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<keyword id="19895063" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="india" source="keywords">India</keyword>'s rank on the <keyword id="20020435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Economic-Forum" source="keywords">World Economic Forum</keyword>'s <keyword id="21747126" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel-Tourism-Development-Index-2024" source="Orion">Travel &amp; Tourism Development Index 2024</keyword> has risen to 39th place, with global tourism activities returning to pre-pandemic levels, the annual report showed on Tuesday. While the US topped the list, India is ranked highest in South Asia and among the lower-middle-income economies, the <keyword id="102110" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="WEF" source="Orion">WEF</keyword> said. India was ranked 54th in the previously published index in 2021, though changes made to the index parameters limit its comparability to earlier years. After the US, Spain, Japan, France and Australia figure among the top five in the 2024 list. The index, prepared in collaboration with the University of Surrey, showed India is highly price-competitive (18th) and boasts competitive Air Transport (26th) and Ground and Port (25th) infrastructure. In particular, India's strong Natural (6th), Cultural (9th) and Non-Leisure (9th) Resources help drive travel, and the country is only one of three to score in the top 10 for all the resource pillars, the WEF said. Moreover, despite a decline compared to 2019, the country still scores well for <keyword id="2173225" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel-and-tourism" source="Orion">travel and tourism</keyword> demand sustainability, especially thanks to more sustainable long stays among inbound visitors. It further said that as with many economies, travel and tourism enabling conditions in India have been impacted by global inflationary supply-side trends for the sector, with price competitiveness declining, while air transport and tourist services infrastructure are yet to recover to the 2019 level. As a result, the country's overall TTDI (Travel and Tourism Development Index) score is 2.1 per cent below its 2019 level. High-income economies in Europe and Asia-Pacific continued to lead the index. "International tourist arrivals and the travel and tourism sector's contribution to global GDP are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by the lifting of COVID-19-related travel restrictions and strong pent-up demand," the WEF said. The Middle East had the highest recovery rates in international tourist arrivals (20 per cent above the 2019 level), while Europe, Africa and the Americas all showed a strong recovery of around 90 per cent in 2023. The biennial index analysed the travel and tourism sectors of 119 countries around a range of factors and policies. Germany was ranked 6th, followed by the UK, China, Italy and Switzerland in the top ten. The results highlighted that high-income economies generally continue to have more favourable conditions for travel and tourism development. This was helped by conducive business environments, dynamic labour markets, open travel policies, strong transport and tourism infrastructure, and well-developed natural, cultural and non-leisure attractions.

India rises to rank 39th on WEF's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, becomes highest ranked South Asian nation

Who does not love to travel? Most of us would give anything to take a long break from our regular work life and travel the world! And if the vacation rental behemoth <keyword id="19900375" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Airbnb" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="Airbnb" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="Airbnb">Airbnb</keyword> is to be believed, Indians are taking to traveling with renewed vigor. When it comes to international travel right now, most Indians are traveling to Tokyo, largely to witness the momijgari (red leaf hunting), or the autumn tradition where leaves turn red, which makes for a breathtaking sight. For those seeking a little peace and quiet, the Amalfi Coast, off the Mediterranean Sea is in vogue. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan are also being increasingly making their way on the travel wish list of most Indian travellers. Per Airbnb, other countries on this list include Montenegro, Norway, Luxembourg, and Georgia. Closer home, the bustling city of Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh is amongst the top travel destination for most Indians, along with the tropical Lakshadweep. People are also flocking to Ujjain and the hilly, quaint town of Munsiyari in Uttarakhand to take a well deserved break from their hectic lives. Says Vinay Bagri, Co-founder and CEO, Niyo, a travel banking platform"India’s growing middle class and increasing incomes are driving the rise in outbound travel. Additionally, India’s soft power diplomacy is shaping global travel industry trends. According to the Henley Passport Index, there are 62 countries where Indian passport holders can travel visa-free". "Niyo has seen a 60% growth in international travel over the past year. 55% among leisure travelers, 70% in student travel, and 25% in business travel. Interestingly, 40% of the customers we onboarded were first-time international travellers”, he continued. <h2>Be financially prepared</h2>But while it is great to travel, or take that dream vacation or overseas trip, setting aside money for the same can certainly be a herculean task. That's why, the key to a stress-free getaway, irrespective of it being a short break or an extended adventure, lies in making strategic investment choices. Here are some ways in which you can create a healthy corpus for your travelling, all from your savings: Creating a Vacation Budget Establish a comprehensive budget that covers expenses such as travel, currency exchange rates, time off from work, and the number of travelers. Conducting in-depth research on your destination, the best time to visit, and other relevant details can also lead to significant savings. A good idea is to plan in advance the number of vacations you wish to take each year. Deciding and booking your tickets ahead of time can help you save costs. Also, having a dedicated <keyword id="23343124" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel-Fund" source="keywords">travel fund</keyword>, separate from your daily expenses, helps you stay focused. Consider using a fixed deposit or a liquid mutual fund to watch your money grow faster. Per Swati Bhargava, Co-Founder of CashKaro and EarnKaro, building a travel fund not only allows you to experience your dream vacation, but also fosters healthy financial habits that prevents debt and maximizes the value of your hard-earned money. Short-term Gains for Quick Access Says Bhuvan Rustagi COO &amp; Co-founder of Per Annum, "By exploring options such as recurring deposits, liquid funds and short-term bonds, individuals can enhance their financial flexibility, which can also help them plan any spontaneous adventures". Don't let your travel fund sit idle in a savings account. You can invest it in various short-term instruments, depending on your risk appetite. In case you want to play it safe, a recurring deposit or liquid funds are a good option. For people willing to take on more risk, P2P lending can also be a good option. Automate your way By setting up recurring transfers from your primary account to a dedicated travel savings account, you can ensure that a portion of your income is automatically saved each month. This disciplined approach will eliminates the temptation to spend impulsively, and will also help you stay committed to your travel goals. During the festive season, which will set in from next month, most online platforms, websites, and aggregators abound with enticing discounts on flights and hotels. Keep a keen eye on these deals, and you can significantly reduce travel expenses and plan your trip more efficiently. During the sales, travel portals often offer exclusive discounts tied to specific banks or release flash sales. That is also a great way to maximize your savings on travel. Many Indians are also turning to <keyword id="23343125" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Cashback-Platforms" source="keywords">cashback platforms</keyword> to maximize their savings on travel bookings. According to reports, the travel sector sees an average cashback rate of 8%, the highest of all sectors. Further clubbed with credit cards you save a lot more on your hotels &amp; flights. No wonder, travel credit cards emerged as the frontrunners, experiencing a remarkable 27% YoY growth in 2023. "For those planning a festive season getaway, combining multiple offers can lead to substantial savings, making your dream destination more affordable”, continues Bhargava So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next travel destination now. With smart investments and budgeting, it might happen for you, sooner than you think!

