The year 2025 proved exceptionally strong for IRIS Reps, driving both business growth and deeper industry relationships. Strong momentum across its DMC partners and hospitality brands reflected the growing confidence of the Indian outbound traveller, with experience-led travel emerging as a clear priority. Alefiya Singh, Director and Founder of IRIS Reps, shares more insights.
Priyanka Saxena Ray
How has 2025 been for your organisation in terms of overall performance and market response?
Year 2025 has been a very rewarding year for us at IRIS Reps, both from a business and relationship point of view. We saw strong momentum across our DMC partners as well as our hospitality brands, which clearly showed how confident and curious the Indian outbound traveller has become. The market response was encouraging, with travel partners engaging more deeply. One clear shift we noticed was how experience-led travel has taken centre stage. Travellers were happy to spend more when the offering felt meaningful—be it a thoughtfully planned island stay, a wildlife journey, or a culturally immersive itinerary. Long-haul destinations, celebrations, family holidays, and special-occasion travel grew steadily. There was also greater demand for hotels that offer a complete experience, not just a place to stay.
Have there been any new additions to your portfolio or clientele this year, and how have these strengthened your presence in the Indian market?
Yes, 2025 was a strong year for strategic portfolio expansion. On the hospitality front, we were delighted to add Barceló Hotels & Resorts in the Maldives and Phuket. These resorts have connected very well with the Indian market, especially travellers looking for contemporary, vibrant properties with strong dining, leisure, and family-friendly experiences. They have given our trade partners refreshed options in two extremely popular destinations.
From a DMC perspective, welcoming Rickshaw Travels for Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda was a significant step for us. Alongside our existing partners like Tour Managers Fiji, Pacific Pearl Holidays for Australia and New Zealand, and Authentic Asia for Vietnam, this has made our portfolio more balanced and future-ready.
How is India performing as a source market in international tourism, and do you have any strategic announcements lined up for 2026?
India continues to perform exceptionally well as a source market for international tourism. Travel is no longer limited to metros—there is strong outbound interest coming from tier 2 and tier 3 cities, and travellers are increasingly well-informed and aspirational. There is also a healthy demand across both hospitality and destination-led travel, which makes India a key focus market globally.
As we look at 2026, our focus will be on deeper engagement with the trade, stronger education around both hotels and destinations, and building campaigns around niche travel segments such as wildlife, wellness, family travel, and celebratory journeys.
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