Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent appeal asking citizens to avoid non-essential foreign travel has once again shifted focus inwards - towards India's
own tourism industry. The statement comes at a time when international vacations are becoming more expensive and stressful for many travellers. Rising airfares, visa delays, geopolitical tensions are some of the many reasons that have slowly changed how Indians are planning holidays. Instead of cancelling travel plans altogether, many people are now reconsidering where they want to go. And increasingly, the answer seems to be within India itself. According to Mr. Ravi Gosain, who is President of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), "Travel in India is projected to witness a shift in consumer behaviour instead of a drop-off following the Prime Minister's encouragement to refrain from travelling internationally unless it is essential." He further explains that while outbound travel crossed pre-pandemic levels in 2024, several factors have started impacting international leisure travel. "Geopolitical challenges, inflationary pressures and increasing travel costs have made consumers increasingly reluctant to make outbound travel arrangements," he says. Along with this, Gosain also points out that some travel segments have already witnessed a "10 to 15 percent decline in outbound leisure travel inquiries since March," particularly for long-haul destinations.
Kashmir To Kerala: Domestic Travel Will Witness A Surge
While international travel may slow down temporarily, domestic tourism is expected to witness significant growth during the upcoming holiday season. Gosain estimates that "domestic tourism could grow by as much as 15 to 20%," especially across destinations like Kashmir, Kerala, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, Northeast India, the Andaman Islands and spiritual tourism circuits.As per reports, Kashmir continues to remain one of India's strongest tourist magnets for travellers seeking mountain landscapes, luxury stays and cooler weather. Also, destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg are increasingly becoming alternatives to expensive European vacations. Kerala, meanwhile, continues to attract tourists that are looking for wellness retreats, backwaters, beaches and slow travel experiences. The tourism appeal of Rajasthan has also expanded beyond palace sightseeing. Cities like Jaipur, Udaipur and Jodhpur are now popular for boutique heritage hotels, local food experiences and cultural tourism. Uttarakhand is also seeing interest beyond traditional hill stations. There are places like Chopta, Kanatal and Munsiyari which are becoming popular among travellers.
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Then comes the Northeast which is also witnessing a stronger tourism interest. Meghalaya, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are attracting tourists looking for nature-driven and less commercial experiences.
Spiritual Tourism To Be Bigger Than Ever
One of the biggest beneficiaries of this shift could be India's spiritual tourism sector. Destinations like Varanasi, Ayodhya, Somnath, Tirupati, Ujjain and Vaishno Devi continue to attract massive crowds across different age groups. The Char Dham Yatra circuit has also witnessed rising popularity over the last few years. Interestingly, spiritual tourism is no longer limited to religious travel alone as many travellers, especially the younger groups are now combining pilgrimage with heritage exploration, wellness retreats and cultural experiences.As per an Agoda report, nearly one in five Indian travellers (19%) expect to take a spiritually motivated trip in 2026, the highest share among Asian markets surveyed. For the unversed, spiritual tourism is no longer just about offering prayers and performing rituals. Its scope has significantly expanded into nourishing the soul holistically. Take Varanasi for instance. The fact that it is one of the oldest living cities in the world, pulls global tourists from all corners of the world for the heritage exploration, Ganges boat rides, local crafts and food trails. The same goes for a spot like Risihkesh which besides being the gateway to the Himalayas is also the yoga capital of the world - not to mention the adeventure sports ecosystem which thrives there.
