In the northeast, Arunachal Pradesh, the ‘Land of Dawn-lit Mountains’, is a treasure trove of biodiversity and tribal culture. Known for hosting over 500 rare species of orchids in its dense jungles, Arunachal Pradesh is a haven for nature lovers and adventurers alike.

The state’s rich tribal diversity is celebrated through various festivals, offering an authentic cultural experience. Destinations like Tawang and the Siang River provide exhilarating experiences, from angling to rafting, set against the backdrop of picturesque landscapes. Emerging Travel Trends Travel trends in 2024 for India reflect a significant shift in traveller behaviour and preferences. 

Event-Based Travel

Celebration vacationers are a significant emerging group, with travellers increasingly planning trips around special occasions, often in groups, to destinations that offer sporting events, cultural events and shows, religious events, music festivals, Broadway shows, firework displays, dance festivals and other forms of group celebration. Millennials and Gen Z show a strong interest in live concerts and cultural events. 

Trips for graduation celebrations, significant birthdays, or anniversary milestones are being recorded as once-in-a-lifetime experiences. “Taking a trip is a great way to celebrate a special occasion, and it seems Indian holidaymakers concur. As much as 81% of Indian travellers have taken a group trip to celebrate a birthday or anniversary, with a further 15% saying it’s something they’d love to do,” says a report from Skyscanner. 

Discovery Destinations

In 2024, the trend of exploring lesser-known destinations with a cultural vibe is gaining momentum among travellers seeking unique and less crowded experiences. Destinations like the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, picturesque Kochi in Kerala and remote villages in Bhutan are at the forefront of this trend.

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands, an archipelago in the Bay of Bengal, are known for their pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and dense rainforests.  Bhutan, on the other hand, offers a blend of serenity and rich cultural heritage. Its remote villages provide an unparalleled glimpse into traditional Bhutanese life.

Kochi, Kerala’s bustling port city, has seen a notable surge in search interest. This city, a favourite among Indian travellers, is a unique blend of historical charm and modern vibrancy. Kochi is celebrated for its fusion of Dutch and Portuguese architectural influences, bustling food and spice markets, and an array of traditional cultural offerings. It continues to captivate visitors with its rich historical tapestry, melding seamlessly with contemporary life.

This growing interest in off-the-beaten-path travel is supported by a shift in traveller preferences towards more authentic and immersive cultural experiences, as well as a desire to explore untouched natural landscapes. As the travel industry continues to evolve, destinations like these are expected to attract a significant number of visitors, looking to stray from the conventional path and delve into the heart of unexplored territories.

Destinations with stunning landscapes, which are remote and unknown will continue to surface on unconventional travel itineraries and the moment any of these places goes viral, the demand will continue to unravel newer destinations with similar appeal. Think Ziro, Gokarna, Halebidu, Patan, Mandu, Tawang, Dholavira, Chembra Peak, Spiti Valley, Tada Falls, Arvalem Caves, Munroe Island and many more which will push and vie for visitor interest.

Retro Technology

There is a shift towards older technology for documenting trips, and group trips for celebrating special occasions. Gen Z is leading the way with a preference for high-quality, retro-cool photos using analogue and favouring traditional Instant cameras, Polaroid and Fuji Instax over selfies and digital documentation. Vinyl records and simple plug-and-play consoles such as the Sega Genesis Mini making an interesting comeback. This trend suggests a desire for more immersive and authentic experiences. 

The tactile and physical nature of vintage devices provides an experience, distinct from digital interactions. Gen Z appreciates the nostalgia linked with these older gadgets. In a time where modern technology frequently leads to isolation, these classic devices tend to encourage more social and community-based interactions.

Splurge Travel

A trend towards splurging for comfort, with more travellers upgrading to business or first class on flights is apparent. Personalized and Curated Travel with more expenses and a demand for remote journeys and exclusive experiences is on the rise. Luxury travel escapes with options like palatial stays in Rajasthan, villas and bungalows in Darjeeling, beach houses in Kerala, and Himalayan adventures in Uttrakhand and Himachal Pradesh are being sought.

Sustainable Travel

Sustainable travel takes centre stage as travellers become more conscious of their environmental impact. The demand for eco-friendly accommodations, transportation, and tours with a focus on conservation is on the rise.

Travel Trends 2024 reflects a growing awareness and responsibility towards preserving the natural and cultural heritage of destinations.

Remote Work and Digital Nomadism

The blending of work and travel, with India offering excellent co-working spaces in major cities.  The concept of remote work has revolutionized the travel industry, with the rise of digital nomads who blend work and leisure in Travel Trends 2024. India, with its diverse landscapes and robust internet infrastructure in major cities, is becoming a popular destination for those seeking to work remotely while exploring new cultures and experiences.

Wellness and Mindful Travel

The growing popularity of wellness-focused trips, like yoga retreats and spa getaways, especially in places like Rishikesh and Kerala is a noticeable trend. Wellness and mindful travel are also gaining popularity, with an increased focus on personal growth and rejuvenation.

There is a greater focus on rest and rejuvenation with a rise in sleep tourism and wellness retreats in places like Goa, Coorg, Mysore, Kodaikanal, Alleppey, and Puducherry. India, being the birthplace of yoga and Ayurveda, offers numerous wellness retreats and spa experiences, known for their serene and healing environments.

Tech Travel

The use of technology in travel planning is significant. Travelers are increasingly relying on AI and digital tools for efficient and personalized trip planning. This tech-driven approach enhances the safety, convenience, and overall experience of travel. Budget-friendly tips for saving on accommodation, transportation, and activities, with suggestions for hostels, guesthouses, and exploring lesser-known places are being sought through technology platforms.

These trends reflect the dynamic and evolving landscape of travel in India, from cultural immersion, and event seekers to those looking for mindful vacations and relaxation. The year 2024 is poised to introduce novel experiences that cater to the evolving desires of travellers, further solidifying India’s position as a multifaceted and vibrant destination on the world travel map.

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The 2023 Indian Hospitality Trends & Opportunities Report

by Achin Khanna and Mihir Chalishazar Sep 26, 2023 Travel & Tourism

The Surfer’s Paradise

Businesses across the globe generally operate with an intent to swim through their good years and employ strategies to at least float in the bad ones. However, every once in a while, when a wave large enough to surf in style comes their way, enterprises must relish the opportunity and make the most of it. For the Hospitality Sector in India, 2022/23 was the 70-foot monster wave that is every surfer’s dream.

It takes a seasoned wave-watcher to notice the distant curls developing, the brute power of the ocean taking shape beneath the surface. To ride such a wave, you first must be on it; standing steady just as it begins to rise and declare its might. 2021/22 – the recovery year post-COVID-19 –presented our sector with the opportunity to brace itself, recalibrate its meters and point steadily in the direction of growth. As 2022/23 began to unfurl, almost the entire set of hotels, resorts and lodging facilities across India’s branded universe were able to make the most of this spectacular opportunity. We all rode the surfer’s high!

By the time 2021/22 had wrapped up, the steady recovery of nationwide occupancy from 34.5% (in 2020/21, during the peak of the global pandemic) to 49.9% had already offered both solace and promise to the industry. The ADR, though, had barely recovered, crawling from INR 4,630 to INR 4,951, a mere 7% improvement despite a 25% plus fall in the preceding year. Subsequently, the Indian Hospitality sector had seen a 55% improvement in RevPAR when compared to 2020/21 (which was the worst year in terms of RevPAR over the past 25 years). The prevailing sentiment was one of being “halfway there.” Consequently, many budgets prepared for 2022/23 were geared toward regaining the remaining lost ground and aiming to conclude the fiscal year with figures approaching pre-pandemic levels.

In 2022/23, the branded and organised hotel sector in India closed with a nationwide occupancy of 66.1% (the second highest in a decade & short by just 0.1%), with an ADR of INR 6,869 (the highest in 10 years) and a consequent RevPAR of INR 4,537 (again, the highest in a decade). When compared to 2021/22, this represented a 34% growth in occupancy, a 39% increase in ADR and an 82% jump in RevPAR. There is no question – this year was one for the record books.

A varied set of factors contributed to this stellar performance. It’s not news that Indian travellers have been discovering India in large numbers. The trend of “revenge travel” has, in fact, established a lasting and sustainable demand foundation for the hospitality sector. Domestic tourism was a key contributor to both the occupancy and ADRs achieved last fiscal. About 7.5% of the total existing supply (of ~ 1,40,000 rooms) achieved an average room rate of more than INR 10,000 in 2018/19. Last year, over 12.4% of the supply was priced over INR 10,000, with an existing base of ~ 1,65,000 rooms. Looked at as absolutes, about 10,000 rooms managed this feat in 2018/19 and over 20,000 rooms did so in 2022/23. While the majority of the nation’s inventory still sits below the US$100 threshold, the fact is that there was notable average rate appreciation across all star categories, when compared to 2018/19.

Business travel bounced back too, albeit the inbound corporate movements remained relatively subdued. Domestic commercial room night demand more than made up for it, though. A key factor contributing to business travel across the wider landscape of India has been the growth and proliferation of the manufacturing and allied industries. We hold the view that these industries will only further enhance their need for hotel rooms across the Tier 2 and Tier 3 markets across India in the years ahead. It would also be amiss to not mention the role that sporting events have played in the creation of room night demand across various markets. Hotels across a slew of markets benefitted by hosting the Men’s IPL, Women’s IPL, Pro Kabaddi League, U-17 Women’s FIFA, Hockey League, and so forth last year. As more such events become an annual affair, a whole new segment of demand has taken shape. Finally, the resurgence of both corporate M.I.C.E as well as  Big Fat Indian Weddings added a significant quantum of revenue to not just the rooms business but also the food and beverage division of hotels across several major destinations.

Overall, while the reasons described above may have been key contributors to demand growth in the last fiscal and some of them may or may not recur, the broader point is that India is at a point where our markets shall continue to have other similar demand drivers in the years ahead. The behaviour of a maturing economy with a varied set of catalysts that induce demand is a very promising sign.

When markets can go about business all guns blazing, the benefits are reaped aplenty. 2022/23 was a year that most hotel owners and operators closed on a high note. The good news is that the party isn’t over just yet. That being said, should we employ some degree of caution in our outlook for the years to come, lest we get carried away in the euphoria that was 2022/23? Do read on…

The Goldilocks Zone

In Astronomy, The Goldilocks Zone describes the conditions for a celestial body to be ‘perfectly placed’ in the Universe such that it can enable life. An extremely rare and infrequent phenomenon, such an occurrence is almost utopian. The Earth, as we know, inhabits the Goldilocks Zone. Similarly, a Goldilocks Economy describes a stable, sustainable, and ideal state of economic equilibrium. It is witnessed when most economic parameters are pointed towards an environment that is likely to be ‘just right’.  While growth economies are desirable of course, the long-term quest is to achieve this state of stable, albeit measured growth.

