Event-led, experiential travel leads Indians' holiday preferences: Thomas Cook-SOTC report

Experiential and event-led travel, including polar and icebreaker cruises, music concerts, global sporting events, wildlife safaris, gastronomy and vineyard trails, stargazing camps, and phenomenon travel, are leading the preferences of Indian travellers, according to the India Holiday Report 2025 by Thomas Cook (India) Limited and SOTC Travel. The report, based on a survey of over 2,500 respondents across digital platforms, highlights a notable shift driven by rising disposable incomes and the aspirational value of travel, especially experiential holidays. With 85% of Indians planning to increase their holiday frequency and many intending to boost budgets by up to 50%, the travel economy is poised for strong growth. Travellers show a marked preference for longer domestic and international holidays, with interest growing in spiritual travel, hidden gems, and unique accommodations such as igloos, treehouses, and chalets-chateaus.
The report further reveals that 60% of respondents are increasingly influenced by social media, over-the-top (OTT) platforms, and movies when making travel decisions, while 44% prefer destinations with simplified visa processes, such as e-visas or visa-on-arrival, including Thailand, Malaysia, the UAE, and Sri Lanka. Promotions strongly impact decisions, with 39% actively seeking discounts or special offers. About 85% plan to increase their annual trips from two to four or six, while 84% aim to raise travel expenditure by 20-50% in 2025, with over 18% targeting a 50% increase. Europe remains the top international destination, with 50% of visitors, led by Switzerland, France, Austria, and Germany. At the same time, Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, gains appeal for short, affordable trips (32%). President and Country Head – Holidays, Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd., Mr. Rajeev Kale, noted that the evolving traveller mindset prioritises depth, discovery, and emotion over traditional sightseeing. President and Country Head of Holidays and Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, Mr. S. D. Nandakumar, added that slow travel, spiritual tourism, and adventure experiences are increasingly popular, especially among millennials and Generation Z.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.