Vietnam will be one of the most favorite destinations for Indian tourists. Photo: VIETNAMPLUS
Before the pandemic, in 2019, approximately 5.3 million Indian tourists visited the 10 ASEAN countries, fewer than the 32.2 million Chinese tourists. However, according to a report by McKinsey – a global management consulting firm – published in November 2023, India's outbound tourism is projected to increase from 13 million in 2022 to over 80 million in 2040.
According to MakeMyTrip's flight booking data analysis, the top international destinations for Indian tourists during the 2024 New Year period are the UAE, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Maldives, the USA, Nepal, the UK, Canada, and Vietnam. Specifically, according to The Times of India , Vietnam will be one of the most popular destinations for Indian tourists during this year's holiday season. Many travel companies in Mangaluru, Karnataka (India), have reported an increase in demand for travel to Vietnam during the upcoming holiday, a rare occurrence in a city that previously lacked direct air connections to Vietnam.
Meanwhile, according to Globe Travels' assessment, young people in India still prefer Thailand, Malaysia, Dubai, and Singapore, while older travelers are generally more familiar with Vietnam and are more proactive in researching and wishing to visit it. Another report by MakeMyTrip indicates that favorite destinations for Indian tourists this holiday season include Vietnam, Hong Kong (China), and Istanbul (Türkiye), in addition to traditional destinations such as Thailand, Dubai, Singapore, and Bali.
The number of Indian tourists visiting Vietnam in the first 11 months of 2023 reached 352,226, double the number in the same period of 2019. An Indian tourist shared with The Times of India that, due to high demand, airline tickets to Vietnam in December 2023 were almost sold out, and this tourist found it very difficult to book hotel rooms for their trip to Vietnam.
According to Reuters , from airlines like IndiGo and Thai Airways to large hotel chains with thousands of rooms, Southeast Asian travel companies are pinning their hopes on the increasingly affluent Indian middle class. Aviation analyst Brendan Sobie commented: “Clearly, Southeast Asia is very well-positioned for growth, and that will certainly be boosted by Indian tourists.”
Over the past decade, Southeast Asia's tourism industry has largely thrived thanks to Chinese tourists. However, official data from four Southeast Asian countries shows a weak recovery, with Chinese tourist numbers in May falling by more than 60% compared to the same period in 2019. Analysts believe that the long-term increase in Indian tourists will readjust the capacity of airlines, hotels, and tour operators.
In addition, Southeast Asian countries are now opening their doors to Indian tourists. Malaysia has just implemented a 30-day visa-free entry policy for tourists from China and India. Thailand is waiving visa requirements for tourists from India and Taiwan (China) from November 2023 to May 2024 to attract more tourists during the peak season. Indonesia is also considering a similar policy for tourists from 20 countries…
Gary Bowerman, Director of Check in Asia and co-host of The South East Asia Travel Show travel podcast, said: “Many destinations in Southeast Asia are rolling out direct flights from India to meet the growing travel demand in the region. By 2030, India will be the fastest-growing domestic market in percentage terms for many Southeast Asian countries.”
“Consumption of goods and services, including leisure and relaxation, is projected to double by 2030. Coupled with a strong post-pandemic tourism recovery and growing international travel demand, this highlights India’s importance for tourism potential,” a report stated. At the same time, geographical proximity is a key factor in the destination choices of 70% of Indian travelers. They are pleased that it takes less than four hours to fly to the beautiful and attractive Southeast Asian countries.
Many experts say that airlines across Southeast Asia are also eager to tap into India's promising market. The relatively low cost of airfares from India to Southeast Asian countries has created an advantage. For example, compared to before the pandemic, airfares from India to Europe are now 40-60% higher, while fares from India to Asia have not increased significantly. “Southeast Asian countries have made concerted efforts to attract Indian tourists alongside Chinese tourists. Clearly, these countries will benefit greatly,” commented Rajeev Kohli, President of Euromic.
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