In India, May is that time of the year when people have either already booked their summer holiday or are actively exploring options. With temperatures
set to become unbearable and schools closing for the break, everyone is looking to plan a getaway. But this year feels different. The ongoing tensions involving Iran and the US, the aftermath of which includes rising airfares, concerns around travelling to certain areas and a broader sense of global uncertainty, are all quietly reshaping how Indians are planning their holidays. The shift isn’t dramatic enough to halt travel but it is significant enough to change the way decisions are being made. "Indian travellers aren’t necessarily travelling less, they are travelling smarter," says Sumanth Donthi, Founder of Roamiyo, a travel planning platform. What he’s observing is not a drop in intent, but a change in mindset. Travel decisions, which were once driven largely by aspiration, are now being filtered through a more practical lens. "Earlier, it was about ‘Where do I want to go?’ Today, it’s equally about 'How smoothly can I get there, and how easily can I get out if things change?'" he explains. Real-world disruptions are feeding into traveller psychology. Donthi shares a personal example of a family member who was stranded on a cruise ship near Qatar for nearly 10 days due to the conflict, a situation that until recently, would have been considered rare. Incidents like these are now becoming reference points, shaping how people assess risk before booking. Across the industry, there is consensus that travel hasn’t slowed, it has evolved. Manjari Singhal, Chief Growth and Business Officer at Cleartrip, describes today’s traveller as 'far more thoughtful and adaptive.' According to her, the situation in West Asia has added 'a layer of caution,' prompting people to actively reassess and, in many cases, diversify their plans. "Instead of sticking to predictable choices, travellers are exploring alternatives that offer a better mix of accessibility, safety and value." "We are seeing a clear shift toward shorter-haul international trips, especially across Southeast Asia. Destinations like Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia continue to offer a strong mix of affordability and ease. At the same time, emerging locations such as Almaty and the Philippines are seeing sharp growth with the Philippines witnessing a threefold jump in bookings. Places like Bali, Colombo, and Singapore are also gaining favour, given their 3–4 hour flight times that make them ideal for quick, low-risk getaways," says Manjari. What’s equally telling is how quickly plans are changing. Donthi points out that last-minute rerouting is becoming increasingly common. In his own family, a planned trip to Qatar and Saudi Arabia was swapped for Thailand just as geopolitical tensions escalated. This kind of real-time decision-making shows a broader behavioural shift where people do not want flexibility simply as a preference but it's becoming an expectation. That expectation is reshaping what travellers are willing to pay for. “In many ways, peace of mind has become a product people are actively willing to pay for,” Donthi says. Refundable bookings, easy cancellations, and travel insurance are no longer optional add-ons. they are central to the booking decision. Singhal reinforces this with data, noting a 100% growth in customers opting for flexible travel solutions and insurance on Cleartrip. Protection is now part of the trip itself, not an afterthought. Interestingly, this caution is not dampening the desire to travel. Domestic tourism, for example, is seeing renewed momentum, but not as a fallback. Destinations like Goa, Kashmir, and spiritual circuits are being chosen deliberately, while places like Jaisalmer have recorded a staggering 300% increase in bookings. The Northeast, too, is witnessing strong growth, with cities like Shillong, Guwahati, and Imphal drawing increasing interest. Anuj Sawhney, Managing Director of Swiss Military, sees this as part of a larger trend. “Travel isn’t slowing down, it’s becoming more intentional. Travellers are opting for shorter, better-planned trips and prioritising reliability, a shift that is even influencing what they purchase. Luggage and travel gear, for instance, are now being chosen for functionality and durability rather than impulse." Control and convenience are emerging as key themes in how people want to experience travel. Aman Naagar, Managing Director of Avis India, points to a rise in demand for self-drive options, longer rentals, and airport transfers. “People want to move on their own time instead of following a fixed schedule,” he says. This preference extends beyond domestic travel to international trips as well, where having access to a car offers flexibility and reduces dependence on local systems. “Travel linked to events is also becoming more visible. From domestic cricket matches that double up as short breaks to global events like the FIFA World Cup prompting early bookings, itineraries are increasingly being built around experiences rather than just destinations," says Aman. All of this just tell us that Indians are not abandoning their summer holidays, they are simply approaching them differently.