World Tourism Day: Here's where India is travelling to, and how you too, can join the bandwagon

New York [US], May 21 (ANI): International tourist arrivals and the <keyword id="2173225" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="travel-and-tourism" source="Orion">travel and tourism</keyword> sector's contribution to <keyword id="572312" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-GDP" source="Orion">global GDP</keyword> are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels this year, driven by the complete lifting of COVID-19-related <keyword id="19916662" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel" source="keywords">travel</keyword> restrictions and strong pent-up demand, as per the new <keyword id="20020435" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Economic-Forum" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="World Economic Forum" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="World Economic Forum">World Economic Forum</keyword> travel and <keyword id="19997361" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism" source="keywords">tourism</keyword> study, released on Tuesday. Topping the 2024 list of economies are the US, Spain, Japan, France and Australia. The Middle East had the highest recovery rates in international tourist arrivals - 20 per cent above the 2019 level, while Europe, Africa and the US all showed a strong recovery of around 90 per cent in 2023. <keyword id="21745194" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel-and-Tourism-Development-Index-2024" source="Orion">Travel and Tourism Development Index 2024</keyword> (TTDI), a biennial report published in collaboration with the University of Surrey, analysed the travel and tourism sectors of 119 countries around a range of factors and policies. "This year marks a turning point for the travel and tourism sector, which we know has the capacity to unlock growth and serve communities through economic and social transformation," said Francisco Betti, Head of the Global Industries team at the World Economic Forum. "The report offers a forward-looking window into the current and future state of travel and tourism for leaders to navigate the latest trends in this complex sector and sustainably unlock its potential for communities and countries across the world." The <keyword id="840423" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-tourism" source="Orion">global tourism</keyword> industry is expected to recover from the lows of the COVID-19 pandemic and surpass the levels seen before the crisis. As per the report, this is largely being driven by a significant increase in demand worldwide, which has coincided with more available flights, better international openness, and increased interest and investment in natural and cultural attractions. However, the report painted that the global recovery has been mixed. While 71 of the 119 ranked economies increased their index scores since 2019. Although the sector has moved past the shock of the global health crisis, it continues to deal with other external challenges, from growing macroeconomic, geopolitical and environmental risks, to increased scrutiny of its sustainability practices. In addition, labour shortages are ongoing, and air route capacity, capital investment, productivity and other sector supply factors have not kept up with the increase in demand. This imbalance, worsened by global inflation, has increased prices and service issues. Out of the top 30 index scorers in 2024, 26 are high-income economies, 19 are based in Europe, seven are in Asia-Pacific, three are in the Americas and one (the United Arab Emirates) is in the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA). The top 10 countries in the 2024 edition are the United States, Spain, Japan, France, Australia, Germany, the United Kingdom, China, Italy and Switzerland. The results highlight that high-income economies generally continue to have more favourable conditions for travel and tourism development. This is helped by conducive business environments, dynamic labour markets, open travel policies, strong transport and tourism infrastructure, and well-developed natural, cultural and non-leisure attractions. "It's essential to bridge the divide between differing economies' ability to build a strong environment for their travel and tourism sector to thrive," said Iis Tussyadiah, Professor and Head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management at the University of Surrey. "The sector has big potential to foster prosperity and mitigate global risks, but that potential can only be fully realized through a strategic and inclusive approach." If managed strategically, the travel and tourism sector - which has historically represented 10 per cent of global GDP and employment - has the potential to emerge as a key contributor to growth, it said. (ANI)

Worldwide tourism and its contribution to global GDP to return to pre-COVID levels this year: WEF study

