Indian outbound leisure travel is increasingly being shaped by geopolitics, with visa demand rising or falling in lockstep with diplomatic currents.
Indian outbound leisure travel is increasingly being shaped by geopolitics, with visa demand rising or falling in lockstep with diplomatic currents.
In the wake of recent events, most notably the increasing tensions between India-Pakistan, visa trends have begun to reflect more than just destination appeal or affordability. They now serve as a real-time pulse check of international relations. Indian travellers are clearly favouring countries that signal neutrality or friendship and turning away from those seen as politically misaligned.
The fallout from the India-Pakistan conflict was swift and visible. Turkiye and Azerbaijan, once popular with Indian tourists for their cultural heritage and competitive travel costs, saw an immediate drop in demand after publicly aligning with Pakistan during the escalation. Visa applications to both countries fell sharply as Indian travellers cancelled trips and diverted their plans elsewhere.
Despite a ceasefire, the chill in outbound interest toward these destinations remains. Travellers have shown little inclination to return, instead choosing to explore alternatives with clearer diplomatic distance from the conflict.
Other destinations have seen a marked rise in interest. With the summer travel season underway, a peak period for Indian outbound tourism, visa search volumes have surged for countries that have either remained neutral or have continued to strengthen ties with India.
Egypt and Morocco, with their historical sites and emerging visibility in Indian travel circuits, are gaining traction. Bali in Indonesia continues to be a preferred beach destination. Japan, Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates have also emerged as frontrunners, each seeing a notable increase in visa demand among Indian tourists.
This recalibration of travel choices underscores a broader truth: while affordability, accessibility and experience still matter, geopolitical alignment has become a powerful filter through which Indian travellers are making decisions. Countries that offer simple, efficient visa processes certainly have an edge. But more importantly, those that project diplomatic goodwill and political neutrality are winning the trust of Indian holidaymakers.
As travel rebounds post-conflict and summer bookings gain momentum, it's evident that visa demand is now intricately tied to the state of foreign relations. The destinations Indians are gravitating toward or avoiding speak volumes not only about personal preferences but also about an increasingly informed awareness of the global political climate.
For many travellers, the passport stamp has evolved into more than just a travel document. It now symbolises comfort, confidence and, at times, a quiet expression of solidarity. This shift brings both challenges and opportunities for the tourism industry.
What remains to be seen, however, is whether this geopolitical sensitivity will endure or fade with time. Travel habits, like public sentiment, can be surprisingly elastic.
A change in leadership, a well-placed tourism campaign or simply the passage of time might soften opinions and reopen doors currently closed. For now, the chill is real but whether it's a temporary freeze or a lasting realignment will ultimately depend on how both diplomacy and destination marketing evolve in the months to come.
Mohak Nahta is the founder and chief executive officer of Atlys.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of NDTV Profit or its editorial team.
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