INDIA: According to new research by travel and tourism market research company MMGY Travel Intelligence, more than half of Indian travellers are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly experiences.
Portrait of Indian International Travellers, which unveils key new insights into the travel behaviours, motivations and preferences of Indian travellers exploring abroad, also found travellers who are confident and experience-driven, prioritising sustainability, safety and multi destination itineraries.
According to the research, which was conducted over one month between December last year and January 2025, the group also intends to spend an average of US$4,755 on leisure trips in the next 12 months, which is a 14 per cent increase in spending over the past year.
The Portrait of Indian International Travellers key findings include:
- 74 per cent of Indian travellers are aware of sustainable travel practices in the global marketplace, and 62 per cent are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly experiences such as carbon-offset programmes or green-certified lodging;
- The United States and Europe are the most popular destinations overall, with 83 per cent of Indian travellers expressing strong interest in visiting these regions in the next 12 months. Asia is a close third, at 80 per cent.
- Over the past three years, Millennials in India have taken an average of 3.5 international trips, making them the most frequent international travellers among the surveyed generations. Gen Zers, on the other hand, showed the highest growth in planned expenditures, predicting a 14.2 per cent increase in their budgets.
- The perceived safety of a destination remains a top concern, with 93 per cent of respondents citing it as the most critical factor in travel decisions. Additionally, 83 per cent prioritise destinations that offer vegetarian or halal food options, though many still express an eagerness to “dine local” through food trucks and other in-destination offerings.
- 90 per cent of travellers report being influenced by social media when selecting international destinations, with Instagram and YouTube being the most influential platforms.
Simon Moriarty, MMGY Travel Intelligence VP of Syndicated Research, said: “Our research shows that Indian international travellers are increasingly seeking seamless, personalised travel experiences that combine comfort, convenience and authenticity.
“This is a hugely important travel market and one that will continue to grow in value and influence. The spending power and desire for exploration of the Indian traveller cannot be underestimated.”
Based on a survey conducted between December 2024 and January 2025 of more than 3,000 adults with passports residing in India.