The hospitality business , as we all know, is cyclical. Ups and downs are therefore par for the course. It is not as much the goal to eliminate cyclicity, as it is to minimize its impact. The standard deviation of crests and troughs being reduced is thus the eventual goal for any market. With a sterling year’s performance under its belt, it is perhaps natural for the industry to expect this may continue. The recently concluded G20 summit had a strong and meaningful impact on revenue for hotels not just in Delhi NCR, but across several cities in India. Conversely, with national elections scheduled for Q1 2024/25, there may be a softening of travel and consequent room-night demand for a couple of months that build up to the actual event. It also brings the possibility of the IPL moving out of the country. The hotels might lose the IPL business which has become a reliable demand generator during April and May. Moreover, if the elections get scheduled earlier than the planned April-May period, that could eat into the peak winter months. These factors do create a certain level of uncertainty coming in towards the end of 2023/24 and the beginning of 2024/25. Overall, while most metrics do indeed point towards a strong 2023/24 and very possibly an equally promising subsequent couple of years ahead, there are two important factors to keep in mind.

The pandemic had caused various locally negotiated as well as corporate-RFP contracts to be nullified. Those contracts haven’t been renewed or renegotiated in many instances; corporate room nights have thus been paying retail rates. This contributed to an increase in ADR across several commercial hotel markets. We do believe that some correction in these ADRs may be witnessed in this current fiscal year, as negotiated rates find their way back into the hotel demand mix. Conversely, the growth of leisure and discretionary travel is very likely to continue. This will support a business case for further enhancement of ADRs. Overall, while average room rates on a nationwide blended basis may therefore continue to improve, it would be fair to expect this growth to be more linear and paced.

With a base of ~ 1,65,000 branded and organised rooms operating in India, another ~ 70,000 new rooms were signed and planned as of 31st March 2023. Of these, about 79% are actively under development and are likely to open for business over the next 60 months. That amounts to a 33% increase in supply on the existing base over the next 4-5 years. Two pertinent facts are relevant here. First, given the various positive and promising demand drivers across India, it is likely that this supply will get absorbed with minimal occupancy volatility. Second, a large part of this pipeline is being developed in smaller towns and cities across the country. This too will mitigate supply impact.

 It is a fair assumption that while we may not see huge jumps in year-on-year occupancy and ADR as we did in 2022/23, we will likely see a steady absorption of supply, coupled with sustained growth in demand. In our view, the Indian Hotel sector is heading towards ‘The Goldilocks Zone’.

In 2023/24, the nationwide occupancy is expected to range between 68-70% with the nationwide rates likely crossing INR 7,500. With slight supply pressure, during 2024/25 the occupancy will decline slightly while the average rates remain relatively stable.

Hotelivate , a comprehensive hospitality consulting firm offering specialised service to clients across Asia Pacific and the Middle East, is proud to present the 2023 Indian Hospitality Trends & Opportunities report . The 26th edition of the report has a participation base of 1,540 hotels representing a total inventory of 1,65,172 rooms. This sample set offers a comprehensive coverage of India’s branded hospitality landscape enabling better and more incisive analyses of nationwide trends, performance of major hotel markets, and demand and supply forecasts than any other survey of a similar nature.

The results of our survey and analyses have been presented at an All-India level, by star category, by administrative zones, by city tiers and a focus on the 20 major hotel markets, indicating the best and the worst performers and identifying reasons for the same . Furthermore, a detailed review of the existing and future supply has been conducted at the macro and micro levels to facilitate a better understanding of the growth in the number of branded rooms in the country across positioning. We have also offered additional perspective and insights within various sub-sections of this report for those seeking a deeper analysis of the demand-supply dynamics as well as future trends and opportunities in a rapidly evolving marketplace. 

Preceding the results of the survey, we have provided a brief review of the Indian economy and an overview of the tourism sector. In particular, we have focused on details that have a direct bearing on the health of the Indian Hotel Industry.

For more information, please contact Achin Khanna at [email protected] or Mihir Chalishazar at [email protected]

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Number of private equity and venture capital deals in the travel and hospitality sector in India from 2013 to 2022

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• Basic Statistic Number of domestic tourist visits in India 2000-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of foreign tourist arrivals in India 2008-2022
• Premium Statistic Number of visitors to national monument India FY 2017-2022, by type
• Premium Statistic Number of domestic visitors to ticketed monuments India FY 2023
• Premium Statistic Number of foreign visitors to ticketed monuments India FY 2023

Tourist arrivals at India 2022, by region

Tourist arrivals at India in 2022, by region (in 1,000s)

Number of domestic tourist visits in India 2000-2022

Number of domestic tourist visits in India from 2000 to 2022 (in millions)

Number of foreign tourist arrivals in India 2008-2022

Number of foreign tourist arrivals in India from 2008 to 2022

Number of visitors to national monument India FY 2017-2022, by type

Number of visitors to national monuments across India from financial year 2017 to 2022, by type (in millions)

Number of domestic visitors to ticketed monuments India FY 2023

Leading ticketed monuments in India in financial year 2023, by number of domestic visitors (in 1,000s)

Number of foreign visitors to ticketed monuments India FY 2023

Leading ticketed monuments in India in financial year 2023, by number of foreign visitors (in 1,000s)

Travel services

• Premium Statistic Online travel agency usage India 2023, by gender
• Premium Statistic Agencies used for online services India 2023 by gender
• Premium Statistic Device used for online travel agency India 2023, by age group
• Premium Statistic Purpose of online travel agency usage India 2023, by age group
• Premium Statistic Reason for not using online travel agency India 2023, by gender

Online travel agency usage India 2023, by gender

Share of online travel agency usage in India as of June 2023, by gender

Agencies used for online services India 2023 by gender

Share of agencies used for online travel services in India as of June 2023, by gender

Device used for online travel agency India 2023, by age group

Device used to access online travel agencies in India as of June 2023, by age group

Purpose of online travel agency usage India 2023, by age group

Purposes of using an online travel agency in India as of June 2023, by age group

Reason for not using online travel agency India 2023, by gender

Share of reasons for not using online travel agencies in India as of June 2023, by gender

Market overview

• Premium Statistic Value of travel market in India FY 2018-2027
• Premium Statistic Travel market distribution in India FY 2018-2027, by type
• Premium Statistic Travel market distribution in India FY 2018-2027, by booking channel
• Premium Statistic Value of hotel market in India FY 2018-2027
• Premium Statistic PE/VC investments in travel and hospitality 2013-2022

Value of the travel market in India from financial year 2018 to 2020, with an estimate for 2027 (in billion U.S. dollars)

Distribution of Indian travel market from financial year 2018 to 2020, with an estimate for 2027, by type

Travel market distribution in India FY 2018-2027, by booking channel

Travel market distribution across India from financial year 2018 to 2020, with an estimate for 2027, by booking channel

Value of hotel market in India FY 2018-2027

Value of hotel market in India from financial year 2018 to 2020, with an estimate for 2027 (in billion U.S. dollars)

PE/VC investments in travel and hospitality 2013-2022

Private equity and venture capital investments in travel and hospitality sector in India from 2013 to 2022 (in million U.S. dollars)

Hotel industry

• Premium Statistic Distribution of hotel market in India FY 2018-2027, by type
• Premium Statistic Distribution of the hotel market in India FY 2018-2027, by booking channel
• Premium Statistic Number of hotel rooms in India FY 2001-2023
• Premium Statistic Number of approved hotels in India 2022, by category
• Premium Statistic Supply of hotel rooms in India FY 2022-2023, by city
• Basic Statistic Occupancy rate in hotels in India FY 2001-2024

Distribution of hotel market in India FY 2018-2027, by type

Distribution of the hotel market across India from financial year 2018 to 2020, with an estimate for 2027, by type

Distribution of the hotel market in India FY 2018-2027, by booking channel

Distribution of the hotel market across India from financial year 2018 to 2020, with an estimate for 2027, by booking channel

Number of hotel rooms in India FY 2001-2023

Number of hotel rooms across India from financial year 2001 to 2023, with an estimate until 2027 (in 1,000s)

Number of approved hotels in India 2022, by category

Number of approved hotels in India in 2022, by category

Supply of hotel rooms in India FY 2022-2023, by city

Existing supply of hotel rooms across Indian cities from financial year 2022 to 2023 (in 1,000s)

Occupancy rate in hotels in India FY 2001-2024

Occupancy rate in hotels in India from financial year 2001 to 2023, with estimates of 2024

Major players

• Basic Statistic Leading hotel and restaurant companies in India 2023, by market capitalization
• Basic Statistic Domestic market share of airlines across India FY 2023, by passengers carried
• Premium Statistic Revenue of Airbnb India FY 2018-2020
• Premium Statistic Revenue of OYO across India FY 2019-2023
• Premium Statistic Thomas Cook India revenue FY 2020-2023
• Premium Statistic MakeMyTrip's revenue FY 2015-2023

Leading hotel and restaurant companies in India 2023, by market capitalization

Leading hotel and restaurant companies in India as of 2023, based on market capitalization (in billion Indian rupees)

Domestic market share of airlines across India FY 2023, by passengers carried

Domestic market share of airlines across India in financial year 2023, by passengers carried

Revenue of Airbnb India FY 2018-2020

Revenue of Airbnb India from financial year 2018 to 2020 (in million Indian rupees)

Revenue of OYO across India FY 2019-2023

Revenue of OYO across India from financial year 2019 to 2023 (in billion Indian rupees)

Thomas Cook India revenue FY 2020-2023

Revenue of Thomas Cook (India) Limited from financial year 2020 to 2023 (in billion Indian rupees)

MakeMyTrip's revenue FY 2015-2023

Revenue of MakeMyTrip Limited from financial year 2015 to 2023 (in million U.S. dollars)

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Cruise Tourism in India Reaches All-Time High – India Report

Bulbul Dhawan , Skift

April 24th, 2024 at 11:00 PM EDT

India is seeking to boost its cruise tourism. It aims to attract 4 million cruise tourists by 2041, up from 300,000 in 2023.

Bulbul Dhawan

The Skift India Newsletter is your go-to platform for all news related to travel, tourism, airlines, and hospitality in India.

India recorded a cruise tourism footfall of 470,000 in the 2023-24 financial year – its highest ever. Domestic tourists accounted for nearly 80% of this, as international cruise tourism in India has yet to revive to pre-Covid levels. 

In 2019-20, the international and domestic tourists were roughly equal out of the 420,000 cruise passengers. 

Popularity of cruise tourism in India: While efforts are on to revive international tourism in the segment, there is an increase in popularity of cruises among domestic tourists. Compared to 2019-20, domestic tourists have increased by nearly 85%. Indian tourists are also key for the cruise industry in countries such as Singapore, while Abu Dhabi is also seeking to attract Indian tourists to its cruise offerings. 

India’s efforts to boost cruise tourism: India is seeking to boost its cruise tourism. During the G20 Summit last year, secretary of tourism V Vidhyavathi had said that India is aiming to attract 4 million cruise tourists by 2041, up from around 300,000 in 2023. 

For this, a draft national strategy for tourism has also been formulated with the aim of making India a preferred cruising destination across deep sea cruises, coastal cruises, river cruises, and yacht cruises.

While cruise lines such as Cordelia Cruises and Costa Cruise are currently operating domestic cruises in the Arabian Sea, the government is also looking to develop river cruise tourism with an investment of INR 450 billion ($5.4 billion). 

Europe Introduces New Schengen Visa Rules for Indians

The European Commission has introduced a new visa “cascade” regime for Indians when applying for the Schengen visas. The regime aims to offer longer, multi-entry Schengen visas to Indian tourists. 

