This highlights how insurance data is reflecting outbound travel trends.
The most recent travel insights report from ACKO, based on policies issued during the peak winter season, reveals that Indian travelers prefer visa-friendly, experience-rich locations, with family travel emerging as a significant factor for overseas trips.
Thailand topped the list, aided by its short travel time, affordability, and easy visa access. Germany followed closely, appealing particularly to families and senior travelers who are attracted to Europe’s winter markets and festive experiences. Vietnam secured the third spot, benefiting from budget-friendly options and increased interest from young professionals and students.
France and Italy rounded out the top five, largely influenced by family travel and working professionals.
The report shows that travelers aged 30 to 49 make up the largest share of multi-person trips, underscoring the importance of family-oriented holidays. Young professionals aged 20 to 29 lean towards short-haul destinations like Thailand and Vietnam, while students under 20 are more engaged in markets such as Vietnam and the UAE.
Senior travelers over 50 represent a larger portion of visitors to long-haul destinations, including Germany and the United States.
Outbound winter travel is largely driven by urban centers, with Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Pune, Chennai, Gurugram, Kolkata, Noida, and Ahmedabad recording the highest travel insurance issuances in December.
Family travel has become the fastest-growing segment and accounts for the largest share of insured passengers during the winter months. Solo travel is also on the rise, particularly to destinations like Thailand, the UAE, and the United States, while couple travel remains stable, led by Southeast Asian markets.
Industry experts point out that the issuance of travel insurance has emerged as a significant indicator of international travel trends, especially as many countries require insurance coverage for visa approval and costs for overseas medical care and trip disruptions continue to escalate.
Travel insurance typically covers medical emergencies, trip cancellations, delays, lost baggage, and accidental injuries—risks that often increase during peak travel seasons.
An ACKO spokesperson remarked that this year’s winter travel reflects a preference for comfort and convenience, along with a growing awareness of the necessity for reliable travel protection as overseas trips become more prevalent.
