Shreya Shimpi
Dipen Mistry, Hon. Secretary, TAAI South Gujarat
Travel is now experience-led, with demand for detailed explorations, luxury stays, and seamless connectivity. Travellers are increasingly seeking curated packages that uncover hidden gems and offbeat experiences, moving beyond the mainstream. Top picks for 2025: Seychelles, Vietnam, Japan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, and South Korea. This shift highlights how Indians are eager to blend leisure with cultural discovery, making experiential travel the new norm.
Rajendra Akolkar, Hon. Secretary, TAAI Vidarbha
Travellers are choosing sustainability, wellness, and offbeat experiences, reflecting a shift towards meaningful exploration. Vietnam, Georgia, Uzbekistan, Japan, and Nordics are rising for their affordability and uniqueness, while Dubai, Bali, and Langkawi remain strong short-haul favourites. Domestically, Shillong and the North East lead among young explorers eager for nature and adventure. The appetite for unconventional journeys is a sign that Indian travellers are ready to embrace diverse landscapes and lifestyles.
Amit Navlani, Hon. Secretary, TAAI MP & CG
Tier 2 & 3 travellers are driving fresh demand with immersive journeys, from cherry blossoms in Japan to safaris in Africa. Visa ease and new regional airports are catalysts, making spontaneous and smarter trips possible. Emerging favourites: Georgia, Vietnam, South Korea, Japan, Mauritius, Seychelles, and Abu Dhabi—destinations offering cultural depth and scenic diversity. This evolving profile is pushing travel professionals to innovate, ensuring every journey is both meaningful and memorable.
Sainath Dharwatkar, Hon. Secretary, TAAI Goa
Conscious, AI-driven travel defines 2025, with 61% of travellers under 35 seeking wellness, culture, and spontaneity. Younger travellers are exploring new horizons with short-haul, affordable destinations as well as eco-conscious itineraries. Malaysia, Kazakhstan, Bali, Vietnam, Philippines, Baku, Almaty, Sri Lanka, and Middle East hubs dominate the charts, while cruise tourism from UAE ports is gaining popularity. This new era marks a shift towards responsible exploration, with travellers eager to leave a positive footprint wherever they go.
Kannappan Babu, Hon. Secretary, TAAI Southern Region
With shrinking margins online, agents add value via expertise and personalization, offering problem-solving and trust that technology alone can’t replicate. Young travellers and visa-friendly destinations fuel growth, with Asia leading through Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, and Vietnam. Top 2025 picks: Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. On the domestic front, Maha Kumbh, Kashmir, Andamans, and Pahalgam are driving travel interest, reflecting a revival of faith-based and nature-driven tourism across India.
Anurag Agarwal, Hony. Secretary, TAAI – NR
Outbound travel in 2025 is witnessing a surge, with short-haul Southeast Asia leading due to affordability and ease, while the Middle East has emerged as a favourite thanks to connectivity, visas, and attractive stopovers. Luxury and premium travel are also growing significantly. For me, the Abu Dhabi convention promises three key takeaways—networking with 300+ TAAI members, gaining insights from powerful knowledge sessions, and experiencing Abu Dhabi’s cultural depth firsthand. Together, these will inspire new opportunities for members to expand outbound horizons. I also see it as a chance to deepen fraternity bonds, exchange innovative ideas, and return with renewed energy to better serve the evolving expectations of Indian travellers.
Dr. Pazhani Murugesan, TAAI Member
Experiential and wellness travel are major drivers of outbound demand, with travellers seeking authentic cultural immersions, adventure, or holistic healing experiences. Luxury and personalized itineraries are also on the rise, especially among Tier II and III travellers who now aspire for unique, premium journeys. Sustainability and regenerative tourism have become imperatives, shaping travel choices. Abu Dhabi, with its focus on wellness and culture, presents immense opportunities for partnerships between Indian and Middle Eastern stakeholders. At the convention, I see great potential in building collaborations for wellness tourism, spiritual packages, and cultural exchanges that will enhance both outbound and inbound flows between India and the region. The sessions will be a knowledge bridge, helping members understand how to blend India’s ancient strengths with global aspirations for new-age travel.
Anoop Kanuga, TAAI Member
Experiential travel built around events—concerts, Formula One, football matches, or art festivals—is on the rise, with travellers extending their stays for destination exploration. Social media continues to inspire demand for trending destinations like Baku and Phu Quoc, while VR and AR allow travellers to ‘see before they buy.’ Travellers are also more willing to spend on passion-driven journeys, from art tours in South America to music programs in Amsterdam. At the Abu Dhabi convention, I look forward to engaging with suppliers, exploring innovative products, and building collaborations rooted not just in business but also in trust and shared growth. I feel this is the right time for our fraternity to come together, share real stories, and co-create journeys that reflect the aspirations of today’s discerning outbound travellers.
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