Speaking to industry players, Skift reported that while multi-year visas with longer durations were already offered to Indians, there was no standard policy in this regard. This new policy is likely to make the issuing of such visas more standardized across all Schengen states. 

However, this new regime is not likely to speed up the visa processing times, which is currently posing to be a major challenge for Indians as they gear up for their summer travels. 

India’s First Bullet Train to Run in 2026

India is set to get its first bullet train in 2026, said Indian railways minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The minister said that the construction work for various stations on the Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train route has been progressing well. 

The maiden bullet train corridor in India will cover a distance of 508 km, of which work has been completed on more than 290 km. Initially slated for completion in August 2022, the project ran into delays over land surveys and acquisition. 

IHCL Had Put Its Gateway Brand in ‘Cold Storage. ‘ Now It’s Back 

Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) announced on Wednesday that it would be bringing back its Gateway brand from “cold storage.” It will be a reimagined version: A full-service hotel offering in the upscale segment.

Puneet Chhatwal, managing director and CEO of IHCL, called the brand an ideal fit to capture growth opportunities in emerging markets in metros and Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities. He said the rollout will commence with 15 hotels in Bekal and Nashik this quarter followed by destinations like Bengaluru, Thane and Jaipur.

IHCL has also announced the opening of Vivanta Jamshedpur in Jharkhand. The 95-key hotel is the company’s first Vivanta property in the city. Apart from this, IHCL operates a Ginger in Jamshedpur, making these the only two hotels the company has in the state of Jharkhand. 

IHCL currently has a portfolio of 310 hotels, of which 90 are under development. It is looking to open an average of two hotels every month in the 2024-25 financial year. In 2023-24, IHCL witnessed a record number of openings , and its portfolio grew 19% in one year. 

Corona India Launches Sunset View Rating System For Luxury Hotel Rooms… Wait, What?

Corona India has introduced a sunset view rating system for luxury hotel rooms, the world’s first one. Currently piloting at a few hotel properties across India, the system aims to ensure that the sunset views from hotel rooms in luxury properties are in line with what they were advertised to be. The ratings will be granted on a five-point scale on the basis of various parameters such as location, wind speed, AQI, and cloud cover.

Sun tourism is becoming a popular trend among travelers as people are flocking towards different destinations specifically to view the sunrise or sunset views. Kanniyakumari has a sunset point, which is a very popular tourist attraction. Apart from this, Manali and Rishikesh are also key destinations that travelers visit in order to enjoy the view of the sun. 

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Tags: costa cruises , cruise , cruise industry , cruise lines , cruises , domestic leisure travel , hotels , Indian Hotels Company , leisure travel , schengen , tourism , train , train stations , Travel Trends , visa

Photo credit: Compared to 2019-20, domestic tourists have increased by nearly 85%. Pixabay from Pexels

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The biggest travel trends for 2024

By Sarah Allard

If 2022 was all about a return to travel, then 2023 was the year we went further than ever before. Travellers took to the skies, rails, roads and seas to tick off major bucket-list moments, with Arctic adventures, luxury yacht cruises and even the first tourist trip into space.

In 2024, travellers will be putting what’s important to them front and centre of their plans, valuing deeper experiences that leave a positive impact, time spent with loved ones and wellness moments that last well after checkout. We’ll be choosing destinations carefully, slowing it down to enjoy the silence and the stars, indulging in our love of food in new and interesting places, and immersing ourselves in wellness practices that help us live longer. These are the 20 travel trends likely to guide how we see the world in 2024.

Astro tourism | Illustration: Milagros Pico

1. Astro tourism

What’s the trend? Astronomy, of course, is a field of study that has been around since the dawn of civilisation, and the act of gazing up at the stars has long been a source of soul-soothing wonder. Today, the more society falls deeper into an ever-expanding virtual world, the more we feel a need to broaden our horizons in the real universe. Astro tourism, or star bathing, is the act of travelling with the aim of catching sight of astronomical phenomena – disappearing to lands devoid of any pollution, crowds and traffic, where we can focus solely on the skies above and while away hours gazing at the stars, planets and constellations overhead.

Why will it matter in 2024? Increasingly, wellness-centric hotels and spas are creating the space for guests to gaze upwards, watching for comets, spying constellations and identifying patterns in the glittering expanse. In the UK, Port Lympne has opened the Lookout Bubble, a glass dome allowing guests to sprawl out on king-sized beds and study the stars. Further east on the Arabian Gulf, Zulal Wellness Resort is surrounded by the expanse of the Qatari desert – the ultimate destination for pollution-free astromancy, with dedicated workshops and stargazing sessions for families and children looking to learn more about the cosmos. Safari company Desert & Delta organises trips for travellers looking to soak up the stars across Botswana and Namibia, where guests can sleep in tents at remote locations such as the Makgadikgadi Pans, one of the world’s largest salt flats, and spend nights with uninterrupted star vistas. Similarly, Tswalu is a South African safari camp with star beds set on a sleep-out deck in the Korannaberg mountains. And 2024 happens to be a big year, astronomy-wise, from mind-boggling eclipses to spectacular meteor showers – plus, scientists are predicting the best displays of the northern lights in 20 years, according to the Guardian , as we approach the next solar maximum (the sun’s peak of its 11-year activity cycle). Olivia Morelli

2. Eco diving

What’s the trend? A rise in divers choosing their travel destinations based on the sustainability of the scuba centres, and having a more positive, regenerative impact on the ocean once there.

Why will it matter in 2024? In 2022, UK marine ecology charity The Reef-World Foundation found that 95 per cent of divers wanted to book with sustainable operators, but struggled to do so. In response to this, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (Padi) launched its Eco Center accreditation on World Earth Day (22 April) 2023, with the United Nations Environment Program and Reef-World itself. The steps required to earn this green status are so rigorous – including sharing evidence of conservation activities and a real reduction in environmental footprint – that Padi advised operators to allow at least 12 months to hit the criteria, taking us to… Earth Day 2024. After an initial figure of just 11 worldwide, there are now 100, and Padi has set a goal to reach 660 by 2030 – a 10th of its membership. “South East Asia currently has the highest density (more than 20), along with the Caribbean,” says Julie Andersen of Padi. So what does this mean for divers and their trips? “The type of conservation work done and reported on depends on the Eco Center,” Andersen explains. “Those in the Caribbean offer coral replanting programmes, key for regenerating coastlines. In Baja, Mexico, they’ve developed citizen science courses, collecting data for whale conservation.” There are also a number of new Padi courses being launched for any diver to take anywhere, including the Global Shark and Ray Census in August 2024, as well as the relaunch of the Coral Reef Conservation Specialty course before December. Becky Lucas

3. Home swapping

What’s the trend? Increasingly, discerning travellers are looking to stay away for longer stretches, while the rise of remote jobs post-pandemic means that working and living abroad has never been more appealing. The catch? Forking out on hefty accommodation fees while you’re at it. Enter home swapping: the perfect solution to guarantee yourself a (free) home abroad while you offer up your own in exchange – for weeks or even months at a time.

Why will it matter in 2024? As the cost of holidaying continues to climb, home swapping is an affordable alternative to splashing out on expensive hotels or Airbnbs. And while the concepts of couch surfing and house exchanges have existed for decades, several slick new platforms are redefining what home swapping looks like today. Twin City, which operates in cities as far-flung as Lisbon and Los Angeles, has curated a community of 1,100 plus carefully vetted users in just eight months. For an annual subscription fee of £150, members can find Twins to connect with through the platform, and are encouraged to exchange local recommendations for their city as well as their homes, enabling members to feel as if they’re swapping with a trusted friend rather than a stranger. Meanwhile, Kindred, a home-swapping platform where members rack ​​up credits for each night that they exchange homes, raised $15 million in funding this year to expand operations across the USA and Europe, and currently has 10,000 plus homes in more than 50 cities. Members simply pay a cleaning and service fee for each stay, while the cost of the stay itself is free. Or skip out on membership fees entirely and head straight to TikTok, where Gen Z appears to be spearheading the home-swapping movement on social media. Inspired by cult film The Holiday , trending tags #houseswap and #homeswap have garnered more than 23 and 20 million views respectively, with users utilising the platform as a means to advertise their homes, discover like-minded peers to swap with and document their adventures along the way. Gina Jackson

4. Train stations are the new food destinations

What’s the trend? Train stations around the world are usually passed through as quickly as possible, having not been designed for commuters to stay and hang out. Nowadays, as travel delays increase and visitors want more local experiences, it pays for train stations to welcome travellers with shops, restaurants and bars for them to explore. In an effort to create a more dynamic visitor experience, historic train stations are being revamped, with bespoke food and drink offerings as an integral part of the redesign.

Arundhati Ail , Condé Nast Traveller India

Condé Nast Traveller , Condé Nast Traveller India

Geetika Sachdev , Condé Nast Traveller India

Why will it matter in 2024? As train stations are renovated to accommodate more travellers and update old infrastructure, local restaurants and bars are being added to attract more customers. In 2023, the new Moynihan Train Hall in New York City became home to The Irish Exit, a bar from the team behind the acclaimed Dead Rabbit, and Yono Sushi by trendy BondST, plus outposts of beloved NYC restaurants Pastrami Queen and Jacob’s Pickles, with Mexican hotspot La Esquina coming soon.  Platform 1 a new bar and restaurant that opened in November underneath Glasgow Central Station . The cave-like space, with its historic brick arches, serves street-food-style dishes and craft brews made in the on-site microbrewery, plus there’s an outdoor beer garden. As part of its renovation, Toronto’s Union Station launched Union Market in May 2023 with favourite local food retailers Manotas Organics, Chocolatta Brigadeiro’s, Patties Express and Kibo. Meanwhile, in Somerset, Castle Cary station is in the process of a revamp, with nearby hotel The Newt creating a creamery, cafe and co-working space, which is set to open in 2024. Also on tap for the next few years is the completed renovation of 30th Street Station in Philadelphia, with plans for a 20 per cent increase in concession space that will focus on local purveyors. Devorah Lev-Tov

5. Sports tourism

What’s the trend? No longer the domain of lads on tour keen to sink as many pints as possible with one eye on a football game, sports tourism has evolved in the past few years with a new generation – and type – of sports fan emerging thanks to glossy TV documentaries ( Formula 1: Drive to Survive , we’re looking at you). Now, we’re taking our fandom out of the house and following a host of different sports in destinations across the world, planning holidays that hinge around seeing games, races and other activities in exotic locales, and extending trips on either side to see the sights too.

Why will it matter in 2024? A little event known as the Olympic and Paralympic Games anchors the 2024 sports calendar. It kicks off in Paris in late July and runs until early September, during which time more than a million tourists are expected to check in across the French capital. The games have inspired city-wide projects such as the €1.4-billion clean-up of the Seine, which , all going well, will allow public swimming in the river for the first time in a century. Elsewhere, the Tour de France starts in Italy for the first time in 2024, with competitors speeding off in Florence before heading to Rimini on the Adriatic coast and then north to the Apennines through Emilia-Romagna. New bike routes in the area have been released by tour operators such as Ride International Tours and Ride Holidays for cycling enthusiasts keen to join in the fun. Sarah James

6. Coolcationing

What’s the trend? For the vast majority of folk, summer holidays used to be about following the sun, seeking the heat – watching the mercury climb and hitting the sands. With the intense, record-breaking temperatures of recent years, however, many are considering travelling in the opposite direction: booking "coolcations" in temperate destinations, which also benefit from being less crowded.