Our <keyword id="19961438" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="passport" source="keywords">passport</keyword> is our identification in a foreign destination, and that particular piece of document is not equal in power across geographies. Every country’s passport carries a different weight, and the more countries value your passport, the more powerful does it get. <keyword id="6559639" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Henley-Passport-Index" source="Orion">Henley Passport Index</keyword> recently released the list of the world's <keyword id="8011256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="most-powerful-passports" source="Orion">most powerful passports</keyword> for 2024. To no one’s surprise, <keyword id="19895045" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Singapore" source="keywords">Singapore</keyword> ranks number 1 in the list as a Singaporean passport can grant you visa-free access to 195 destinations in the world. Visa-free access implies that your passport can allow you to travel to foreign destinations without any pre-approved visa or entry permits. India has also improved its rank from the 2023 index, where it was ranked 84th. This year, India ranks 82nd, along with Senegal and Tajikistan, with visa-free access to 58 countries. The ranking is based on data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which claims to have the most complete and accurate travel information available worldwide Here’s the list of the most powerful passports in 2024 till 10th ranks by the Henley Passport Index: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rank </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Countries </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#ffffff;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Visa-free Access </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Singapore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">195 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">France, Germany, Italy, Japan Spain </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">192 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, Sweden </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">191 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">190 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Australia, Portugal </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">189 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Greece, Poland </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">188 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Canada, Czechia, Hungary, Malta </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">187 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">8 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">United States </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">186 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Estonia, Lithuania, United Arab Emirates </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">185 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">10 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Iceland, Slovenia, Latvia, Slovakia </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">182 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#f4cccc;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">82 </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#f4cccc;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">India, Senegal, Tajikistan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;background-color:#f4cccc;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">58 </td></tr></tbody></table> France, Italy, Germany, Spain, and Japan are tied for second place, letting passport holders visit 192 countries without needing a visa. In third place are Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden, which all offer visa-free access to 191 destinations. <div type="Article" hostid="261" msid="110879036" title="Luxury Escapes: Top international destinations for Indian travellers in 2024" mstype="2" mssubtype="0"></div>If we talk about India’s neighbouring countries, China is ranked 59th, granting visa-free access to 85 countries. Afghanistan is at the bottom of the list at 103rd, giving its citizens visa-free access to just 26 countries. Pakistan is ranked 100th, providing passport holders access to 33 countries. Indian citizens can travel to 58 countries without a visa, including popular places like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. For the past 19 years, the Henley Passport Index has been tracking passport freedoms in 227 countries and territories. It is a widely used online tool that shows and ranks the world's passports. The index is updated throughout the year whenever there are changes in visa policies. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/travel/international/webstories/7-countries-offering-visa-on-arrival-to-indians-perfect-for-summer-vacation/slidelist/108940120.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">7 Countries offering visa on arrival to Indians perfect for summer vacation</a>

World’s most powerful passport: Singapore reigns supreme with 195 visa-free destinations! Here’s where India ranks

