Indian Travelers Drive Global Tourism Growth; Spark Strategic Partnerships

Indian travelers are increasingly venturing abroad, leading international tourism boards, destination management companies, and luxury hotels to focus on enhancing their appeal to this high-potential market.

On Wednesday, Thomas Cook (India) and SOTC Travel entered a strategic two-year partnership with the Korea Tourism Organization, aimed at boosting the visibility of South Korea among Indian travelers.

South Korea Sees Surge In Indian Arrivals

In 2024, South Korea welcomed over 176,000 Indian tourists, marking a 44% increase compared to the previous year. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India and SAARC countries at the Korea Tourism Organization, attributed the rise to the growing global influence of Hallyu, which includes K-pop, K-dramas, and K-beauty.

Yun added, “South Korea’s well-developed infrastructure and seamless connectivity enhance its appeal as a destination.”

To sustain this momentum, Yun revealed that the country is expanding its tourism strategy to include regional tourism development and customized special interest tours, going beyond traditional travel promotions.

Expanding Partnerships To Capture New Markets

Beyond South Korea, Thomas Cook (India) has recently signed long-term memorandums of understanding with several tourism boards, including Moscow, Georgia, and Sabah (Malaysia).

These partnerships aim to boost visibility and drive growth by showcasing newer destinations and experiences tailored for India’s evolving traveler demographic, according to Rajeev Kale, President and Country Head of Holidays, MICE, and Visa at Thomas Cook (India) Limited.

As global tourism boards target India’s high-potential outbound travelers, the country’s growing middle and high-net-worth traveler segments are drawing significant attention.

Rajesh Magow, Co-Founder and Group CEO of MakeMyTrip, noted that this cohort of travelers is leading the surge in international tourism.

Increased Indian Visitors To Türkiye And Dubai

Visitor numbers from India increased by 20.7% for Türkiye in 2024, and the Turkish tourism authority is ramping up efforts to maintain this growth.

A spokesperson announced that the largest-ever delegation of Turkish tourism companies would visit India this year to conduct roadshows in cities like Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.

Also Read: Central Railway Leads The Way In Green Energy; Saves Over Rs 6,000 Crore

India is also one of the leading repeat visitation markets for Dubai. Bader Ali Habib, Director of Proximity Markets at Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), stated, “India is no longer a mass market but a highly specialized one. We are focused on growing the high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth segments.”

Dubai is introducing new incentives, such as visa-on-arrival extensions for Indians holding visas from countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia.

Habib invited Indian travelers to experience new attractions like the world’s tallest Ferris wheel and the luxury resort Marsa Al Arab.

Singapore Celebrates 60 Years Of Friendship With India

This year marks the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between India and Singapore, and the Singapore Tourism Board has introduced new initiatives to enhance the travel experience for Indian visitors. Markus Tan, Regional Director for India, Middle East, South Asia, and Africa at the Singapore Tourism Board, highlighted events like The Gamechangers Studio show and the 60 Insiders panel, which offer a “multi-dimensional way” for Indian travelers to explore Singapore’s hidden gems.

Special deals and privileges under the “just between us friends” campaign will also be available to Indian visitors this year.

Luxury Resorts Cater To Growing Indian Demand

Luxury resorts across the globe are responding to the growing demand from Indian tourists. The Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui hired Indian chef Deepak Palakurthi to cater to the increasing number of Indian guests, while the Kuda Villingili Resort in the Maldives anticipates a 10-15% increase in bookings from Indian travelers in 2025.

Farid Abbasov, Director of Sales and Marketing at Chenot Palace Gabala, a wellness retreat in Azerbaijan, also expects a 10% rise in Indian visitors next year.

Experiential Travel Drives Demand

SD Nandakumar, President and Country Head for Holidays and Corporate Tours at SOTC Travel, emphasized that India’s outbound travel market remains strong, with increasing numbers of Indian travelers exploring destinations like South Korea, Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Sabah.

Nandakumar pointed out that experiential travel is driving this demand, with global music festivals, sporting events, and unique attractions emerging as key motivators.

He added, “We see an exciting opportunity for further growth through our strategic partnerships with these destinations, as rising interest and growing popularity in these countries continue to attract Indian tourists.”

As Indian travelers continue to seek out new and immersive experiences, the global tourism industry is responding with targeted initiatives and partnerships designed to cater to this burgeoning market.