Why will it matter in 2024? Rising temperatures caused by the climate crisis have resulted in the hottest recorded summer in the UK – just over 40℃ in July 2022 – while 2023, with a sweltering summer in much of Mediterranean Europe, North America and China – is on track to be the hottest year ever. Little wonder that many travellers are thinking again before booking literal hotspots such as the South of France and Sicily in July or August. A survey for luxe travel network Virtuoso found that 82 per cent of its clients are considering destinations with more moderate weather in 2024. Destinations such as Iceland, Finland and Scotland, according to Intrepid Travel, along with Latvia, which is surging in popularity. “We’re seeing an increase in those holidaying further north,” says Andrea Godfrey of Regent Holidays. “Scandinavia and the Baltics are both getting noticed more: they offer a more pared-back style of holiday but have some lovely beaches, and forests and lakes for both relaxation and adventure activities.” Cooler temperatures are particularly well suited to family travel too. “We’re getting far more enquiries from families for destinations that offer summer sun but also respite from the high temperatures being experienced in beach resorts across the Med,” says Liddy Pleasants, founder of family specialist Stubborn Mule Travel. “Kayaking in Norway, with its midnight sun, for instance, and cycling or hiking in Slovenia, which is also very good value.” Time to ditch the SPF50… Rick Jordan

Gig tripping | Illustration: Milagros Pico

7. Gig tripping

What’s the trend? For years, athletes and wellness gurus were the big headliners at retreats. But rock stars are, well, the new rock stars of travel. Call it the Swift Effect. Destination concert business is up more than 50 per cent, led mostly by Taylor Swift, says Janel Carnero, a travel advisor at Embark Beyond. In the USA, tickets for Swift’s Eras Tour cost thousands and were still impossible to score. Music fans are realising they can pay less and have a more memorable experience by seeing their favourite pop icons perform in say, Amsterdam or Milan. Tours from performers such as Pearl Jam, U2, Doja Cat and Madonna will anchor trip itineraries, while music festivals (Glastonbury sold out in less than an hour) will be major catalysts for travel.

Why will it matter in 2024? New music festivals, including Untold in Romania's Cluj-Napoca, are introducing travellers to undiscovered destinations, says Alexandrea Padilha of Fischer Travel. And it’s no longer just about the music, says Carnero. “It’s the social aspect of sharing experiences with friends,” she adds. Hotels and travel companies have taken note and are creating the equivalent of backstage VIP experiences for guests. Global adventure collective Eleven has recently introduced Music with Eleven. The programme’s dedicated team of music-industry insiders (including Chris Funk, guitarist from the Decemberists) custom design itineraries that might include sitting in on a recording session at Flóki Studios, just outside the Arctic Circle at Deplar Farm in Iceland. And Rhythm & Sails hosts musicians on its catamarans. The company’s music director, Anders Beck of the jam band Greensky Bluegrass, curates the line-up of artists who perform sessions onboard and in ports as you island hop around the Caribbean. Jen Murphy

8. Resorts will help you biohack your health span

What’s the trend? Longevity is the latest wellness buzzword thanks to best-selling books such as  Outlive  and the hit Netflix documentary  Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones . Between 2021 and 2022, venture-capital investment in longevity clinics more than doubled from $27 million to $57 million globally, according to analysis from longevity research and media company Longevity.Technology. Now, the science of extending life and optimising health has become the focus at hotels. Blue Zones retreats are the new boot camps and even sybaritic resorts are offering the latest biohacks. Poolside vitamin IV anyone?

Why will it matter in 2024? Since the pandemic, feeling good trumps looking good. “People have become aware of the critical importance of developing a more proactive, preventive approach to health on all levels,” says Karina Stewart, co-founder of Kamalaya, a wellness retreat in Koh Samui, Thailand . This means a new willingness to go beyond diet and exercise and embrace sci-fi-sounding bio-regenerative treatments such as ozone therapy and hyperbaric oxygen chambers, both on offer at Kamalaya's new Longevity House. Luxury hotel brands are embracing the trend too. Six Senses Ibiza recently teamed up with biotech company RoseBar to offer guests full diagnostic testing. Maybourne Hotel Group is collaborating with wellness tech pioneer Virtusan to help guests boost performance. And Four Seasons Resort Maui at Wailea administers treatments such as stem cells and NAD+ (aka the fountain of youth) through its partnership with Next Health longevity centre. At 1 Hotel Hanalei Bay in Kauai, guests are welcomed with a B12 shot instead of bubbles and the resort’s new wellness-specific rooms come with recovery-boosting mod cons including infrared light mats. If the trend continues, the secret to longevity may be as easy as taking more holidays. Jen Murphy

9. Peak season gets the cold shoulder

What's the trend? There’s been a dramatic recent increase in shoulder season travel to Europe’s most popular destinations (particularly France, Spain, the UK and Italy), which is set to continue in 2024. Luxury travel specialists Original Travel has launched new shoulder season itineraries to locations traditionally in demand during the summer – including the crystalline seascapes of Sardinia and Corsica – after seeing 14 per cent more bookings for September 2023 than for August 2023. Pegi Amarteifio of Small Luxury Hotels of the World shares similar insights. “Comparing phone reservations in 2023 against 2019, we’ve seen a 33 per cent increase for March to May and a 58 per cent increase for September to November, a pattern reflected across our other booking channels too.”

Why will it matter in 2024? A combination of social, economic and environmental factors is driving this trend into 2024. The cost of living crisis means a heightened focus on value. For 62 per cent of respondents to Booking.com’s 2024 travel trends survey, this is a limiting factor for 2024 travel planning, so much so that 47 per cent of respondents are even willing to take children out of school for cheaper off-peak travel. Shoulder season travel is also becoming more attractive due to rising temperatures, and more feasible due to flexible working. Layered on top of these practical considerations is an emotional motivation too: travellers are craving authenticity more than ever, seeking a tranquil, local feel when abroad, rather than Where’s Wally beach scenes. Toyo Odetunde

10. Private group travel

What’s the trend? The post-pandemic desire to gather friends or family and embark on a shared holiday experience shows no sign of abating – in fact, it’s on the increase in luxury travel, as people appreciate the benefits and savour the moment, from 3G family groups to 50-something empty-nesters keen to rekindle life-long friendships. Just don’t take Succession ’s family outing to Tuscany as a role model.

Why will it matter in 2024? “While some predicted group travel would peak post-pandemic, we’ve seen it have a lasting, positive impact with private group bookings continuing to be a dominant trend,” says Tom Marchant of Black Tomato, for whom group travel now accounts for 30 per cent of bookings. The company has just launched its See You in the Moment series to cater for the demand: it uses a mood board of over 35 experiences themed around key flash points, from The Meal (a backcountry feast served on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon, for example) to The Challenge (rafting down the Apurímac in Peru, perhaps), all designed to create lasting memories. For Scott Williams, meanwhile, multi-generational travellers are thinking big: why take one house when you can take a whole estate, such as Meli on Paxos in the Greek Islands, which sleeps 17? Other groups are taking to the water, with Red Savannah reporting an increase in bookings for Turkish gulets, Egyptian dahabiyas and Indonesian phinisis. Scott Dunn have seen an increase in bookings amongst groups of friends, with 30 per cent of respondents in a recent survey saying they were planning trips for 2024 that included ski trips to France, adventure travel in South and Central America, and beach breaks on Antigua and Barbados. Empty-nesters are also a growing force, with groups of couples in their 50s to 70s hiring villas in the shoulder season for cultural weeks away, and all-female groups – mainly aged between 50 and 65 – who are proactive in wanting to renew long-term friendships. “We had one repeat group that included several cancer survivors,” says Sarah-Leigh Shenton at Red Savannah. “A hammam afternoon in Turkey was a deeply bonding experience and they’ve since travelled to Jordan and Sicily together.” Rick Jordan

11. AI aims to be your sidekick

What's the trend? Early last year, after OpenAI’s ChatGPT broke the record as the fastest-ever growing consumer app, travellers started playing around with AI chatbots to get inspiration on where they could go. More recently, major travel booking platforms have started to integrate AI chatbots into the booking experience. But if 2023 was the year of AI chatbots wanting to plan your trips, 2024 will be all about how AI aspires to be your travel sidekick. A wave of new AI-powered features and products aims to support travellers on the ground – all while raising concerns around the potential negative impacts as AI becomes more widely integrated with our travels.

Why will it matter in 2024? AI will start to make more real-time interventions in our travels in 2024. One practical example is live translation , which Samsung plans to launch on its 2024 Galaxy devices. Imagine calling somewhere you want to visit to get information without worrying about whether staff speak the same language as you. Another example is greater AI personalisation in popular apps you already use. Uber’s CEO Dara Khosrowshahi has recently touted the company's increasing use of personalised AI algorithms , which will learn about your habits and make suggestions based on what you’re doing. For the true early adopters, real-time travel interventions could also mean ditching your screen entirely and clipping a screenless personal translator and travel assistant to your chest. This is the unusual idea behind the new talking and projecting AI Pin from Humane , a start-up backed by investors including OpenAI’s Sam Altman, that promises to function a bit like the universal translator from Star Trek . Will anyone want to actually wear the pin or will it go the way of previously hyped devices such as Google Glass? It certainly raises a host of ethical questions about privacy and data protection. Yet the more that AI products successfully help in addressing on-the-go problems, the more travellers will come to rely on them too. JD Shadel

12. Skip-gen travel

What’s the trend? Skip-gen travel describes when grandparents holiday with grandchildren, in other words, "skipping" a generation. “In the past few months, I've had around twice as many enquiries as usual for grandchild/grandchild bookings,” says Clio Wood, founder of family retreat company &Breathe . “There’s been a rising trend of grandparents taking their grandchildren away,” agrees Ollie Summers, Head of Sales at bespoke operator Scott Dunn . “Often to places that have a sentimental meaning to them.”

Why will it matter in 2024? Several travel agencies have created itineraries to cater specifically for this demand in 2024. “Skip-gen safaris are emerging as a micro-trend from the UK, reflecting a niche traveller group now well established in the US luxury market,” says Liane Goldring of Mahlatini Luxury Travel . “The grandparents are usually in their 70s and still active enough to fully embrace a fully guided safari adventure.” Original Travel, meanwhile, has relaunched its Bonding Holidays Collection , featuring trips focussed on discovering something new together, such as its 14-day Family Ranching itinerary in the American West. Some of this growth can be attributed to big-ticket lockdown promises coming to fruition. Now, amid the UK’s cost of living crisis, parents are also keen to make the most of the time and childcare support of their typically baby boomer, more comfortably retired parents. Plus, the global ratio of living grandparents to grandchildren is higher than ever, thanks to a combined increase in life expectancy and drop in the number of children per person. We’re even said to be living in the "the age of the grandparent". Don’t expect this trend – or your grandparents – to slow down anytime soon. Becky Lucas

Glamorous train travel | Illustration: Milagros Pico

13. Train travel gets glam

What’s the trend? Rising climate consciousness has fuelled a rail travel revival, the luxury train niche is reaching new heights of popularity, extravagance and ambition. Travel booking platforms are reporting growing demand for luxury rail trips , where the journey is, yes, the destination. In fact, new design-forward train lines increasingly rival the finest hotels for the culinary experiences and bells and whistles on offer.

