Rise of the Indian tourist

As India's market expands and China faces challenges in reviving outbound tourism, India is capturing a portion of the market that was previously dominated by Chinese travelers

Rising incomes, a growing middle class, and expanding flight connections are driving increased travel in India, mirroring trends seen in China over the past decades, analysts suggest.

Key takeaways

• In India, reaching the middle class and gaining paid leave often trigger an interest in travel;
• By 2027, India is expected to surpass Australia, Canada, and France to become the world’s fifth-largest outbound tourism market, with Indian tourists predicted to contribute $89 billion, more than double the $38 billion in 2019;
• The Middle East is the top destination for Indian travelers, followed by Southeast Asia, North America, and Western Europe;
• India has become the largest source of tourists in Dubai, overtaking Saudi Arabia and Oman, and is the third-largest for Thailand.

Get the full story at The Financial Times