<ul><li>A survey by travel agency Agoda found wellness to be one of the top three motivations for Indians to travel in 2023. </li><li><keyword id="2808667" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="oyo" source="Orion">OYO</keyword> and EaseMyTrip shared that Gen Zs and millennials are pursuing spiritual pursuits, including trips to religious destinations. </li><li><keyword id="6357203" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="varanasi" source="Orion">Varanasi</keyword>, <keyword id="48458" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Tirupati" source="Orion">Tirupati</keyword> and <keyword id="4903" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Puri" source="Orion">Puri</keyword> were some of the favoured destinations as per data shared by four different travel organisations.</li></ul>The pandemic turned the world digital but also led to multifold physical and mental health issues. Consequently, digital detox and regeneration have become <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/travel-trends-in-2023-digital-detox-regenerative-travel-and-inner-peace/articleshow/96281360.cms">increasingly</a> popular. In India, this has translated into an increased interest in spiritual and wellness tourism, including trips to religious destinations, according to travel agencies. And this interest has expanded to include GenZs and millennials. Travel agency Agoda conducted a survey and found wellness to be one of the top three motivations for Indians to travel in 2023. The survey was conducted with 10,000 travellers from across 12 countries, including India. As per Agoda, “Many (people) wish to embark on trips to recharge themselves, mentally and physically, with wellness contributing to the number two spot in the ‘reasons to travel’ ranking of Agoda’s Travel Trend survey. Countries with high inclination include India (20%), South Korea (24%), Singapore (25%) and Thailand (29%).” <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Spiritual tourism no longer restricted to senior citizens" comment="subhead2" text="Spiritual tourism no longer restricted to senior citizens">Spiritual tourism no longer restricted to senior citizens</cmsannotation> For the longest time, religious destinations were considered to be low on the travel bucket list — especially for GenZs and millennials, but that appears to have changed. “With the need for spiritual connect taking priority, millennials and GenZs are setting new trends for the industry. With every passing day, spiritual and self-care travel are catching pace, and the demand is growing,” said OYO in its Cultural Travel 2022 Roundup Report. As per the travel agency EaseMyTrip, there has been a 60% increase from 2019 in people in general are opting for holy destinations or spiritual or wellness tour packages. And, women aged between 30-35 are leading the search. “We’ve observed a sharp surge of 60% in the number of tourists opting for spiritual and wellness retreat packages as compared with pre-Covid. These are closely linked with religious pilgrimages and the various festivals prevalent across the subcontinent,” said Rikant Pittie, co-founder, EaseMyTrip. “More than ever, travellers are looking within, and often they are seen clubbing this journey within - with a trip to wellness or a spiritual retreat. Tending towards slow and spiritual travel formats, travellers opt for wellness or therapeutic retreats that allow them to disconnect and rejuvenate from their busy schedules,” said a spokesperson for MakeMyTrip. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Top favourite destinations" comment="subhead2" text="Top favourite destinations">Top favourite destinations</cmsannotation> In light of the rising interest in spiritual destinations, certain places are definitely enjoying more interest than others. Varanasi, Tirupati and Puri were among the top destinations as per data shared by four travel organisations — Ixigo, EaseMyTrip, OYO and Kayak. “Cultural destinations like Varanasi saw more than 50% rise in bookings for travel last year on our train apps. Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh witnessed one of the highest comebacks and was the most-searched spiritual hub in 2022 recording a 200% increase in train search queries,” shared Rajnish Kumar, co-founder, Ixigo. The increased interest in these destinations is also boosted by pent-up demand for travel and the availability of better facilities like hotels and good connectivity to reach the destination, said OYO in a report that was released in December 2022. Rishikesh, famous among Indians and foreigners alike, is known for its ashrams and adventure sports like river rafting. At the same, it’s home to India’s premium hotels, like Ananda wellness resort and Taj Rishikesh. Similarly, popular religious destinations like Tirupati and Puri offer luxury accommodations — Marasa Sarovar in Tirupati or the Mayfair Heritage in Puri. Ixigo and OYO also listed Mathura, Mahabaleshwar and Madurai as emerging spiritual tourism destinations in India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/india-is-going-to-be-a-huge-paid-market-spotify-india/articleshow/98442816.cms">India is going to be a huge paid market: Akshat Harbola, head of strategy, Spotify India</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/wedding-bells-ring-in-16-rise-in-february-auto-sales-2-wheeler-sales-yet-to-hit-pre-pandemic-levels-fada/articleshow/98443213.cms">Wedding bells ring in 16% rise in February auto sales, 2 wheeler sales yet to hit pre-pandemic levels: FADA</a>

Gen Zs & Millennials aid spiritual & wellness-driven tourism recovery in India

<ul><li><keyword id="6367391" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="domestic-travel" source="Orion">Domestic travel</keyword> is expected to be a growth driver for the Indian hospitality and tourism industry.</li><li>International <keyword id="34619" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel-industry" source="Orion">travel industry</keyword> may still have to wait a little longer for travel to grow at the same rate.</li><li>The credit rating agency emphasized that the slow recovery in international travel could be a silver lining for domestic industry.</li></ul>The cost of everything has been increasing – including the cost of travel – but that is not stopping lockdown-affected Indians as they head on to ‘<keyword id="10039138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="revenge-tourism" source="Orion">revenge tourism</keyword>’. The biggest benefactor of this is the sector that has been hit the hardest since the pandemic – hospitality. While the more lucrative international travel is yet to pick up, domestic travel is expected to be a growth driver for the Indian hospitality and tourism industry, according to credit rating agency CARE Ratings. The sector which has been in retrenchment mode for the last two years has seen a ‘re-alignment of cost structures’ by industry players. This forms a strong base for the profitability of the hospitality sector in the coming months. “FY22 has been a promising year for the sector wherein the revival in the occupancy and RevPAR has led to green shoots for the industry players. The decline in Covid cases, resumption of international flights from March 2022, and strong leisure and wedding demand are the positive factors that should lead to growth in occupancy and ARRs in FY23,” the CARE report said. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="International travels likely to recover in next two years" comment="subhead" text="International travels likely to recover in next two years">International travels likely to recover in next two years</cmsannotation> Care Ratings is betting on international travel demand to recover gradually through FY23 till the end of FY24. Notably, 25 million tourists travel from India to international destinations annually. The credit rating agency — in a report published in September 2022 — emphasized that the slow recovery in international travel could be a silver lining for domestic industry. “For FY23, CareEdge estimates the majority of its portfolio of hotel companies to report improved performance, largely restored to pre-Covid levels. Domestic tourism is expected to be the key growth driver, with international travel slowly gaining momentum, specifically post resumption of international flights,” the report added. The India tourism and hospitality segment has been witnessing an uptick post relaxation of the lockdown since June 2021 and the decline in Covid-19 infections. The industry did witness a sudden surge in bookings in May 2021 as customers explored the option for staycation and workcation. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Challenges still remain" comment="subhead" text="Challenges still remain">Challenges still remain</cmsannotation> A recent Travel &amp; Tourism Development Index by the World Economic Forum (WEF) noted that despite the positive trends, the travel and tourism sector is still facing many hurdles with its recovery. “As the world emerges from the pandemic, economies must invest in building a strong and resilient environment to deliver the travel and tourism experience and services for many decades to come,” Lauren Uppink, Head of Aviation, Travel and Tourism at the World Economic Forum. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/airtel-launches-its-first-multiplex-but-in-the-metaverse/articleshow/92200692.cms">Airtel launches its first multiplex, but in the metaverse</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/adani-sells-a-fourth-of-its-green-hydrogen-business-to-frances-totalenergies/articleshow/92197541.cms">Adani sells a fourth of its green hydrogen business to France’s TotalEnergies</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/burger-king-dominos-kfc-to-see-high-growth-even-as-consumer-staples-suffer/articleshow/92196523.cms">Burger King, Domino's &amp; KFC to see high growth even as consumer staples suffer</a>