Why will it matter in 2024? A new wave of rail lines and itineraries launching in 2024 puts an emphasis on deeper immersion into the culture and landscapes of the destinations, which are more and more off the beaten track. Responding to growing demand for luxury train travel among its user base, specialist platform Railbookers plans to launch arguably the most geographically extensive and expensive luxury train itinerary around. With prices per person starting at $113,599, the 80-day Around the World by Luxury Train voyage will cross four continents and 13 countries. Beginning in August, the slow journey will string together existing luxury rail trips including Canada’s Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver to Jasper and India’s Maharajas Express from Delhi to Mumbai. In Asia, the previously paused Eastern & Oriental Express is making a grand comeback starting in February, with carriages getting an upscale revamp and its legendary route being retraced through Malaysia's landscapes. Meanwhile, Japan is a hot destination for its scenic train journeys such as the exclusive Train Suite Shiki-shima, which quickly closed applications for its 2024 trips due to demand. And in Europe, six new train lines will commence or terminate in Rome under Accor's La Dolce Vita umbrella, with suites designed by starchitects Dimorestudio, building on the cultural legacy of the famous Orient Express . JD Shadel

14. Restaurateur-owned hotels

What’s the trend? Restaurants and hotels are the two linchpins of the hospitality industry. And naturally, the two are often intertwined on one premises. Until recently, though, most hotels weren’t started or owned by restaurateurs. Yet as food-focused travel keeps increasing, with people hankering for the next hot reservation and planning entire trips around discovering a culture through its food, it makes sense that restaurateurs are adding hotelier to their CVs – and ensuring their new properties have impressive food offerings. We’d be remiss not to mention Nobu, which began as a restaurant in 1994 and in 2013 launched its global hotel brand, as a harbinger of the trend.

Why will it matter in 2024? Just as design brands (RH, West Elm) have opened hotels in recent years, now restaurateurs are getting in on the action. In the USA, restaurateur and 12-time James Beard award nominee Sam Fox has just launched the Global Ambassador in Phoenix, Arizona, with five restaurants. Santa Barbara’s Good Lion Hospitality is relaunching Petit Soleil , a Californian wine country boutique hotel, with a new bar and restaurant slated for next spring. The Lafayette Hotel & Club was debuted last summer in San Diego by Arsalun Tafazoli, founder of a local hospitality group that operates 16 bars and restaurants. The hotel has five restaurants and bars, with two more opening by the end of the year. In Dallas, Harwood International, which owns a dozen or so restaurants in the area, opened Hôtel Swexan in June. In the St Gallen region of Switzerland two hotels were recently added to beloved restaurants: the revamped Mammertsberg  and  Gasthaus Traube . In Slovenia, AS Hotel is a new place to stay launched Sebastjan Raspopović, son of chef Svetozar Raspopović-Pope of renowned restaurant Gostilna AS in Lublijana. Aside from a restaurant by Raspopović-Pope, the hotel has an eatery by Michelin-lauded chef Ana Roš. Finally,  R48 , and its lauded Chef’s Table, was opened in Tel Aviv last spring by R2M Hospitality Group, which also runs restaurants CoffeeBar and Herzl 16. Devorah Lev-Tov

15. Silent travel

What’s the trend? In an age of overstimulation, silence might be just what we need from our travels in 2024. Offering a chance to restore and reset, silent travel represents a more mindful kind of trip, one that doesn’t leave you needing a holiday to recover from your holiday. Silent meditation retreats are an increasingly popular wellness trend, but silent travel also encompasses secluded nature resorts, sleep retreats , quiet hotels , silent walking tours and even silent disco and concert experiences.

Why will it matter in 2024? Saturated with stress and screen time, many of us are looking for ways to disconnect. The silent walking trend that recently took TikTok by storm reflects a growing impulse to escape the noise of our tech-fuelled lives and embrace the quiet, with promising implications for wellbeing. One 2015 study suggests silence may help to stimulate brain development, while another found that two minutes of silence during or after relaxing music increased the music's calming effects. With the Global Wellness Institute forecasting a 21 per cent increase in wellness tourism in the next two years, what better counter to the chaos of our always-on lives than silence? Silent travel is also part of a move towards more sustainable tourism. Quiet Parks International , for example, offers unique nature experiences in dedicated quiet spaces, reducing noise pollution for the surrounding wildlife. Silent travel opportunities abound in 2024. Kick off the year with a silent retreat in Portugal (with Innate ) or Italy (with Mandali ). More adventurous silent-seekers can trek the peaceful Japanese Kumano Kodo trail, or explore Finland’s Arctic landscape with a Silence & Nature Tour . For a tailor-made silent experience, Black Tomato’s Blink camp offers luxury accommodation in the world’s most remote settings, while its Get Lost programme promises to help you find yourself by getting lost in a far-flung location. Tasha Kleeman

16. Urban gardens

What’s the trend? Never mind the biophilic office and those pot plants you forget to water: whole cities are going green as architects and planners create leafy microclimates amid the grey concrete to help keep us cooler, connect communities and even feed us.

Why will it matter in 2024? Having trees and gardens in our cities is a pretty good idea. King Nebuchadnezzar certainly thought so, which is why his Hanging Gardens of Babylon made it into travel’s first-ever bucket list – the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World – back in the 2nd century BC. Nowadays planting trees creates much-needed shade, stores carbon and increases biodiversity, but it also makes our cityscapes so much nicer. While Valencia, an early adopter of urban greening with its 12km-long Turia Garden in 1986, is the 2024 European Green Capital, France is busy planting trees like there’s no tomorrow: go to Paris for the 2024 Olympics and you’ll spot budding new forests growing in Place du Colonel-Fabien, Place de Catalogne and in the Charonne district, while Bordeaux’s Grandeur Nature project includes urban cooling islands, micro-forests and rain gardens. All of which will doubtless be discussed at the ISHS Green Cities 2024 symposium, hosted by RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, England, in September. Meanwhile, on Cyprus – an island that experienced temperatures of 44℃ in 2023 – the new Salina Park opens in time for summer shade in the seaside city of Larnaca. In Brazil, Rio’s Hortas Cariocas is a groundbreaking achievement that will be completed by the end of 2024: the largest urban vegetable garden in the world, connecting 56 community gardens across favelas and schools. And in London, the £1-billion Google building in King’s Cross will show just what can be done with one structure. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick, the "landscraper" – only 11 storeys high but stretching out longer than the Shard is tall – is hoped to provide a blueprint for future urban projects: running along the rooftop is a multi-level garden, with wildflowers, lawns and decked seating areas, set with more than 55,000 plants and 250 trees. Can you dig it? Rick Jordan

17. Back-of-house tours

What’s the trend? Greener hotels giving us a look behind the scenes to show us – not just tell us – they're sustainable. We don't mean a look-see at solar panels or composting, but heart-lifting experiential tours that help us appreciate why it matters to support socio-economic uplift through tourism. In South America, Blue Apple Beach invites visitors to get up close and personal with the community work it does in Colombia through its impact fund. Founder Portia Hart wanted more than token-gesture carbon offsetting, where locals themselves could decide how money was spent. In Africa, guests of the Bushcamp Company contribute to initiatives through the Luangwa Conservation and Community Fund. A popular excursion in Zambia is visiting the boreholes that are installed with outreach funds. Each pump provides fresh drinking water to hundreds of people a day, and visitors who spend time with those gathered get a very tangible insight into how such provisions funded by hospitality can literally change lives in regions most affected by a warming planet.

Why will it matter in 2024? Transparency is on the up as the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive comes into force and greenwashing is coming close to being officially outlawed. A year of droughts, floods and heatwaves also reminds us we need to make better-informed choices in our travel planning – and all the better if we can also get a crash course in the science and sociology of positive impact. Experiences that go beyond explaining responsible practices, but demonstrate a deep respect for communities on the climate-change frontlines and help make their challenges relatable to visitors are especially helpful. Juliet Kinsman

18. Wild feasting

What’s the trend? Have you ever noticed how food always tastes better outdoors? But in today’s modern world many of us are more used to eating a sandwich while staring at a screen. Wild feasting describes the trend for beautifully curated culinary experiences in natural environments with the incorporation of hyper-local and foraged ingredients. In Sweden, for example, you can tap into a network of do-it-yourself outdoor restaurants where you book a table in a scenic location, search for nettles, birch leaves, lingonberries and trumpet chanterelles, and then cook them on an open fire according to a recipe card provided by a Michelin-grade chef.

Why will it matter in 2024? A greater range of wild feasting opportunities will give urbanites a chance to properly connect over food. Leading the way is Noah Ellis, founder of the UK's Nomadic Dinners. “Since launching in 2018, we experienced compounded year-on-year growth for our feasting and foraging experiences,” he says. In 2024 he will be hosting a new series of fire feasts, including one set among the bluebells. Also tapping into the zeitgeist is TikTok star Alexis Nikole Nelson (aka the Black Forager) who will publish a book about wild food in 2024. And don’t forget, 2024 is the last year you will be able to eat at Copenhagen’s legendary, foraging-focused restaurant Noma before it turns into a test kitchen and closes to the public. Another innovator is Holmen Lofoten’s Kitchen On The Edge Of The World series in the Norwegian Arctic Circle, where guests can participate in four nights of wild feasts cooked by top chefs. In 2024, these will include Lennox Hastie, José Pizarro and Heidi Bjerkan. Ingunn Rasmussen, owner of Holmen Lofoten, says: “Now, as when we were little kids, gathering around a bonfire in the wilderness, sharing stories, feasting under the stars in these magical, remote surroundings is one of the absolute highlights, both for our guests and for us.” Jenny Southan

19. Plan-free travel

What's the trend? Saying no to endless scrolling to plan every inch of a trip, and saying yes to spontaneity instead. The power of the algorithm-spawned era of Fomo travel is waning, with those once secret spots made Insta-famous becoming tired and cookie-cutter, and the drive to plan a trip around them losing momentum. The rising counter movement is travel with no plans at all.

Why will it matter in 2024? The plan-free appeal is going one step further in 2024. Booking.com recently reported that 50 per cent of UK travellers want to book a surprise trip in 2024, where everything, even the destination, is unknown until arrival. And it’s possible to do it via travel companies such as Black Tomato, whose Get Lost service offers customers the ability to simply select a preferred environment – polar, jungle, desert, mountain or coastal – and leave its team decide everything else. “While we launched Get Lost several years ago, post-pandemic we’ve seen a notable and rising uptick in bookings and enquiries,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. Journee offers a similar surprise element, with travellers only finding out where they’re going at the airport. The service, which includes a full itinerary and access to a team via Whatsapp, is particularly popular with solo female travellers, while overall demand has grown so much that the London-based brand recently launched trips in the USA. Lauren Burvill

20. Frontier tourism

What’s the trend? To go above and beyond. Or below and under. As crossings of the tumultuous Drake Passage to Antarctica rack up millions of TikTok views and traffic jams form on Everest, canny travellers are seeking more individual, less obvious experiences that combine thrill-seeking with more meaningful self-empowerment.

