To captivate international audiences, the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department is set to elevate the state’s global presence by showcasing Maha Kumbh 2025 at FITUR in Madrid, Spain, and ITB Berlin in Germany. With this, the tourism dept aims to position UP as a premier tourist destination, highlighting its rich cultural heritage and the significance of the Maha Kumbh mela.

Artificial Intelligence is making itineraries smarter and deeply personal. Users are using AI tools to ensure that travel is as enriching for them as it is for the environment. Santosh Kumar, Country Manager- India, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Indonesia, Booking.com, notes, “Technology will push travellers and the industry to rethink how we engage with the world.”

Experiential travel is expected to dominate 2025, with sports and art being the most popular. As per Skyscanner, flight bookings surged by 188% for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, reflecting growing excitement for global tournaments. Additionally, 79% Indian travellers are seeking interactive art experiences, with London and Tokyo emerging as top spots.

K Syama Raju, President, Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India (FHRAI), said, “The future of India’s hospitality sector and tourism is bright, with substantial growth expected in 2025 and beyond. Domestic tourism is projected to grow by 15–20%, driven by govt initiatives. The travel market is on track to reach $125 billion by FY27, with the hotel market set to grow from $32 billion in FY20 to $52 billion.

Highlighting the importance of tourism in boosting Goa’s economy, Rohan Khaunte, Tourism Minister, Goa, said, “Tourism is the heart of Goa’s economy, supporting numerous livelihoods and providing opportunities for our people. This season has been remarkable, with 4 and 5-star hotels nearly at full capacity, showcasing Goa as a top destination for high-spending travellers and charters from established and emerging markets”.

As airports embrace digital innovation, India positions itself to lead the world with its vision of a fully biometric-enabled and contactless airport experience. The Indian government and aviation authorities are keen on developing a robust framework for biometric systems that aligns with global practices. India is poised to lead the charge with the upcoming implementation of facial authentication technology for international air travel, scheduled for a pilot project in June 2025, said Siddharth Sharma, Head- IT Operations, Digi Yatra.

Travel among India’s senior citizens has evolved over the years with tour agencies observing a rise in demand, especially post-pandemic for adventure and non-traditional international destinations such as Antarctica and, the North Pole. According to KareVoyage, senior citizen travel is growing 17% year-on-year while its outbound senior travel numbers have tripled between March 2021 and March 2024.

Keen on developing infrastructure for night skiing in Auli to attract tourists from all over the world, Anil Baluni, BJP MP, Uttarakhand pitched for developing the spot from a popular ski resort destination to a world-class tourist attraction for the sport wherein world-level competitions among skiiers can take place and training being given to them.

The luxury travel sector has shown remarkable resilience. According to McKinsey, the industry is projected to grow from $1.4 trillion in 2024 to $2.2 trillion by 2030 globally. The Asia-Pacific region is leading the surge at a compound annual growth rate of 8.6% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is driven not just by affluence among the wealthy but by younger travellers.

According to a report by CRISIL Ratings, branded hotels are expected to post double-digit revenue growth of 13-14% this fiscal and 11-12% in the next, fuelled by demand outpacing supply. While domestic leisure and business travel will continue to be the primary demand drivers, growing traction in the MICE segment and pickup in foreign tourist arrivals will provide an additional fillip.