Forex-and-travel firm Delphi – Ebix reported on 10 December that confirmed December flight bookings by Indian travellers are tracking 20–25 % higher year-on-year, with booking lead times extending to 23–25 days. Searches for adventure and cultural activities are up 24 %, signalling a shift from last-minute, hotel-centric trips to curated experiences.
Corporate angle: Higher leisure traffic can tighten seat supply on trunk routes, prompting companies to block seats earlier for December projects. Tax teams should also note that extended personal trips tagged onto business itineraries may complicate per-diem calculations.
![Indian Year-End Travel Bookings Jump 25 % as Holidaymakers Prioritise Experiences Over Hotels]()
For travellers juggling new routes and constantly changing entry rules, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Its India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers real-time visa requirement checks, application support and document pick-up, letting both holidaymakers and corporate bookers secure the right paperwork quickly so flights and hotels aren’t left idle.
Destination trends: Rajasthan and Kerala lead domestic growth (up 35 %), while bookings to Kashmir dipped 15 % amid winter-weather concerns. Internationally, Thailand and Indonesia remain top choices, boosted by recent visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for Indians.
Outlook: If the trend continues, Indian outbound tourism could surpass its 2019 peak by Q1 2026. Airlines such as Vistara and Akasa have already filed for 8 % extra capacity on international leisure routes during the Christmas–New Year window.
Corporate angle: Higher leisure traffic can tighten seat supply on trunk routes, prompting companies to block seats earlier for December projects. Tax teams should also note that extended personal trips tagged onto business itineraries may complicate per-diem calculations.
For travellers juggling new routes and constantly changing entry rules, VisaHQ can simplify the process. Its India portal (https://www.visahq.com/india/) offers real-time visa requirement checks, application support and document pick-up, letting both holidaymakers and corporate bookers secure the right paperwork quickly so flights and hotels aren’t left idle.
Destination trends: Rajasthan and Kerala lead domestic growth (up 35 %), while bookings to Kashmir dipped 15 % amid winter-weather concerns. Internationally, Thailand and Indonesia remain top choices, boosted by recent visa-free or visa-on-arrival policies for Indians.
Outlook: If the trend continues, Indian outbound tourism could surpass its 2019 peak by Q1 2026. Airlines such as Vistara and Akasa have already filed for 8 % extra capacity on international leisure routes during the Christmas–New Year window.
