TBM Staff - Mumbai
Indian travellers are showing a growing preference for international destinations, with a recent analysis of consumer search trends by Justdial revealing a notable rise in searches related to overseas travel. This reflects a strong desire for varied leisure and exploration experiences beyond India. The data collected between January 2023 and August 2023, and the same period in 2024, showed a 17% increase in travel-related searches nationwide.
Interestingly, non-metro cities are leading this surge, recording a significant 129% increase in searches in 2023 and 126% in 2024, surpassing metro areas. This indicates that interest in international travel is rapidly expanding beyond major urban centers. Countries like Israel, the Gulf, Europe, Australia, Japan, Schengen nations, and Turkey have all seen sharp increases in search interest, reflecting the Indian traveller’s evolving curiosity for diverse global destinations.
With this rising interest, there’s been a surge in demand for professional travel services, including travel agents, international tour packages, and visa assistance. The complexity of international travel planning has led many travelers to seek expert guidance for a hassle-free experience. Specific regions, such as Lucknow, Delhi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai, showed a high concentration of searches for destinations like Israel and the Gulf, reflecting localised travel preferences across the country.
Despite recent global news surrounding some destinations, Indian travellers continue to explore countries like Israel, pointing to a shift in consumer sentiment towards unique travel experiences. The steady increase in international travel interest suggests a positive future for outbound tourism from India.
