The Indian traveller is undergoing a striking transformation, according to the newly released India Holiday Report 2025 by Thomas Cook (India) Limited and its group company, SOTC Travel. Based on insights from over 2,500 respondents gathered via digital platforms over a month-long period, the report paints a compelling picture of a nation driven by aspiration, affluence, and a newfound desire for immersive, experience-first holidays.
A blend of rising disposable incomes, digital influence, and a growing appetite for deeper cultural connections is reshaping how Indians plan and prioritise travel. A staggering 85% of respondents plan to double or triple their holidays in 2025, while 84% aim to increase travel spending by up to 50%.
The Rise of the Experience-Seeking Indian Traveller
Experiential travel has emerged as a central trend, with nearly 75% of respondents seeking experience-led holidays, favouring adventures such as icebreaker cruises, stargazing camps, wildlife safaris, and phenomenon-based travel to witness the Northern Lights, Cherry Blossoms, or the Midnight Sun.
There is also a rising interest in event-driven travel—from international music festivals and sporting events to gastronomic trails and vineyard tours. Destinations such as Australia, Thailand, France, and South Korea are top choices for such immersive experiences.
Key Drivers: Influencers, Ease, and Accessibility
The report identifies social media, OTT platforms, and movies as key influencers for 60% of travellers. Simplified visa processes are also swaying decisions, with 44% preferring destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, and Sri Lanka for their e-visa or visa-on-arrival options. Enhanced air connectivity—especially from India’s Tier 1 and Tier 2 cities—is stimulating outbound demand, as is the introduction of new direct routes.
Interestingly, while Indian consumers remain value-conscious (39%), there’s a visible shift towards trusted brands offering premium, reliable experiences, especially those featuring special deals or limited-time promotions.
Holiday Frequency and Duration Surge
The modern Indian traveller is not only planning more getaways but also longer ones. While 47% aim to leverage long weekends for short ‘mini-cations’, another 54% are extending trips by an additional 5–10 days, opting for holidays that average 8–15 days.
Spending Habits Evolve: Luxury Takes Priority
The shift toward premium and luxury travel is unmistakable. Over 36% of respondents are indulging in exclusive experiences like luxury cruises across Scandinavia and the Mediterranean, supercar road trips, private island dining, or stays in Swiss chalets and French chateaux.
Shopping and culinary experiences are increasingly becoming integral to the travel budget, with significant interest in premium outlets like Bicester Village and McArthurGlen.
Travel Companions: Family Bonds and Frolleagues
Group travel continues to dominate, with 90% preferring to travel with companions. Notably, multigenerational family travel (65%) leads the pack, followed by couples (60%), and the rising “frolleague” trend—friends who are also colleagues—at 28%. Solo travel, while still niche at 10%, is gaining traction, especially among women and empty nesters.
There’s also a growing emotional element in travel planning, as families opt for bonding trips—mother-daughter getaways, sibling holidays, and even multi-generational pilgrimages.
New-Age Destinations and Travel Formats
Internationally, Europe remains a top draw, with Switzerland, France, Austria, and Germany leading. Eastern Europe is gaining visibility, while Southeast Asia (Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia) and Gulf nations (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Oman) continue to hold strong appeal. More niche destinations like Uzbekistan, Morocco, Iceland, and Greenland are also emerging on the Indian travel radar.
In India, domestic travel is thriving, with Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the North East dominating preferences. There’s also an uptick in beach escapes like Goa, Andaman, and Lakshadweep, alongside Himalayan sanctuaries and wellness destinations such as Kerala.
Meanwhile, new travel formats are reshaping itineraries:
- Cruises (45%)—both river and ocean—are quickly rising in popularity.
- Self-drives (35%) and scenic train journeys (20%), especially in regions like Switzerland, reflect a desire for slower, more immersive travel.
- This also signals growing interest in eco-conscious and sustainable travel.
Phygital Travel: The Hybrid Booking Model
Booking behaviour is now unmistakably hybrid or “phygital.” While 68% book online, 59% still engage in-person or over the phone, and 58% prefer a blend of digital and offline touchpoints. Physical interaction, it seems, continues to be valued for expert guidance and personalised service.
Diverse Travel Styles and Sustainability Consciousness
Travellers appear nearly equally divided in terms of preferred trip formats:
- 35% prefer partially guided tours for flexibility.
- 33% choose fully packaged tours for convenience.
- 32% opt for entirely self-planned trips to chart their own course.
Sustainability, too, is top-of-mind: 37% of respondents indicated an increasing commitment to eco-conscious choices, from accommodation to transport modes.
Technology and AI: The New Age Travel Planners
Digital platforms, driven by AI, are also playing a larger role in planning. 35% of travellers now rely on AI-powered tools and online platforms for research, bookings, and itinerary management—highlighting the evolving role of technology in shaping modern travel.
Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., remarked:
“The Indian traveller story is no longer just about ticking destinations off a list. It reflects changing lifestyles and rising aspirations. Our Holiday Report 2025 marks the arrival of the experience-first traveller—one who seeks depth, connection, and discovery over traditional sightseeing.”
SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, added:
“The shift towards slow, immersive travel is unmistakable. Be it river cruises, luxury rail journeys, or spiritual pilgrimages—we’re seeing strong momentum from young travellers as well. Booking behaviours are also evolving with our phygital model meeting customer needs at every touchpoint.”
The India Holiday Report 2025 by Thomas Cook and SOTC highlights a clear message: India is not just travelling more—it’s travelling differently. Experience is king, and today’s traveller is bold, curious, and unafraid to chase magic, meaning, and memory.
With India’s outbound and domestic travel markets expanding rapidly, the future of Indian tourism looks vibrant, dynamic, and deeply experiential.