Domestic travel, fuelled by revenge tourism, aids growth in hospitality sector

<ul><li>As per The Henley Passport Index, India is up seven positions from 90th in October 2021 to 83rd in January 2022.</li><li>The country now has access to two more countries without a prior visa as compared to last year.</li><li>These are the <keyword id="8572074" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="most-powerful-passports-in-the-world" source="Orion">most powerful passports in the world</keyword>.</li></ul>India is 83rd on The Henley Passport Index, up seven positions since October 2021. The country now has access to 60 countries without a prior visa. The ranking is based on International Air Transport Authority (IATA) data on how easy it is for citizens from different countries to move around. These are the <keyword id="8011256" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="most-powerful-passports" source="Orion">most powerful passports</keyword> in the world — 1. Japan and Singapore Both Japan and Singapore secured the first rank again in the list. The passport holders from these countries can travel visa free to 192 countries. 2. Germany and South Korea Grabbing the second spot yet again, Germany and South Korea passport holders can travel to 190 countries without a prior visa. 3. Finland, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain These countries combinely share the third rank of the list. Citizens of these countries can travel visa-free to 189 countries. 4. Austria, Denmark, France and Netherlands France and Netherlands climb up by one spot to join Austria and Denmark at number 4, with access to 188 countries without a prior visa. 5. Ireland and Portugal Swedish and Portuguese can travel to 187 countries without any prior visa. 6. Belgium, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland, United Kingdom and United States The sixth rank is shared by these six countries in the list. Citizens of these countries can travel to 186 countries without any prior visa. 7. Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Greece and Malta Australia and Canada climb one position joining the countries at the seventh position. People of these five countries can travel to 185 countries without a prior visa. 8. Hungary and Poland Hungary climbs two positions, whereas Poland rises by three spots to seventh rank. People from these two countries have access to 184 countries without a prior visa. 9. Lithuania and Slovakia Citizens of Lithuania and Slovakia have the right to travel to 182 countries without a prior visa. 10. Estonia, Latvia and Slovenia Estonia, Latvia and Slovakia shared the tenth ranking in the list of powerful passport countries. Passport holders of these countries can enjoy no visa travel to 181 countries. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/booster-doses-of-current-vaccines-may-not-be-enough/articleshow/88845700.cms">Booster doses of current vaccines may not be enough to fight emerging COVID-19 variants, says WHO</a>

