Tag Archives: India Outbound

At 2970m above sea level, Schilthorn offers a stunning 360-view of the surrounding region. As of 15 March 2025, visitors can experience the world’s steepest cable car. On top, a plethora of experiences await, ‘Spy World’ and ‘Walk of Fame’ exhibits, as well as the Piz Gloria revolving restaurant. Attend all webinars for a chance to win a trip to Switzerland in 2026! For more information, write to jaspreet.kaur@ddppl.com or 9650196532.

Ahmad Johanif Mohd Ali, Director, Tourism Malaysia, New Delhi Office said, “With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 campaign, we are focused on increasing arrivals from the Indian market. With the visa-free initiative, improved connectivity, and a strong focus on sustainable tourism, we aim to welcome more Indians.”

Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel, have signed a strategic 24-month partnership with Korea Tourism Organization – a collaboration that focuses on Special Projects towards increasing visibility for the destination in the high-potential India market. The MOU was signed by Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India), SD Nandakumar, President & Country Head – Holidays & Corporate Tours – SOTC Travel and Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, Korea Tourism Organization. Korea Tourism Organization’s exclusive partnership with Thomas Cook and SOTC Travel leverages on Special Projects to drive year-round awareness and inspiration for Korea. The collaboration extends across exchange of knowledge, best practices and development of unique-innovative products designed specifically for Indian travellers, fostering long-term growth in leisure, business and MICE segments for Korea. Korea offers a vibrant and enriching experience for Indian travellers, blending luxury, culture, wellness and exceptional cuisine. The global Hallyu wave has elevated Korea’s cultural influence, with the rise of the K-beauty industry, K-pop and K-drama experiences captivating audiences worldwide. Korean cuisine, or Hansik, known for its bold flavours and healthy ingredients, adds another layer to the country’s appeal, offering a delightful culinary journey. Expanding beyond Seoul and Busan, regions like Jeju Island, Gangwon Province and Jeollanam-do offer untapped potential for immersive travel experiences focused on wellness and relaxation, with state-of-the-art spas and wellness centres. This diverse offering positions Korea as a prime destination for India’s affluent and wellness-conscious market, driving sustained growth in tourism. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head, Holidays, MICE, Visa – Thomas Cook (India) said, “With new destinations and exciting experiential travel driving demand, South Korea is perfectly positioned to inspire the …

The Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi witnessed remarkable growth with the Emirate’s hotels welcoming 4.8 million guests and a 26 per cent increase in international guests year-to-date (YTD) as of October 2024. The international visitors were predominantly from 26 key source markets, including India, China, Russia, the UK, and Saudi Arabia.

Noriah Jaafar, Director, Tourism Malaysia, Mumbai, said, “We will focus on joint promotions and tactical campaigns to further boost Indian arrivals. We are also excited to prepare for Visit Malaysia Year 2026, which will serve as a cornerstone for our future tourism initiatives, aiming to attract more visitors from India.”

According to Booking.com’s annual travel predictions 2025, unique and unexplored destinations are set to capture Indian travellers’ attention this year. It reveals that Gudauri & Tbilisi in Georgia, Gabala in Azerbaijan, and Tromsø in Norway are among the top trending international destinations for Indian travellers in 2025.

Thailand welcomed more than 35 million international tourists in 2024, surpassing the government’s target. India has contributed as the top 3 source markets in this tourist influx after China and Malaysia. Consequently, Thailand generated more than 1.6 trillion baht (US$46 billion) from tourist spending in 2024, according to Sorawong Thienthong, Tourism Minister, Thailand.

India’s outbound travel market is poised for extraordinary growth, with passenger numbers projected to reach 39 million by 2028, reflecting a robust 8 per cent annual compound growth rate (CAGR) from 2023, according to Travelport. In 2023, India’s outbound travel exceeded pre-COVID levels, reaching 27 million passengers with a total travel value of US$40 billion.  

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) celebrated a significant milestone with the arrival of this year’s 2,000,000th Indian tourist at Suvarnabhumi Airport on 16 December. This achievement underscores India’s vital role as a key source market for Thailand’s thriving tourism industry. The grand welcome ceremony was attended by Sorawong Thienthong, Minister of Tourism and Sports; H.E. Nagesh Singh, Ambassador of India to Thailand; Thapanee Kiatphaibool, TAT Governor; Pattaraanong Na Chiangmai, TAT Deputy Governor for International Marketing – Asia and the South Pacific; and executives from Suvarnabhumi Airport and Thai Airways International (THAI). 𝐒𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐰𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐠, Minister of Tourism and Sports remarked, “It is with immense pleasure that we welcome the 2,000,000th Indian tourist to Thailand this year. This milestone highlights the growing popularity of Thailand among Indian travellers.”

South Africa Tourism highlights its rich culture and natural beauty, educating the Indian travel trade on lesser-known regions of the country South African Tourism concluded the third leg of its 10th edition of the ‘Learn South Africa’ workshop in Kochi, following successful events in Chandigarh and Nagpur. This initiative aimed to engage key travel trade partners across India, particularly focusing on the growing interest from tier-2 and tier-3 cities. Over 100 travel trade partners from Kochi participated in the event, offering beyond its well-known destinations like Cape Town and Johannesburg and helping them to gain insights into South Africa’s hidden gems such as Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal India remains one of the largest source markets for South Africa, with increasing interest from smaller cities like Kochi. Indian travellers are on the lookout for diverse experiences that range from thrilling adventures to rich cultural explorations. In response to this demand, the workshop equipped travel partners with the necessary knowledge and tools to create customised itineraries tailored for travellers in India. The objective of South African Tourism is to position the Rainbow Nation as a premier choice for leisure and MICE travel. Commenting on the event in Kochi, Gcobani Mancotywa, Regional General Manager, Asia, Australasia, and the Middle East, South African Tourism, said, “We have witnessed notable trends among Kochi travellers, such as a growing preference for experiential travel, wellness tourism, and adventure activities. Further, travellers from this region are rapidly emerging as a significant market for South African tourism, we have seen a notable increase in inquiries from local travellers seeking unique and offbeat experiences in H1 2024. Our collaboration with local trade partners has been exceptionally positive, reinforcing …