DD India

India is on track to have one of the fastest increases in travel expenditures among the world’s top 10 countries, with projections indicating that it will become the fourth-largest global spender on travel by 2030.

Indians will spend $410 billion on travel and accommodation by the end of the decade aided by a growing economy, swelling incomes and youthful population, a new study said. This is about three times the amount ($150 billion) spent in 2019, the last pre-covid year of normal consumption. India’s travel industry has displayed a remarkable recovery post-pandemic, Indian travellers are expected to complete a staggering 5 billion trips annually by the same year.

Examining India’s travel patterns, travellers embarked on trips exceeding 25 days for leisure in 2022, a figure surpassing other large markets. It also underscored that, in 2023, the average trip planning window for Indian travellers stood at approximately 30 days, significantly shorter than the second-ranked country Japan, where travellers plan their trips an average of 57 days in advance.

The global interest in the Indian traveller and hospitality market, as holiday plans are no longer strictly season-dependent and a considerable amount of “off-peak” travel is being planned. It was discovered that 54% of Indian travellers are influenced when choosing a destination by their favourite movies, shows, or celebrities. Another important source of holiday inspiration is social media. Culinary experiences also remained a major influence, with 44% of travellers ranking it as a top feature in leisure trip planning in 2023.

Government support for local experiences will be a major driver of domestic tourism. the number of accommodations in India will nearly double, reaching 290,000 by 2030 compared to the 2019 count.

On the international front, popular destinations for Indians remain Dubai, Bangkok, Singapore, London, and Paris. Vietnam, Indonesia, and Nepal are gaining traction due to increased air connectivity, rising awareness, and simplified visa processes.