RANKED: The most powerful passports in the world

<ul class="summary-list"><li><keyword id="6372909" type="LOCATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="turkey">Turkey</keyword> is seeing a massive surge in <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> cases and is tightening its lockdown.</li><li>Turkey does not require tourists to quarantine or show negative test results, however. They can roam <keyword id="41613" type="COMPANY" weightage="60" keywordseo="istanbul">Istanbul</keyword>, the country's largest city, freely.</li><li>Insider spoke to a few locals about the partial lockdown.</li><li>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-during-covid19.html">warns that</a> "<keyword id="6354692" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="100" keywordseo="Travel">travel</keyword> increases your chance of getting and spreading COVID-19."</li></ul>Amid a spike in the number of <a href="https://www.insider.com/category/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> cases across Turkey, Istanbul instituted a lockdown, following in the footsteps of many other European countries grappling with another wave.However, the strict lockdown is in effect on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/turkey-toughens-curfew-measures-amid-coronavirus-surge-2020-11">weekends only</a>.It also doesn't apply to tourists.While Istanbul locals were forced to stay inside between 9 p.m. Friday and 5 a.m. Monday, international tourists were able to freely walk around the city.<div type="image" title="A police officer patrols amongst tourists at the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during a national weekend coronavirus lockdown on December 06, 2020, in Istanbul, Turke" height="682" width="910" msid="79731124" hostid="261"></div><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/travel/istanbul-tourists-curfew.html">The New York Times reports</a> that most museums stayed open for visitors. Hotel restaurants were allowed to remain open, but <a href="https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/#:~:text=Country%2DSpecific%20Information%3A,COVID%2D19%20within%20its%20borders.&amp;text=Foreigners%20in%20the%20country%20temporarily,restrictions%20and%20will%20be%20open.pen.">only to hotel guests</a>.The lockdown was monitored by police, according to the New York Times, who checked IDs to make sure locals, besides essential workers, stayed home. Anyone found breaking the lockdown was fined around 3,150 Turkish lira, or the equivalent of $400 at today's conversion rates.<h2>Turkey is seeing a massive surge in coronavirus cases, but tourists remain undeterred</h2><div type="image" title="Tourists take a selfie in front of the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during a national weekend coronavirus lockdown on December 06, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey. Amid surging coronavirus figures, Turkey has reimposed weekday curfews and full weekend lockdowns with the exception of tourists to curb the spread of the virus" height="3214" width="4285" msid="79731127" hostid="261"></div><a href="https://www.instagram.com/hahaprilfool/">April</a>, a 27-year-old financial analyst, spent three days in Istanbul on her way home to Singapore. She previously spent some time in London and Finland, where her boyfriend lives.Direct flights between Istanbul and Singapore and no quarantine or testing requirements made this an easy layover, though she said she had booked it long before the surging coronavirus cases."At the beginning, I was a little fearful, but I decided that I would probably regret not taking this opportunity when it is available to me, hence I decided to just go for it," she told Insider, adding that she took every available precaution to stay safe.She added that since so much was closed during the lockdown, she didn't feel like tourists really enjoyed many special advantages. She also said that in her experience, most locals did not seem resentful of tourists, and seemed supportive of the government's actions.A few locals Insider spoke to did say it was important to keep the struggling <keyword id="20048" type="CITY" weightage="60" keywordseo="tourism">tourism</keyword> sector afloat: <a href="https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact">according to the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council</a>, 9.4% of Turkey's total employment is tourism-related. "The streets were quite empty and it could be a little scary to be out alone at night, especially as a solo female traveler," she said of the weekend lockdown, but added that the locals were friendly and she enjoyed visiting the Hagia Sophia with what she assumed was only a fraction of the usual crowds.She advised tourists to carry their passports with them, because of the frequent checkpoints she encountered."As to whether my decision is worth it, I personally believe that life is all about weighing the risks and making the appropriate choices. [...] While it seems to many that I have taken unnecessary risk during such a period, I believe that my experiences have been worth it," she said.Alexandré Worthington, a 28-year-old realtor from Gainesville, Florida, chose Istanbul because it's <a href="https://www.insider.com/countries-open-to-american-tourists-for-travel-2020-6">one of few destinations that allow Americans</a> to enter and doesn't require a quarantine.He told Insider he had an amazing time, as everything during the week was open and business as usual (besides restaurants, which are take-out only). On the weekend, during the lockdown, he said the streets were a lot less busy, though "there was still a lot of movement," and that while most local shops and restaurants were closed many "tourist type" venues were still open, though he said that police wouldn't allow locals in."Honestly, it doesn't make sense," he said of the partial lockdown. "Especially in my case, I had a guide and he couldn't take me to many parts of the city. I had to go on my own because of it.""Locals were upset," he added, "but can you blame them? They shouldn't be under lockdown if the tourist aren't."<h2>The number of coronavirus-related deaths in Turkey has doubled in the last three weeks</h2><h2><div type="image" title="Tourists visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during a national weekend coronavirus lockdown on December 06, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey" height="682" width="910" msid="79731129" hostid="261"></div></h2><a href="https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html">According to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center</a>, at the time of writing, Turkey saw over 1.8 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus and over 16,400 deaths. December saw a record number of new cases, with over 30 times the average number of daily reported cases than in previous months. However, a few local sources told Insider that they believed that the government purposefully misrepresented the number of cases for months, making the situation look better than it really was. It's not a new theory - as <a href="https://apnews.com/article/virus-outbreak-health-media-turkey-social-media-146084425135560e5e3f6c8961391cc8">the AP reports</a>, Turkey's government has been accused by the Turkish Medical Association of underreporting cases by only counting those positive cases that displayed symptoms, instead of all positive cases. <a href="https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/turkey/">Per Reuters</a>, Turkey's Health Ministry began reporting asymptomatic cases as well as symptomatic cases on November 25.The country is currently <a href="https://graphics.reuters.com/world-coronavirus-tracker-and-maps/countries-and-territories/turkey/">reporting over 30,000 new infections a day,</a> and the number of deaths from the coronavirus has more than doubled in the last three weeks.<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/health-coronavirus-turkey/turkey-in-weekend-lockdown-with-coronavirus-cases-at-record-highs-idUSKBN28F0FF">According to the AP</a>, Turkey now ranks fourth in the world in terms of the number of new cases, behind much larger countries like the United States, India, and Brazil.Turkey reopened its borders to visitors - including US citizens - back in June. While <a href="https://tr.usembassy.gov/covid-19-information-2/#:~:text=Country%2DSpecific%20Information%3A,COVID%2D19%20within%20its%20borders.&amp;text=Foreigners%20in%20the%20country%20temporarily,restrictions%20and%20will%20be%20open.pen.">the US Embassy and Consulates in Turkey said</a> that while tourists are checked for symptoms on arrival, and must self-isolate if suspected of having COVID-19, Turkey does not require negative coronavirus test results, nor does it make quarantine mandatory.<h2>Experts say that a lockdown for only part of the population for only part of the week cannot be effective</h2><div type="image" title="Tourists visit the Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque during a national weekend coronavirus lockdown on December 06, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey" height="683" width="910" msid="79731131" hostid="261"></div>"Return to lockdown policies, even partial, is an indication that a country did not invest in the public health infrastructure needed to keep cases to a manageable level," Dr. Amesh Adalja, senior scholar with a focus on emerging infectious diseases at the Johns Hopkins University Center for Health Security, told Insider."I suspect that these measures will have only a marginal impact on cases and would favor an approach that was targeted to how people are getting infected there," he said of Istanbul's partial, locals-only lockdown.Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer and professor of medicine in the division of infectious diseases at the University of Michigan, told Insider he suspects the current lockdown policies are an attempt to keep Turkey's tourism industry afloat. However, he pointed out that tourists "do not spend time in a vacuum.""Cases have been surging in Turkey for the past few weeks so the public health officials will need to keep a close eye on case counts and ensure good adherence to general mitigation, including by tourists," he told Insider. <h2>Locals see the need for keeping the tourism sector afloat, but don't think a partial lockdown is the answer</h2><div type="image" title="ISTANBUL, TURKEY - DECEMBER 06: A man takes a selfie in front of the Galata Tower during a national weekend coronavirus lockdown on December 06, 2020, in Istanbul, Turkey. Amid surging coronavirus figures, Turkey has reimposed weekday curfews and full weekend lockdowns with the exception of tourists to curb the spread of the virus." height="682" width="910" msid="79731132" hostid="261"></div><a href="https://www.ktb.gov.tr/EN-256546/monthly-border-bulletin-october-2020-is-published.html">Data from Turkey's Ministry of Culture and Tourism</a> shows that the number of foreign visitors to Turkey shrunk by over 72% between January and October 2020, compared to the same period in 2019.According to the World Travel &amp; Tourism Council's <a href="https://wttc.org/Research/Economic-Impact">annual Economic Impact Report</a>, tourism in 2019 accounted for 9.4% of Turkey's workforce, and 11.3% of its economy. <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/08/travel/istanbul-tourists-curfew.html">The New York Times estimates</a> that Turkey's tourism revenue in 2020 will be closer to $11 billion, a drop of $24 billion year-over-year.Aykut has been a travel guide in Istanbul for 13 years. As much as he appreciates the government's attempt at keeping the tourism economy going, he thinks it's ill-advised. "People are not happy," he told Insider. "They think that there should be a lockdown for everyone."He says that most tourists recently have been from Russia and Ukraine, where there used to be more Europeans and Americans. These tourists, according to him, are not spending much money when in town because they've made the most of cheap hotel and flight packages. Further, most places aren't open during the lockdown, so even if they wanted to spend money, they couldn't."They risk their life because it's cheap. And people are not making money from these tourists," he said.Since Turkey doesn't ask tourists to provide negative coronavirus test results, and with most hospitals at capacity, he worries about these tourists straining already limited resources."People are not happy that the tourists are coming here because they're bringing lots more cases," he said, adding that Turkey is hurting economically, and desperately needs the income."So the government doesn't care about cases. They just want people to just come here and spend some money," he said. Semih, another local guide of 12 years, echoes this. "The government actually doesn't care about COVID-19. They just want more money," he told Insider, adding that the more Turkey struggles financially the more reckless the government is getting.He said that the mostly Russian and Eastern European tourists visiting Istanbul do it because they don't really have many other options amid travel bans. However, he has observed that many of them refuse to wear masks and comply with local coronavirus precautions, which is a huge problem. In Russia, mask requirements and curfews were only <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-issues-national-mask-mandate-covid-19-not-us-2020-10">recently instituted</a>.He said that the tourists all seem to be very pleased with having attractions to themselves.Salih Batkin, a local tour guide for 15 years, also told Insider that the weekend lockdown wasn't a great solution, but said she thinks it's better than doing nothing. She also said it's important to try and keep the struggling tourism sector afloat.Still, she does admit that the partial lockdown makes her feel unsafe since there's potential for people who have the virus to continue walking the streets and spreading it."There has to be an absolute lockdown without any exceptions," Semih said. "It has to include everyone."

