INDIAN TRAVELLERS GO GLOBAL: SAFETY, SOCIAL MEDIA AND SUSTAINABILITY STAND OUT IN NEW MMGY STUDY

Inaugural Portrait of Indian International Travellers™ unveils evolving trends and preferences of a rising global force

LONDON (March 19, 2025) – As India rapidly matures in global and economic influence, so does the buying power of its vast and adventurous travelling population. According to new research by MMGY Travel Intelligence, passport-carrying adults in India intend to spend an average of $4,755 on leisure trips in the next 12 months, pinpointing a 14% increase in spending over the past year. This and other findings are at the core of Portrait of Indian International Travellers™ – which unveils key new insights into the travel behaviors, motivations and preferences of Indian travellers exploring abroad. 

“India is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s most influential outbound travel markets,” said Caroline Moultrie, MMGY Global President, EMEA. “This study reveals a confident, experience-driven audience prioritising safety, sustainability and multidestination itineraries. Understanding this shift is key to unlocking the next wave of global travel growth.”

Based on a survey conducted between December 2024 and January 2025 of more than 3,000 adults with passports residing in India, the report’s key findings include: 

• Appeal to Younger Generations: Over the past three years, Millennials in India have taken an average of 3.5 international trips, making them the most frequent international travellers among the surveyed generations. Gen Zers, on the other hand, showed the highest growth in planned expenditures, predicting a 14.2% increase in their budgets. 
• Safety and Convenience: The perceived safety of a destination remains a top concern, with 93% of respondents citing it as the most critical factor in travel decisions. Additionally, 83% prioritise destinations that offer vegetarian or halal food options, though many still express an eagerness to “dine local” through food trucks and other in-destination offerings. 
• Social Media’s Influence: A staggering 90% of travellers report being influenced by social media when selecting international destinations, with Instagram and YouTube being the most influential platforms.
• Sustainability Matters: Among those surveyed, 74% of Indian travellers are aware of sustainable travel practices in the global marketplace, and 62% are willing to pay a premium for eco-friendly experiences such as carbon-offset programmes or green-certified lodging. 
• Top Destinations: The United States and Europe are the most popular destinations overall, with 83% of Indian travellers expressing strong interest in visiting these regions in the next 12 months. Asia is a close third, at 80%. 

Additional findings in Portrait of Indian International Travellers™ include insights into the travel planning process, such as the role of travel agents and group tours, as well as evolving preferences regarding airlines, lodging and more. 

Simon Moriarty, MMGY Travel Intelligence VP of Syndicated Research, said that the report equips travel marketers with tangible insights at a critical time for the industry. 

“Our research shows that Indian international travellers are increasingly seeking seamless, personalised travel experiences that combine comfort, convenience and authenticity,” Moriarty said. “This is a hugely important travel market and one that will continue to grow in value and influence. The spending power and desire for exploration of the Indian traveller cannot be underestimated.” 

The study is now available for purchase or as part of an all-access subscription to EurekA! – MMGY’s new searchable research platform. To learn more, visit mmgyintel.com. 

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About MMGY 

As MMGY Global’s flagship integrated marketing communications agency, MMGY delivers creative solutions driven by research and insights from around the world. For more than four decades, MMGY has offered a holistic approach to marketing strategy – from branding through deployment – to deliver measurable success to the world’s premier travel and tourism brands. As a company dedicated to the global travel industry, MMGY strives to create a connected, inclusive and peaceful world by promoting travel as a cultural bridge of understanding. For more information, visit mmgy.com.

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