Why will it matter in 2024? One person’s frontier is another’s backyard, of course, so frontiers are entirely subjective here. For some, this could mean being the first to camp under the stars in a remote landscape, or hike an ancient pilgrimage trail that’s been off the map for centuries. It’s still possible to bag a rare place on a Kamba African Rainforest Experience in the Republic of the Congo, being one of just 12 people to explore a game park the size of Belgium. Black Tomato, meanwhile, is designing an intrepid new expedition to the remote Mitre Peninsula in Argentina, along with a trip in Peru navigating the Sacred Valley of the Incas by raft. “This sort of adventure goes beyond bragging rights and is more akin to self-empowerment and the gratification of pushing our own horizons,” says Black Tomato co-founder Tom Marchant. The Ultimate Travel Company is also heading to Peru, a country repositioning itself for luxury travellers, with stays at Puqio, its first tented exploration camp,, in the remote Colca Valley in the Southern Peruvian Andes. Wilderness camping is also pegging out fresh terrain in Kyrgyzstan, with yurt stays on the steppes trending for 2024, according to Wild Frontiers, as is Mongolia; while Albania, Mongolia, Pakistan and the Empty Quarter of Oman are all on the radar for an increasing number of travellers. And while the space-age pods of White Desert have already sold out for New Year’s Eve 2024 and 2025, latter-day frontiersfolk can take the path less travelled and explore the frozen continent’s southern coast (99 per cent of visitors go from South America to the northwest) with The Ultimate Travel Company’s new Ross Sea cruises, seeing the Ross Ice Shelf and Transantarctic Mountains. Don’t forget to pack your penknife. Rick Jordan

First published on CNT UK.

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Travel trends in 2023: Digital detox, regenerative travel and ‘inner peace’

• The cautious optimism of 2022 has been replaced by overwhelming positivity around travelling in 2023, according to Booking.com, Tourism New Zealand, Kayak, and Virtuoso.
• Sustainability, wellness and unique experiences are the top reasons influencing people’s destination choices in 2023.
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Heightened optimism around travelling in 2023

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This destination in Northeast India has witnessed record-breaking tourist arrivals in 2024 so far

With a promising start in 2024, the sikkim tourism department is projecting a potential milestone of 1.2 million tourist arrivals by the year-end if the current growth rate persists..

Opportunities for industry leaders as new travelers take to the skies

Travel fell sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic—airline revenues dropped by 60 percent in 2020, and air travel and tourism are not expected to return to 2019 levels before 2024. 1 “ Back to the future? Airline sector poised for change post-COVID-19 ,” McKinsey, April 2, 2021; “ What will it take to go from ‘travel shock’ to surge? ” McKinsey, November 23, 2021. While this downturn is worrisome, it is likely to be temporary. McKinsey’s latest survey of more than 5,500 air travelers around the world shows that the aviation industry faces an even bigger challenge: sustainability.

The survey results indicate emerging trends in passenger priorities:

About the survey

We asked about 5,500 people in 13 countries, half of them women, to answer 36 questions in July 2021. Each had taken one or more flights in the previous 12 months. More than 25 percent took at least half of their flights for business reasons; 5 percent had taken more than eight flights in the previous 24 months. They ranged in age from 18 to over 75 and hailed from the US and Canada, the UK, Sweden, Spain, Poland, Germany, Saudi Arabia, India, China, Japan, Australia, and Brazil.

Topics included concerns about climate change and carbon emissions, carbon reduction measures, and factors influencing tourism stays and activities.

We compared the results to those of a survey asking the same questions that we conducted in July 2019.

• Most passengers understand that aviation has a significant impact on the environment. Emissions are now the top concern of respondents in 11 of the 13 countries polled, up from four in the 2019 survey. More than half of respondents said they’re “really worried” about climate change, and that aviation should become carbon neutral in the future.
• Travelers continue to prioritize price and connections over sustainability in booking decisions, for now. This may be partly because no airline has built a business system or brand promise on sustainability. Also, some consumers may currently be less concerned about their own impact because they’re flying less frequently in the pandemic. That said, almost 40 percent of travelers globally are now willing to pay at least two percent more for carbon-neutral tickets, or about $20 for a $1,000 round-trip, and 36 percent plan to fly less to reduce their climate impact.
• Attitudes and preferences vary widely among countries and customer segments. Around 60 percent of travelers in Spain are willing to pay more for carbon-neutral flights, for example, compared to nine percent in India and two percent in Japan.

This article outlines steps that airlines, airports, and their suppliers could take to respond to changing attitudes and preferences. The survey findings suggest that airlines may need to begin with gaining a deeper understanding of changes across heterogenous customer segments and geographies. With those insights in hand, they could tailor their communications, products, and services to differentiate their brands, build awareness among each passenger segment, and better connect with customers.

Would you like to learn more about our Travel, Logistics & Infrastructure Practice ?

The survey findings point to fundamental and ongoing changes in consumer behavior.

After a decade of steady growth in passenger traffic, air travel was hit hard by the pandemic. International air travel immediately fell by almost 100 percent, and overall bookings declined by more than 60 percent for 2020, according to Airports Council International. At the time of writing, revenue passenger miles have returned to close to pre-pandemic levels in the United States, but still lag behind in other markets. 2 “COVID-19: October 2021 traffic data,” International Air Transport Association (IATA), December 8, 2021. In its October 2021 report, before the Omicron variant emerged, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecast that the industry’s losses would be around $52 billion in 2021 and $12 billion in 2022. 3 “Economic performance of the airline industry,” IATA, October 4, 2021.

Furthermore, travelers’ preferences and behaviors have changed sharply during the pandemic, particularly around health and safety requirements. An Ipsos survey for the World Economic Forum found that, on average, three in four adults across 28 countries agreed that COVID-19 vaccine passports should be required of travelers to enter their country and that they would be effective in making travel and large events safe. 4 “Global public backs COVID-19 vaccine passports for international travel,” Ipsos, April 28, 2021. And a 2021 survey by Expedia Group found that people buying plane tickets now care more about health, safety, and flexibility than previously. But, there is also renewed interest in travel as nearly one in five travelers expected travel to be the thing they spent the most on in 2021, one in three had larger travel budgets for the year, and many were looking for new experiences such as once-in-a-lifetime trips. 5 “New research: How travelers are making decisions for the second half of 2021,” Skift, August 26, 2021.

Comparing McKinsey’s 2019 and 2021 survey results, sustainability remains a priority as respondents show similar levels of concern about climate change, continue to believe that aviation must become carbon neutral, and want their governments to step in to reduce airline emissions. Some changes were more striking. The share of respondents who say they plan to fly less to minimize their environmental impact rose five percentage points to 36 percent. In 2021 half of all respondents said they want to fly less after the pandemic. Changes in opinion varied across markets. Passengers in the UK, US, and Saudi Arabia, for example, were more likely to feel “flygskam,” (shame about flying) while those in Spain, Poland, and Australia felt significantly less guilty about flying.

It is worth tracking these trends in each market and demographic, because passengers’ experiences and opinions are increasingly relevant: passengers spend far more time online, increasingly trust each other’s recommendations more than traditional marketing, and can reshape brand perceptions faster than ever. 6 “ Understanding the ever-evolving, always-surprising consumer ,” McKinsey, August 31, 2021. In some markets consumers may reward airlines that meet rising demands for environmental sustainability—and punish those who fall behind.

The Australian airline Qantas may be acting on a similar belief. In November 2021, it announced a new “green tier” in its loyalty program. The initiative, based on feedback from passengers, is “designed to encourage, and recognize the airline’s 13 million frequent flyers for doing things like offsetting their flights, staying in eco-hotels, walking to work, and installing solar panels at home”. Qantas states that it is one of the largest private-sector buyers of Australian carbon credits, and it will use program funds to support more conservation and environmental projects. 7 “Qantas frequent flyers to be rewarded for being sustainable,” Qantas media release, November 26,, 2021. “A look at how people around the world view climate change,” Pew Research April 18, 2019. Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation climate change survey, July 9 to August 5, 2019.

Given these shifting trends, it may be helpful for all industry stakeholders to maintain a deep and up-to-date understanding of consumer segments in each market that they serve. Three main findings about today’s travelers emerged from the 2021 survey:

Finding 1: Most travelers now have concerns about climate change and carbon emissions—and many are prepared to act on these concerns

Concern about carbon emissions from aviation did not rise much during the pandemic, probably in part because air travel declined so sharply. About 56 percent of respondents said they were worried about climate change, and 54 percent said aviation should “definitely become carbon neutral” in the future.

While these numbers have increased only one or two percentage points since 2019, the share of respondents who rank CO 2 emissions as their top concern about aviation—ahead of concerns such as noise pollution and mass tourism—rose by nine percentage points to 34 percent. More than 30 percent of respondents have paid to offset their CO2 emissions from air travel.

Finding 2: Price and connections still matter much more than emissions to most travelers

Of the nine major factors travelers consider when booking a flight, carbon emissions consistently rank as sixth-most important across customer segments. This may be partly because most airline marketing centers around low cost or superior service, and pricing and revenue management are targeted at price and best connection. Most booking websites allow prospective travelers to sort by price and number of connections, for example, but not by carbon footprint. Google Flights has made a first step, showing average CO2 emissions per flight and improving transparency for travelers.

Travelers might begin to make different choices if emissions featured more prominently in the booking process—particularly if more airlines offered CO 2 reduction measures that delivered genuine environmental impact.

Finding 3: Attitudes vary widely by demographics and geography

Beliefs about the seriousness of climate change, and how to respond to it, vary across demographics and geographies (exhibit). Although younger people are generally more aware of the predicted consequences of climate change, older cohorts have become more concerned about climate change since the 2019 survey. In some countries, large majorities see climate change as a major threat, while that represents a minority view in other countries.

The survey shows that frequent travelers feel slightly more shame about flying than other respondents—37 percent compared to 30 percent—but show a much lower intention to reduce their air travel to minimize their climate impact, at 19 percent compared to 38 percent.

According to Pew Research, more than 80 percent of people in Greece, Spain, France, and South Korea believe climate change is a major threat, compared to around 40 percent of those in Russia, Nigeria, and Israel. 8 “A look at how people around the world view climate change,” Pew Research April 18, 2019. According to 2019 polling by the Washington Post and Kaiser Family Foundation, more than three-quarters of Americans believe it represents a major problem or a crisis—but fewer than half are willing to pay to help address it. 9 Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation climate change survey, July 9 to August 5, 2019.

These numbers may change quickly in the next few years as discussions about climate change become less abstract as oceans rise and storms, forest fires, and droughts become more severe. Instead of being one topic of concern among many, millions more people around the world may come to see climate change as today’s greatest challenge.

