A year of highs & headwinds for Indian travel industry

India’s travel year began on a high-decibel note.

- AKSHARA SRIVASTAVA

British rock band Coldplay’s five sold-out concerts across Mumbai and Ahmedabad sent airfares, train tickets, and hotel prices soaring by nearly 20 per cent. Soon after came the Maha Kumbh in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, drawing more than 660 million visitors over 45 days to take a dip in the Ganga.“Increasingly, we are seeing people lean towards experiences,” says Amit Damani, cofounder of luxury villa rental firm StayVista. “That explains why they are willing to fly across the country for a concert like Coldplay or congregate at a mela.” In the coming year, too, he expects events such as the cricket World Cup, concerts, and wellness activities to drive travel demand, and, in turn, demand for quality accommodation.

Next year will open with concerts by American rock band Linkin Park and singer John Mayer in January in Bengaluru and Mumbai, followed by the month-long ICC Men’s T20 cricket World Cup starting in February.

“As we look ahead to 2026, travel and hospitality in India are moving into a more mature, experience-led phase,” says Anuraag Bhatnagar, chief executive officer at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts. “There is greater emphasis on quality, differentiation, and long-term value creation.” Travellers, he adds, are increasingly prioritising cultural depth, wellness, sustainability, and meaningful connection, and these expectations are shaping how luxury hospitality is delivered.