Jutanuch Wanachote
Diwali – the festival of lights, laughter, and togetherness – is one of India’s most cherished celebrations. While families will reunite at home, a growing number are choosing to share the joy in new destinations abroad. Latest data from ForwardKeys, an Amadeus company, shows that international departures from India during the festive period (13th – 26th October) are +24% ahead of last year, with travellers increasingly drawn to destinations within Asia Pacific such as Vietnam, Japan, and Saudi Arabia for their holiday break. These destinations are known for their hospitality, rich culture, and easy connectivity from India.
Regional favourites lead the way
Asia Pacific continues to dominate India’s outbound travel trends, with bookings for the region up +30% year-on-year, and North East Asia (+53%) emerging as the top-performing subregion. Among individual countries with more than 1.5% share, Vietnam (+152%) and Saudi Arabia (+128%) lead the growth rankings, followed by Sri Lanka (+82%), Hong Kong (+77%), and Japan (+74%).
Some factors behind the sharp rise in bookings to these destinations could be the combined impact of proximity and shorter travel times, expanded air connectivity, favourable visa policies, and a growing appetite for short-haul and cultural escapes among Indian travellers.
Ahmedabad and Mumbai set the pace
From the top ten origin cities in India, Ahmedabad (+135%) and Mumbai (+38%) show the strongest year-on-year growth in international bookings, ahead of Delhi (+22%), Chennai (+16%), and Bengaluru (+1%).
Mumbai continues to dominate with over one-third (34%) of all outbound bookings, underscoring its role as the country’s leading international gateway, while Ahmedabad’s surge positions it as an emerging hub.
Medium-length holidays take centre stage
Travellers planning 6–13 night stays are driving much of this year’s expansion, with bookings +42% above last year and now accounting for 40% of all trips. These medium-length holidays represent a key holiday profile — one that tends to generate greater economic and cultural value for destinations.
Compared to short stays, these travellers typically spend more, stay longer, and have more time to immerse themselves in local experiences — exploring attractions beyond the main tourist hubs and contributing to a more balanced distribution of tourism benefits.
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