This shift seems to be apparent in government action, especially in mature economies. The US, for example, announced its intention to exit the Paris Agreement in June 2017 but pledged to rejoin in April 2021. 10 “Climate change: US formally withdraws from Paris agreement,” BBC, November 4, 2020; “President Biden sets 2030 greenhouse gas pollution reduction target,” White House fact sheet, April 22, 2021. And in September, the White House set a goal for the country to produce 3 billion gallons of sustainable aircraft fuel annually by 2030—up from about 4.5 million gallons produced in the US in 2020—which would cut carbon emissions from flying by 20 percent compared with taking no action. 11 “Biden administration advances the future of sustainable fuels in American aviation,” White House fact sheet, September 9, 2021.

Taking stock of the pandemic’s impact on global aviation

How the industry can be cleared for takeoff.

Travelers’ attitudes and behaviors appear to be in flux, and will likely continue to change. Depending on the world’s progress in preventing and treating COVID-19, the industry will likely take at least a couple of years to recover from the downdrafts caused by the pandemic.

In this unique moment in aviation history, airlines may be able to communicate in new ways to inspire passengers to join the fight against climate change. Based on McKinsey’s experience in aviation and other industries around the world, there may be an opportunity for carriers to make it “easy to do good”. When following such an approach, experience shows that customers are drawn to straightforward language, demonstrations of what the industry is doing in this area, and the tangible benefits of those efforts. The most compelling stories are positive and connect with customers’ emotional needs.

As in the early days of travel advertising, airlines could reinforce the idea that the journey is the destination—that “getting there is half the fun.” By inviting customers to get involved in creating a greener future and own the solution, they could forge new partnerships and deepen loyalty.

Actual progress will be essential; organizations that talk about sustainability without demonstrating action may quickly be held to account. Simply keeping pace with trends or regulatory requirements will offer no advantages. Airlines that move boldly, such as by replacing rather than modifying a loyalty program with some kind of “planet-positive” scheme, will stand out from competitors.

The survey results and McKinsey’s work in the industry lead us to believe that the market is ready for a forward-thinking airline to chart a route to a cleaner future for the industry. Leading airlines that build a business strategy and brand promise on sustainability will likely attract a growing share of business and leisure travelers, fresh capital and talent, and new allies across the industry, government, and society at large.

In the years ahead, more customers will be willing to pay for sustainability, particularly if airlines can engage them with interesting approaches, such as gamification in frequent flyer programs, opt-out rather than opt-in offsets, “green fast lanes” for check-ins and security control, and customized emission-reduction offers. Decarbonization could become the standard to reach and maintain next-tier levels in loyalty programs. Passengers will be able to join the global decarbonization team and transform flight shame into flight pride.

Like many private flyers, corporate customers will look for ways to mitigate their CO 2 footprint. Passenger and cargo airlines could craft attractive decarbonization programs to engage the rising numbers of corporates aiming to significantly reduce their scope 3 emissions from air transport.

No single set of approaches will be effective in every geography or with every passenger segment. But airlines with a deep understanding of their customers’ changing needs and desires will continue to outperform those that don’t. Such organizations could recruit more of their passengers to the decarbonization team while protecting their brands, the future of aviation, and the planet itself.

Mishal Ahmad is a manager in McKinsey’s New Jersey office, Frederik Franz is a senior associate in the Berlin office, Tomas Nauclér is a senior partner the Stockholm office, and Daniel Riefer is an associate partner in the Munich office.

The authors would like to thank Joost Krämer for his contributions to this article.

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New Delhi [India], April 27 (ANI): India has a unique opportunity to lead the way in eco-tourism, setting itself apart from regions like Europe that have faced the consequences of mass tourism. With vast potential largely untapped, India’s tourism sector stands poised for growth, particularly through eco-tourism initiatives.

The industry experts emphasized the urgent need for sustainable tourism in India amid the global shift towards sustainability in travel, spurred by concerns over carbon footprint, water consumption, and pollution.

“We have a unique advantage that our sites and destinations have not been destroyed or distorted by mass tourism the way we see in some places in Europe and other parts of the world. Our travel has to have minimal or zero carbon footprint, water consumption has to be within manageable limits,” said Ram Pratap Singh, eco-tourism entrepreneur, to ANI.

He said, “The chemicals and pollutants that are generated by the travel and tourism industry, the hotel industry, have to be controlled and converted into green affluence. And then the impact on the community, the people, it has to generate wealth and well-being”

The Ministry of Tourism has recognized the potential of sustainable tourism and formulated a ‘National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism’ to mainstream sustainability in the sector. Initiatives like the “Travel for LiFE” campaign aims to encourage responsible behaviour among domestic tourists, promoting mindful resource consumption while traveling.

Recent tourism data indicates a positive trend for India. In December 2023, over 10.7 lakh foreign tourists visited India, contributing a significant Rs 24,707 crore to the country’s foreign exchange. However, the number of foreign tourist visits has declined in recent years, from 31.41 million in 2019 to 8.59 million in 2022, due to changing travel behaviours post-pandemic.

Despite this decline, eco-tourism presents an opportunity to attract foreign tourists back to India by offering sustainable travel experiences. With its pristine sites and destinations relatively untouched by mass tourism, India is well-positioned to capitalize on the global trend towards sustainable tourism.

According to industry experts, some of the famous Eco- tourism destinations in India are Sikkim -India’s first fully organic state, Mawlynnong (Meghalaya)- one of the cleanest villages in Asia, Majuli in Assam, Matheran in Maharashtra and Thenmala (Kerala)- India’s first ever eco-tourism destination.

As discussions on climate sustainability continue on the global stage, India stands at a crucial juncture to embrace sustainability in tourism. By seizing this opportunity, India can emerge as a leader in sustainable tourism, preserving its natural and cultural resources for future generations while fostering economic growth and community well-being. (ANI)

This report is auto-generated from ANI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

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New travel hotspots for Indians: Paro, Baku, 4 others shine. MakeMyTrip reveals 10 top trends

Indian travellers are driving changes in tourism, exploring diverse global destinations, and seeking unique experiences with the help of technology. makemytrip's india travel trends report sheds light on these evolving trends.

Indian travelers today are not only reshaping domestic tourism but also setting new trends in international travel. With increasing disposable income and easier access to visas, they're exploring diverse global destinations beyond traditional hotspots. Empowered by technology and social media, they're actively seeking unique experiences, and leaving their mark on every corner of the globe. MakeMyTrip has released its first edition of India Travel Trends Report which marks how Indians are travelling today. 

Speaking of the new trends mentioned in the report, Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO, MakeMyTrip said, "As India emerges as a formidable force in the tourism sector, these insights can help bridge the demand and supply gaps in the travel and hospitality space. This means crafting policies, identifying destinations, and creating experiences that resonate with the traveller’s unique travel preferences and aspirations."

Here are the top 10 trends to look at: 

Where indians travel.

• Number of people taking more than 3 trips per year has grown by 25% in 2023 as compared to 2019. Tier-2 and tier-3 cities are embracing spiritual journeys, with searches for destinations with or around religious spots growing 97% in the last two years.
• 30% of all international travel searches from India are for Dubai, Bangkok and Singapore while London, Toronto and New York are the most searched long-haul destinations. Searches for emerging international destinations grew by multi-fold in 2023 – hot favourites include Hong Kong, Almaty, Paro, Baku, Da Nang and Tbilisi.

Family vs Solo - 

• Family travel bookings surged by 64% in 2023 as compared to 2022, followed by solo traveller booking growth at 23% for the same period.

Flight booking preferences

• 50% of all domestic flyers pick flights between 9am and 6pm irrespective of destination or origin. A significant portion of travel bookings in India are made spontaneously, with 46% of domestic flights booked less than a week before the travel date. In contrast, about half of all international bookings are made at least two weeks in advance.
• Only one-third of international bookings are made more than a month before the travel date, suggesting a flexible approach to international travel planning among Indian travellers.

Accommodation booking preferences –

• 56% of domestic leisure hotel bookings on the platform are made less than a week before the day of travel. 33% of international hotel bookings are made at least 30 days before the date of travel.
• Alternative accommodations on the platform recorded 24% growth in bookings in 2023. For Hostels and Apartments, the preference is for those less than INR 2,500 per night but for Villas, it is higher.
• Close to 20% of family travellers searched for properties with tariffs over INR 10,000 per night.

Payment preference

• UPI is the most preferred payment method to book travel, making close to 40% of all transaction types, followed by use of credit cards. Credit card is the most used payment mode for high value transactions such as to book international hotels and flights. This can be attributed to the benefits associated with credit card payments.

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Top Travel Influencers In India

In 2024, India’s travel influencer landscape continues to evolve with dynamic storytellers and adventurers captivating audiences nationwide. From the serene Himalayan foothills to the sun-kissed beaches of the South, these influencers traverse the length and breadth of India, sharing their journeys with a blend of authenticity and wanderlust. With engaging content across social platforms, they inspire millions to explore the rich tapestry of India’s culture, heritage, and natural beauty. Stay tuned as these top travel influencers in India redefine exploration in the digital age, one picturesque moment at a time.

Table of Contents

Who are Travel Influencers? 

Travel influencers are individuals who use social media platforms to share their travel experiences, insights, and tips. These influencers range from those who focus on luxury travels to budget explorations and from solo adventurers to cultural enthusiasts. They influence their audience by showcasing various destinations, offering travel advice, and highlighting unique cultural aspects of the places they visit. Travel influencers often collaborate with tourism boards, travel companies, and brands to promote destinations and products, and they play a key role in shaping travel trends and preferences. These influencers can be categorized by their reach—Mega, Macro, and Micro influencers—depending on the number of their followers and the extent of their influence.

Various Forms of Travel Influencer

Travel influencers come in various forms, each catering to different aspects of travel and types of audiences. Here are some of the common types:

1. Luxury Travel Influencers: These influencers focus on high-end experiences, showcasing luxurious accommodations, gourmet dining, and exclusive activities. Their content often appeals to those interested in upscale, lavish vacations.

2. Adventure Travel Influencers: Known for their thrill-seeking journeys, these influencers document activities like hiking, backpacking, scuba diving, and more. They attract audiences who are interested in outdoor adventures and extreme sports.

3. Cultural Travel Influencers: These influencers dive deep into the local culture of the places they visit. They focus on history, traditions, local crafts, and cuisine, providing a more immersive experience into the local way of life.

4. Budget Travel Influencers: They provide tips and hacks on how to travel affordably, showcasing how to explore the world without breaking the bank. Their content is valuable for students, backpackers, or anyone on a tight budget.

5. Family Travel Influencers: Catering to families, these influencers highlight family-friendly destinations, accommodations, and activities. They offer advice on traveling with children and making vacations enjoyable and comfortable for all age groups.

6. Solo Travel Influencers: Focusing on personal growth and independence, solo travel influencers share their experiences of traveling alone. They inspire their followers to explore new places confidently and safely.

7. Eco-travel Influencers: These influencers promote sustainable travel practices, focusing on minimizing environmental impact. They often cover eco-friendly accommodations, conservation projects, and responsible tourism practices.

What makes the Travel Influencers so popular?

Travel influencers gain popularity due to their engaging and inspiring content, authenticity, and ability to connect personally with their audience. They share visually appealing photos and videos that capture the beauty and excitement of various destinations, along with useful travel tips and personal travel stories. This combination not only provides entertainment but also valuable information, making travel more accessible and encouraging their followers to explore new places. Additionally, their partnerships with travel brands and tourism boards enhance their credibility and extend their reach, further boosting their popularity.

