Analysis of 2,47,000 international passengers and over ₹500 crore in bookings across 170 plus destinations highlights Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities as the fastest growing source markets
New Delhi, 25 February 2026: TravClan has released the India Outbound Travel Index 2025, offering an analysis of outbound travel trends based on actual booking behaviour across its nationwide travel agent network. The study examines data from approximately 2,47,000 international passengers, representing more than ₹500 crore in booking value across over 170 international destinations, and outlines five structural shifts shaping outbound travel from India.
A key finding from the Index shows that non metro cities now account for 63 percent of India’s outbound international travellers. This positions non metro India as the largest contributor to outbound travel demand, marking a shift in the country’s travel composition as growth expands beyond traditional metro hubs.
Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Kochi, Amritsar and Pune have emerged among the fastest growing outbound markets. According to the report, rising incomes, improving passport access and expanding regional air connectivity are supporting sustained demand formation across these cities.
Arun Bagaria, Founder and CEO of TravClan, said, “The center of gravity for India’s outbound travel has shifted. Travel Businesses cannot build strategies just around Delhi and Mumbai anymore as we see consistent growth from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, driven by travellers who are digitally confident and decisive. Airlines, destinations, and travel brands need to embrace the next phase of outbound growth that will be built around these emerging markets.”
Destination preferences are also evolving. Vietnam has recorded the fastest growth, gaining 4.01 percentage points in market share. The report also notes strong hotel booking growth in Egypt, Japan, the Philippines and Georgia, reflecting demand for destinations that combine air access, competitive pricing and diverse experiences.
Travel planning timelines are becoming shorter. More than 42 percent of outbound trips are booked within seven days of departure, while 21.9 percent are planned more than a month in advance. This pattern reflects digital confidence and price responsive behaviour, particularly on short haul and high frequency routes.
Affordable air connectivity remains central to outbound expansion, with low cost carriers accounting for nearly 70 percent of bookings on key leisure routes such as the Maldives and Thailand. At the same time, travellers are extending their average stays across several destinations, indicating deeper engagement and experience led travel.
The India Outbound Travel Index 2025 suggests that the next phase of outbound growth will be defined by localised source markets, compressed booking cycles and differentiated travel intent. For industry stakeholders, long term relevance will depend on aligning strategies with these structural shifts.
TravClan operates as a global B2B Travel Tech platform that enables travel agents to sell travel online while providing end to end on ground services across markets.
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