Tourists can wander Istanbul freely while locals are on lockdown and Turkish residents are furious

Travel and Tourism is an important sector as it helps in development of various sectors including trade, employment, entrepreneurship, etc. 
Domestic and foreign tourism gives fillip to country’s GDP and also opens up investment options. 
 
The World Travel &amp; Tourism Council (WTTC), in its 2015 Annual Economic Reports that cover 184 countries and 25 regions of the world, stated that travel &amp; tourism generated US$7.6 trillion (10% of global GDP) and 277 million jobs (1 in 11 jobs) for the global economy in 2014. 
 
In India, the direct contribution of travel and tourism to GDP was Rs 2,478.2 billion (2.2% of total GDP) in 2014, and is forecast to rise by 7.6% in 2015, and to rise by 7.2% pa, from 2015-2025, to Rs 5,339.2bn (2.5% of total GDP) in 2025. 
 
When we compare it to China, the two South Asian nations are neck-and-neck in many areas but India still has a long way to dominate the global scenario. 
 
Here’s a look: 
 
(Cover image: Indiatimes)

Here’s how India and China fare in World Tourism rankings!

Last year, over 4.45 lakh tourists arrived in India through the online e-visa scheme, recording a growth in issuances of these visas at 1040.4%. Out of these 4.45 lakh tourists, the maximum tourists came from the UK, followed by the United States and Russia. 
 
Even though the growth figures look promising, this is still a small number as compared to the total number of foreign tourists coming to India, which means that only a fraction of foreign tourists make use of these online facilities. For example, in 2015 alone, India attracted about 70 lakh tourists in 2015, which was at a growth of 4.5%, out of which only 4.45 lakh came through online visas. 
 
