Indian holidayers favour foreign shores over domestic

Outbound tourist numbers rising, inbound static

- SUGANDHA MUKHERJEE

INDIA ENTERS THE year-end travel season with outbound tourism accelerating to unprecedented levels, marking a decisive shift in how Indians spend the December break.

As international departures climb to fresh highs, foreign tourist arrivals into India remain subdued, extending a post-pandemic imbalance that is now reshaping the country's peak travel calendar.

Outbound demand has expanded sharply. In December 2024, 27.08 lakh Indians travelled overseas which is the highest for any December and well above the 23.56 lakh departures recorded in 2019.

This year's figures are set to surpass even that record. Travel company Thrillophilia reports an 18-25% rise in international bookings for the December window, citing smoother visa regimes, competitive airfares on mid-haul routes and rising appetite for short, experience-led itineraries.

"India continues to be one of the fastest-growing outbound travel markets globally, and that momentum is clearly visible this holiday season," said Abhishek Daga, co-founder of Thrillophilia, noting that many properties and activities abroad are already nearing full occupancy.