As India’s peak inbound tourism season (October to March) gets underway, early signs indicate a promising year ahead for the sector with traditional source markets such as North America and the UK showing robust growth.
Industry stakeholders say international arrivals have picked up strongly driven by renewed travel confidence and demand for experiential and wellness travel.
“With the start of the inbound season, India is witnessing a good resurgence in international arrivals. We have seen a 25 per cent growth as compared to last year. Our source markets such as the UK, the US, Canada and the Middle East continue to perform robustly,” said Louis D’Souza, managing partner, Tamarind Global.
For most inbound operators, this period marks the most crucial half of the year, as it attracts leisure travellers especially from longhaul markets.
“Last year was the best inbound season for our company and we are hoping this season will perform even better. There were concerns because of geopolitical situations like the war in the Middle East but people are now confirming their bookings. After the UK, the US market has come up very strong for us,” shared Michael Dominic, managing director, CGH Earth.
Industry players note that the nature of demand is also evolving.
“The demand this year feels less about volume and more about meaningful experiences. Travellers are veering away from the usual circuits and exploring spiritual towns, wellness retreats and culturally rich destinations that offer depth and authenticity,” observed Neha Kapoor, general manager, Hyatt Place Gurgaon
According to D’Souza, while the Golden Triangle (Delhi-Agra-Jaipur) continues to be a staple for first-time visitors, newer patterns are emerging.
“Destinations such as Kerala, Rishikesh, Coorg and the Andaman Islands are gaining popularity among travellers seeking sustainability and mindfulness-based experiences. The numbers are also rising for adventure-led regions like Ladakh and the North East, while the luxury and slow travel segment continues to grow as high-value visitors opt for boutique stays, palace hotels, heritage walks and curated experiences over standard sightseeing,” he added.
However, not everyone in the industry is equally optimistic.
“Enquiries are just a trickle. India has become very expensive. However, the good news is the resumption of flights from China. Let’s hope there will be an influx of Chinese tourists,” said Lally Mathews, managing director, Divine Voyages.
Direct air connectivity between India and China is set to resume after more than five years with IndiGo launching a daily non-stop flight between Kolkata and Guangzhou starting October 26. The flights were suspended following border tensions between the two nations.