This facility was started by tourism ministry in November 2014. This, however, has helped India in climbing up the ladder of the Tourism and Travel Competitive Index as per the World Economic Forum report. From 65th rank, we have now moved to the 52nd rank. 
 
The facility for e-visas, which was started with 40 countries, has now been extended to 113 countries, and the next step on the radar is tourism ministry’s plan to extend it for medical visas. 
 
<a href="http://www.sachtimes.com/en/images/1432016038e-visa.jpg">Image source</a>

E-visas hit the right chord; issuance sees a growth of over a 1000%

Smartphones have tangibly changed the way world operated before their arrival. Earlier, when the market operated through <keyword id="505141" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="internet-connection">Internet connection</keyword> on personal computers, things were a tad bit slow since that category came from a different class altogether. But today, things are available at a cursory glance, and literally at fingertips. All the best things are happening on the Internet, and guess what they are ensuring—is that consumer is truly the king of the market! 
 
An average Indian earlier travelled within the confines of his country, and those travels were mostly to relatives or to places of religious/spiritual importance. But today, an average Indian is well-travelled, adequately informed about different cultures and has a huge appetite for adventure tourism; no matter what it involves. 
 A wary traveler today has transformed into an informed traveler, thanks to the Internet. Potential of online <keyword id="878873" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="travel-market">travel market</keyword> is the highest in India, which has broken all barriers, and will continue with its winning spree for more time to come. 
 Get this. <keyword id="6354692" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Travel">Travel</keyword> market comprises a total of 71% of e-commerce in India. That means this is the decisive share of market that would change the rules of e-commerce game and its success in the coming days. It is important to note that this business has grown at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 32% between the years 2009 and 2013. Online travel sales that were studied from the beginning of this decade, projected that the sector would grow at a rate of 30% in India. Among all other Asian countries, India is on top of the list of nations that would open its doors to travel and <keyword id="20048" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="tourism">tourism</keyword> in the online segment. 
 
This is followed by South Korea, with growth projection at 19.8%, and Brazil at 18.2% and China ranking fourth at 14.1%. 
Though, India is much behind US and China in terms of numbers, the increased Internet penetration and number of smartphone users on the rise hold some hope for the days to come. 
 
Some of the popular names such as Makemytrip.com, Cleartrip.com, Yatra.com hold more than 85% of the total market share in the sector. 
 
What drove this growth at a lightning speed that has managed to get the domestic and international travel market into its kitty? Some of the predictable and understandable aspects are increased penetration of computers, smartphones and other gadgets that aid the use of technology/Internet. Perhaps, it would be interesting to note that India, of all the other third world countries—despite its rising population, inflation and other challenges—has remained steadfast on economy with no tangible threat. 
 
The most trusted government agencies such as bus and railways have also been riding on this wave, having set up user-friendly online platforms that can help people with both information and travel plans. Aviation industry, despite being in the red for the last few years, is still witnessing a great time with economy holding up. 
 
Private players are leveraging on the trend that indicates high disposable income, reduced age of average travelers, and adventure tourism that is gradually catching up against the conventional travel patterns. 
 
Though medical tourism cannot be considered as a significant part of the travel segment, it does contribute well into the travel and tourism revenues generated by the sector. In fact, it brings two kinds of returns that are significant and substantial since people travelling in this category are usually from upper middle class. 
 
Only if the travel and tourism segment pays adequate attention towards nullifying commission costs on airlines, introduce better perks and tangible benefits, while cutting down on high operating costs, the segment will turn into a huge revenue generating arm for the government’s exchequer. 
 
Sports tourism is another off-shoot of tourism market that is beginning to catch fancy of the Indian middle class. However, as a note of caution, it is important to remember that the sector right now, that is exclusive for online presence of travel and tourism, is highly fragmented and distributed unevenly in only urban areas. 
 
If the technology can get into tier-II cities and get down further into untapped markets, it can sure reap heavy benefits from sections of the society that have remained untouched so far. 
 
Image: aboutourism.wordpress.com

You Searched For "India travel tourism index rank" and got 11 results

India rises to rank 39th on WEF's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2024, becomes highest ranked South Asian nation

PTI

World Tourism Day: Here's where India is travelling to, and how you too, can join the bandwagon

Ira Alok Puranik

Worldwide tourism and its contribution to global GDP to return to pre-COVID levels this year: WEF study

ANI

World’s most powerful passport: Singapore reigns supreme with 195 visa-free destinations! Here’s where India ranks

Ayush Mehrotra

Gen Zs & Millennials aid spiritual & wellness-driven tourism recovery in India

Srishti Magan

Domestic travel, fuelled by revenge tourism, aids growth in hospitality sector

Kritti Bhalla

RANKED: The most powerful passports in the world

Vaamanaa Sethi

Tourists can wander Istanbul freely while locals are on lockdown and Turkish residents are furious

Sophie-Claire Hoeller

Here’s how India and China fare in World Tourism rankings!

Akanksha Jain

E-visas hit the right chord; issuance sees a growth of over a 1000%

BI India Bureau

Online Travel Dominates Tourism Market In India

Preetam Kaushik

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