Indian outbound travel
As India's outbound travel market gains momentum in the post-pandemic era, evolving traveller preferences and a renewed focus on experiential and purpose-led journeys are reshaping the industry. From a growing appetite for customised international travel to the resurgence of MICE and corporate movements, travel planning today is far more intentional than before. In this interview, Wilfred Selvaraj, Managing Director, LGT Business Connextions Limited, shares insights on how Indian travellers are redefining outbound experiences, why MICE travel is emerging as a strong growth driver, and how tour operators are adapting to meet the demands of a more discerning and experience-focused market.
1. Outbound travel from India has seen a sharp evolution post-pandemic. What key shifts in traveller preferences are you witnessing, both in terms of destinations and the kind of experiences Indian travellers are seeking today?
Post-pandemic, Indian outbound travellers are travelling with greater intent and clarity. There is a visible shift from high-volume sightseeing to well-paced, experience-oriented travel, where comfort, authenticity, and ease of execution matter as much as the destination itself. Travellers are showing stronger preference for destinations that offer a mix of culture, nature, and structured experiences, along with reliable connectivity and visa clarity. Overall, demand is moving towards customized itineraries and value-driven experiences, rather than standardised tour formats.
2. MICE travel is emerging as a major growth engine for the industry. From your vantage point, what's driving this resurgence, and how are Indian corporates rethinking incentive and conference travel?
The renewed momentum in MICE travel is driven by corporates recognising the importance of physical interaction, engagement, and alignment in a post-pandemic work environment. Indian corporates are increasingly viewing incentive travel and conferences as tools for performance motivation and relationship building, rather than discretionary spends. There is a clear focus on destinations that offer strong infrastructure, seamless logistics, and curated experiences that align with business objectives, especially for mid- and large-scale corporate groups.
3. We're seeing a clear move from volume-driven tourism to more curated, experiential travel. How is this changing the way tour operators design outbound and group travel offerings?
This shift has led tour operators to move away from generic, high-density itineraries towards more thoughtfully designed travel programs. Group and outbound travel today require better pacing, experiential elements, and flexibility within structured formats. The emphasis is on delivering consistency, quality, and relevance, ensuring travellers have meaningful experiences while maintaining operational discipline, particularly important for corporate and group travel.
4. With new international routes, relaxed visa regimes, and rising disposable incomes, how do you see India's outbound travel market shaping up over the next five years?
India's outbound travel market is expected to witness steady and sustainable growth over the medium to long term. Improved air connectivity, evolving visa frameworks, and rising disposable incomes, especially beyond metro markets, are expanding the outbound traveller base. According to the Ministry of Tourism, international departures from India reached approximately 8.39 million in just the July-September 2025 period alone, underscoring strong momentum. This sustained recovery is likely to continue through 2026, driven by a mix of traditional destinations and emerging markets, with increasing participation from Tier-2 cities and first-time international travellers.
5. Technology and personalisation are increasingly influencing travel decisions, how is your company enhancing traveller experience, especially in group and MICE segments?
Technology today supports better planning, coordination, and communication across the travel value chain. At LGT Business Connextions Limited, we use digital tools and structured processes to enhance planning accuracy, partner coordination, and traveller communication, particularly for group and MICE travel. At the same time, we continue to rely on experienced teams and strong destination partnerships, as the human element remains critical in delivering consistent outcomes for complex travel programs.