Travel Influencers In India 

Mega influencers.

They have a wide reach and are typically recognized as celebrity figures within the travel industry.

Aakash Malhotra

Click Here to View Profile

Aakash Malhotra, known online as WanderWithSky, is a distinctive voice in the realm of travel influence in India. His Instagram, boasting over a million followers, serves as a canvas displaying his adventures across uncharted terrains and lesser-known locales. Aakash’s storytelling intertwines personal insights with vivid photography, offering followers a glimpse into the spirit and culture of each destination. His approach is marked by a deep appreciation for the hidden gems of the world, encouraging his audience to explore beyond the conventional tourist paths. Aakash not only shares his journeys but also immerses his followers in the narrative of each place, making travel feel accessible and adventurous.

Anunay Sood

Anunay Sood, an adventure-centric travel influencer, captivates a dedicated Instagram following with his evocative landscape photography. His journey is a blend of breath taking visuals and stirring narratives, primarily set against the rugged backdrops of the Himalayas and Iceland. Anunay’s images are more than just snapshots; they are stories of light and shadow, meticulously crafted to transport his audience into the essence of each moment captured. His work not only showcases the beauty of the destinations but also his skill in highlighting the dramatic interplay between nature and the lens.

Tanya Khanijow

Tanya Khanijow is a prominent travel influencer in India, celebrated for her captivating travel vlogs on YouTube. She transforms her travel experiences into engaging stories that resonate deeply with her audience, showcasing destinations both in India and globally. Tanya’s content is crafted with a keen eye for detail and a narrative that effortlessly guides viewers through her adventures, making travel both aspirational and attainable. Her unique approach combines personal anecdotes with practical travel tips, making her a trusted source for travel enthusiasts seeking inspiration and information.

Macro Influencers

They are often regarded as authority figures in specific travel niches and have significant influence over their audience.

Varun Vagish

Varun Vagish, known for his popular YouTube channel “Mountain Trekker,” has carved a niche for himself in the travel influencing world with his down-to-earth approach to exploring the globe. His content is a treasure trove for budget travelers, offering practical tips and hacks that demonstrate how to travel affordably without sacrificing the richness of the experience. Varun’s ability to connect with his audience through relatable narratives and insightful guidance helps many discover the joy of travel in an economically sustainable way. His channel not only guides but inspires a movement towards more accessible travel adventures.

Larissa D’Sa

Larissa D’Sa stands out in the Indian travel influencer landscape with her vibrant and stylish exploration of the world. Through her platform, she blends travel with creative design, offering visually stunning and informative content across Instagram and YouTube. Her followers are treated to a colorful palette of travel experiences, DIY projects, and lifestyle tips, making her a source of inspiration for those looking to add a splash of creativity to their adventures. Larissa’s content not only guides her audience through scenic views and local cultures but also encourages them to see beauty in everyday experiences.

Siddhartha Joshi

Siddhartha Joshi, better known as SidTheWanderer, weaves a tapestry of cultural narratives through his vibrant travel blog and Instagram, where he boasts over 120,000 followers. His lens captures more than landscapes; it dives into the soul of his destinations, highlighting both the grandiose and the intimate moments. Siddhartha’s travel ethos marries curiosity with sensitivity, making his blog a go-to for those who seek to understand the world through stories and striking visuals. His ability to connect deeply with different cultures while on the move makes his content both educational and inspiring.

Micro Influencers

They often focus on specific travel styles or destinations and are valued for their personal touch and authenticity.

Mithilesh Backpacker

Mithilesh Backpacker is a trailblazer in the budget travel influencer scene in India. Known for his economical travel hacks, Mithilesh empowers his audience to explore the world without breaking the bank. His content, rich with practical tips and vibrant storytelling, demystifies travel for his followers, proving that adventure doesn’t have to be expensive. His relatable approach and engaging content have made him a go-to resource for travellers seeking memorable experiences on a tight budget.

Neelima Vallangi

Neelima Vallangi is a celebrated travel writer and photographer, known for her evocative narratives and stunning imagery that highlight India’s less trodden paths. With a deep passion for the mountains and remote landscapes, Neelima’s work inspires a sense of adventure and awareness about environmental conservation. Her dedication to showcasing the beauty and fragility of these areas encourages responsible travel and deeper connection with nature. Through her powerful storytelling, Neelima invites her audience to explore the profound and personal impact of embracing the wilderness.

Lakshmi Sharath

Lakshmi Sharath, a seasoned voyager and captivating storyteller, paints the world with her words and lens. With over a decade of exploration under her belt, she doesn’t just travel; she embarks on cultural odysseys, unraveling the tapestry of each destination she visits. From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the tranquil backwaters of Kerala, Lakshmi’s narratives transport her audience to the heart of every locale. Through her lens, she captures moments that breathe life into her tales, inviting us to see the world through her eyes. Follow along as Lakshmi Sharath weaves her magic, one adventure at a time.

FAQ’s Related on Fitness Influencers

What does a travel influencer do.

A travel influencer creates and shares content about their travel experiences on social media platforms, offering insights, tips, and visual storytelling to inspire others to explore new destinations. They typically collaborate with travel and tourism brands to promote destinations, services, or products, engaging their audience through posts, blogs, and videos. Their role involves not just traveling but also meticulously planning content that highlights the unique aspects of their journeys.

How to become a Travel Influencer?

To become a travel influencer, start by defining your unique travel niche and style. Create and share high-quality content consistently on social media platforms, such as engaging photos, videos, and blogs about your travel experiences. Build an authentic connection with your audience by engaging with them and sharing personal insights and travel tips. Networking with other influencers and collaborating with travel brands can also help boost your visibility. Lastly, stay persistent and adapt to changing trends and platforms to grow your following and influence in the travel community.

Who is the best travel influencer?

The best travel influencer in India can vary based on criteria such as content quality, audience engagement, and niche focus. However, influencers like Varun Vagish (Mountain Trekker), who is known for his in-depth travel vlogs and practical tips, and Shivya Nath, celebrated for her sustainable and immersive travel storytelling, are often regarded highly in the travel community. Each has a significant following and is respected for their unique approach to travel, influencing many with their insights and experiences.

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Population trends in the 21st century: what are India’s opportunities?

EY India Chief Policy Advisor

A noted economist, D.K. Srivastava is an Honorary Professor at Madras School of Economics and Member of the Advisory Council to the 15th Finance Commission.

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Economy watch april 2024, global demographic trends offer both challenges and opportunities for india..

• Demographic profiles of countries and country groups are projected to change significantly through the rest of the 21 st century.
• The window of opportunity for India is limited. Appropriate policy initiatives are needed to take the best possible advantage of it.
• With the population share of Sub-Saharan Africa expected to increase rapidly by 2070, India may play a key role in supporting the economies of this region.

T he 21st century is likely to unfold as a dynamic era of significant shifts in global population trends. In this context, our latest issue of Economy Watch navigates the evolving contours of population shares of individual countries and major country groups, the dynamics of their working-age population, and emerging urbanization trends. 

Share in global total and working age population in the 21 st century: India and the world

For most country groups, their share in population changes marginally from 2000 to 2070 (Table 1) . There is only one country group namely, Sub-Saharan Africa, whose share in global population is projected to increase from 10.5% in 2000 to 26.9% by 2070. India’s global population share is projected to fall incrementally from 17.8% in 2020 to 16.4% by 2070. Amongst the developed country groups, Europe’s share falls from 11.8% to 6.3% between 2000 and 2070 and that of Northern America from 5.1% to 4.2%. Another noticeable fall is seen for Eastern and South-eastern Asia and Oceania wherein China’s population share falls from 20.6% to 10.5% between 2000 and 2070. Thus, two country groups namely, Central and Southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, that are currently relatively lower income country groups, would account for more than 50% of the world population by 2070.

The share of working age population in global working age population is projected to be the highest at 28.9% by 2070 for Sub-Saharan Africa, followed by central and southern Asia at 26.6%. India’s share of working age population in the total global working age population is not significantly higher than its share in total global population. The peak of this profile of working age population is reached in 2030 at 18.8% and then it falls to 16.4% by 2070. Thus, India’s share in the supply of working age persons would be lower than that of Eastern and Southeastern Asia and Oceania, particularly up to 2040 and Sub-Saharan Africa, especially in the latter three decades.

Considering individual countries, India is projected to have the largest share in total and working age global population by 2070 exceeding the next highest country namely, China by a significant margin.

Who is aging faster than India?

All countries are ageing fast, as reflected by rising median age of populations. Median age would be the highest for China by 2070 at 52.6 years. The eastern and South-eastern and Oceania group would also have a much older population by 2070 with a median age of 47.7 years. The youngest population would be that of Sub-Saharan Africa where the median age would be 25.3 years in 2070. India’s median age is projected to increase from 20 years in 2000 to 41 years by 2070, reflecting substantive ageing of the population in comparison.

India to remain least urbanized in the 21 st century

An important dimension of the evolving population profile of different countries/country groups pertains to their location in terms of the rural vis-à-vis urban areas. As populations progressively shift towards urban areas, the population density and their per capita incomes increase. For all country groups, we can observe that the urbanization rate is increasing without any exception. By 2040, there would only be two country groups namely, central and southern Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where urbanization would be less than or close to 50%. India’s urbanization rate at 65.8% in 2070 would be lower than that of Sub-Saharan Africa (Table 2) . It may, however, be noted that India’s urbanization rate is somewhat underestimated 1 .

Gender balance by country

Gender ratio is defined as the number of males per 100 females. In terms of the global profile, Europe, and Latin America and the Caribbean would have a gender ratio of below 100 up to 2070. In Northern America and Sub-Saharan Africa, gender ratios remained well below 100 up to 2020. These are projected to gradually move closer to 100 by 2070. Country groups with gender ratio well above 100 include Central and Southern Asia, including India and Northern Africa and Western Asia.

The opportunity for India

India will have to develop a strategy of growth that depends on exporting human resources or services based on human resources to countries where populations would have aged faster. These countries would pertain to Eastern and South-eastern Asia and Oceania and Central and Southern Asia which together would account for 58.3% of the global old age population by 2070. In these countries, there will be a relatively high demand for health services accompanied by a shortage of human resources for regular industrial and business activities.

India will also need to develop a special relationship with Sub-Saharan Africa, which will have much younger persons. For ensuring that this relatively young population is adequately educated and skilled, India would have to facilitate provision of adequate education and training facilities in these countries.   These countries are also mineral-rich countries, and it will be to India’s benefit to develop a close relationship with them to access their minerals using an equitable, non-exploitative and environment-friendly approach. India may also help these countries develop their infrastructure. 

How EY can help

With global tax policy in flux, planning for potential changes in each jurisdiction becomes even more important for multinationals.

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• EY report - India@100: realizing the potential of a US$26 trillion economy (January 2023)

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India will have to develop a strategy of growth that depends on exporting human resources (HR) or HR-related services to countries where the share of old age population is relatively high. Such countries would have a high demand for health services. India will also need to facilitate provision of adequate education and training facilities to Sub-Saharan Africa which will have much younger persons. It might also benefit India to develop a close relationship in order to gain access to mineral resources in these countries using an equitable, non-exploitative and environment-friendly approach. 

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