Frequent travel becomes the norm
Insights from Scapia for 2025 suggest that Indian travelers are transitioning from episodic to continuous travel.
Flight bookings surged fivefold, stays rose eight to nine times, and card spending occurred across 113 currencies in 174 countries, showcasing a global travel presence.
Anil Goteti, Founder and CEO of Scapia, remarked, “Travel has evolved into a continuous mentality. People are incorporating multiple, shorter trips into their year, centered around experiences that resonate with them.”
Cleartrip’s Long Weekend Tracker, which merges all long weekends in 2026 into Google Calendar, encourages travelers to plan their trips in advance.
Govind Bansal, Head of Marketing at Cleartrip, pointed out, “By integrating travel planning into daily routines, we aim to maintain travel as a focal point throughout the year.”
Travel expands beyond metros and traditional destinations
Domestic travel is now reaching lesser-known locations such as Ziro (Arunachal Pradesh), Pakyong (Sikkim), Jagdalpur (Chhattisgarh), and Pasighat (Arunachal Pradesh). Internationally, destinations like Barbados, Luang Prabang, and Tashkent are becoming increasingly popular.
Growth is being driven by Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, with international flight bookings by women tripling in 2025.
Preferred international circuits now include Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Central Asia. Countries like Bali, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Almaty have shown strong year-on-year growth in bookings.
Rajnish Kumar, Group Co-CEO of ixigo, stated, “Enhanced connectivity, novel experiences, and favorable climates are making these regions more appealing for Indian travelers.”
Digital payments, rewards, and forex enable flexible travel
Rewards points and digital payments are facilitating travel expenditures.
On Scapia, nearly 50% of train bookings and 60% of bus bookings were fully funded through reward redemptions.
BookMyForex reported a significant increase in currency-specific purchases, with the Vietnamese Dong and Japanese Yen rising by 139% and 118% year-on-year, respectively.
Gagan Malhotra, COO of BookMyForex, noted, “Travelers are shifting from general forex purchases to destination-specific currencies, reflecting more deliberate planning.”
Dhruv Verma, Founder and CEO of Thriwe, claimed 2025 marks a transition from conventional, points-based loyalty programs to more lifestyle-oriented travel ecosystems.
According to him, travelers are focusing on what he refers to as “identity travel,” where their journeys closely align with personal interests and life stages.
Verma highlighted that millennials are increasingly interested in spiritual retreats and boutique stays, while Gen Z is driving demand for event-centered travel, including trips focused on major concerts and cultural festivities.
Experience and personalisation drive travel choices
Indian travelers are moving away from fixed packages. Data from Pickyourtrail shows that customized itineraries, allowing for date modifications, route changes, and personal activity selections, are becoming the norm.
Hari Ganapathy, Co-founder and CEO of Pickyourtrail, stated, “Travelers are investing in experiences that matter, prioritizing activities and moments over traditional sightseeing or luxury elements.”
Ebix Travel – Delphi World Money also notes an increase in bookings for cultural, adventure, and immersive activities, with searches for in-destination experiences up 24% year-on-year.
Rajesh Magow, Co-founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, added, “Short-haul international travel continues to gain traction, buoyed by easier visa access and emerging destinations.”
Short breaks and multi-modal travel gain traction
Data indicates that shorter trips are taking the place of long vacations, with travelers combining flights, trains, and buses to form multi-modal journeys. Scapia predicts that 48–72 hour trips will become mainstream, with destination choices made for convenience and repeatability. Activities such as scuba diving, adventure trails, and cultural experiences are becoming increasingly influential in spending decisions.
Vinod Bondi, Regional Manager at PADI, observed, “Travel is increasingly being viewed as an investment in meaningful experiences, rather than mere leisure.”
