“Indian travelers are increasingly exploring key markets, with a 53%, 248% and 59% surge in visits to Japan, Vietnam the US, respectively, compared to 2019. Amsterdam, Singapore, and London are the top three summer holiday destinations for Indian travellers in 2024,” it adds.
The first three months of this calendar year saw 9.7 crore air travellers. “Just 10 years ago, the same figure would have taken a whole year to achieve,” it says while attributing the growth to “a growing middle class and expanded route capacity.” The US dollar gaining in strength, thereby making international trips more expensive for desi travellers, has not spoilt their plans. “This trend signifies a major shift in Indian travel habits towards widespread exploration and discovery. Amsterdam, followed by Singapore, London, Frankfurt, and Melbourne are the top five trending destinations that Indian travelers are visiting this summer (June – August 2024), as measured by the change in share of flight bookings,” it says.
“Consumers in the Asia Pacific region have an intense desire and willingness to travel and are becoming increasingly savvy to ensure they get the best value and unforgettable experiences from their trips. For tourism authorities, retailers, the hospitality and F&B sectors, the bottom line is that costs matter. In today’s economy, foreign exchange rates and spending power have become vital components in driving a traveler’s assessment of value when they are making their plans. This suggests that businesses targeting tourism dollars need to review their current strategies, and shift them, if necessary, to maintain their appeal to travelers,” said David Mann, chief economist, Asia Pacific, Mastercard.
