According to Prateek Wadhwa, CEO of Dream Trip4U, today’s Indian traveller is more informed, digitally savvy and willing to spend on experiences, shifting the role of travel agents from booking intermediaries to travel advisers and curators
What are the new developments in your travel agency?
At Dream Trip4u, we are seeing a clear shift from simply selling holidays to designing more personalised travel experiences. Our focus is increasingly on customised international itineraries, premium holidays, honeymoon travel, family vacations and experiential travel.
We are also strengthening our digital presence and making the customer journey more seamless from consultation and itinerary planning to bookings, documentation and on-trip support. We believe the biggest development for us is our ability to combine the convenience of digital planning with the trust and personal service that travellers expect from a travel expert.
How would you describe the current state of India’s outbound travel market? What has changed most significantly in the last 12 to 18 months?
India’s outbound travel market is in a very interesting phase. Demand remains strong, but the traveller has become much more informed and selective. Over the last 12 to 18 months, we have noticed that customers are travelling more frequently and are willing to spend on experiences that add genuine value to their trip. There is also a noticeable movement towards customised itineraries rather than standard group packages.
Another significant change is the influence of social media and digital content. Customers often come to us having already researched destinations, hotels and experiences online. They are not necessarily looking for someone to tell them where to go; they are looking for an expert who can turn their research into a practical, well-planned and hassle-free holiday.
Which outbound destinations are seeing the strongest demand from Indian travellers right now and what is driving that demand?
For us, Australia, the US, Switzerland and Paris, Eastern Europe, New Zealand, Oman and Ras Al Khaimah have seen stronger demand, partly driven by our own efforts to generate interest. In general, however, traditional favourites continue to perform strongly, particularly Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Thailand, Singapore and other European destinations.
Dubai continues to benefit from its connectivity, infrastructure, shopping, entertainment and family-friendly experiences. Thailand remains popular because of its combination of beaches, experiences, affordability and relatively easy access. Singapore continues to attract families and first-time international travellers because of its safety, infrastructure and attractions. Europe remains a major aspiration for Indian travellers, particularly for longer holidays and multi-country trips.
At Dream Trip4u, however, we are also seeing customers increasingly asking for something different from the conventional sightseeing itinerary. They want experiences, unique stays, cruises, adventure activities, culinary experiences, scenic road trips and more personalised travel.
Are you seeing any new or emerging destinations gaining traction among Indian travellers beyond the traditional favourites?
Indian travellers are becoming more curious about destinations beyond conventional choices. We are seeing growing interest in Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Indonesia beyond Bali, Japan, South Korea, Egypt, Turkey and parts of Eastern and Central Europe.
The drivers differ for each destination, but generally come down to a combination of improved connectivity, competitive pricing, easier travel planning, social media visibility and the desire for something new.
We are also seeing travellers increasingly choose destinations based on the type of experience they want, rather than simply asking for a particular country. That is an important shift in the market.
What are the biggest challenges currently facing Indian outbound travel agents? Is it competition from OTAs, airline capacity, visa issues, pricing or changing consumer behaviour?
From Dream Trip4u’s perspective, the biggest challenge is not any one factor, it is the combination of changing consumer behaviour, pricing pressure and increasingly complex travel requirements.
OTAs have made customers very price-conscious and have made basic flight and hotel bookings highly transactional. However, we don’t see OTAs as simply competition. They have also helped make customers more aware and informed. The real challenge for traditional travel agencies is to demonstrate the value we bring beyond a booking.
Airline capacity and fluctuating airfares can also significantly impact international holiday planning, while visa timelines and documentation remain important considerations for certain destinations.
Most importantly, today’s traveller expects speed, flexibility and personalisation. They may compare 10 options online before speaking to us, so our role is to provide expertise, curate the right options and take responsibility for the overall travel experience.
What is the biggest opportunity in Indian outbound tourism that the industry is currently overlooking?
We believe the biggest opportunity lies in experiential and personalised travel. Indian travellers are moving beyond the traditional checklist of sightseeing and shopping, and increasingly want trips built around their interests, whether luxury cruises, wellness, adventure, gastronomy, unique stays, road trips, celebrations or exclusive experiences.
There is also an opportunity to create holidays for specific customer segments rather than offer the same package to everyone. A honeymoon couple, a multigenerational family and a group of young professionals may visit the same destination but want different experiences. We see an opportunity to move from selling destinations to designing journeys around individual travellers.
Are Indian travellers becoming more comfortable with self-planned holidays, or does the complexity of international travel still make them dependent on travel agents?
Self-planning is growing, particularly among younger, digitally savvy travellers. Customers have access to large amounts of information through Google, Instagram, YouTube and travel platforms, and many are comfortable booking simple trips themselves.
However, international travel is often more complicated than it appears online. When a trip involves multiple destinations, visas, internal transfers, activities, specific hotel requirements, family travel or last-minute changes, the value of an experienced travel professional becomes more apparent.
We are seeing a change in the role of the travel agent rather than the disappearance of the travel agent. Customers may discover their destination themselves, but they increasingly approach us to validate the plan, optimise the itinerary, get better experiences and have someone accountable throughout the journey. For us, the future is not about replacing digital convenience with traditional service. It is about combining both.
