Indian outbound travel demand remains strong this summer, but travellers are becoming far more practical about where they spend. Visa delays for Europe and rising travel costs are encouraging many to choose destinations that offer smoother entry processes and better value. Industry experts say travellers are now prioritising convenience, affordability and quicker confirmations over aspirational long-haul holidays and complicated itineraries.
By Janice Alyosius
Long visa queues, rising airfares and geopolitical uncertainty are beginning to reshape outbound travel trends for Summer 2026. While Indian appetite for international travel remains strong, travellers are increasingly choosing destinations with easier visa access, faster processing and lower travel costs over traditional long-haul favourites.
Industry experts say Schengen countries, the UK and the USA continue to witness strong demand, but appointment delays and stricter scrutiny are slowing conversions and forcing travellers to plan much earlier than before.
According to Imran Khan, Founder & CEO, Visawaale.Com (VWI GROUP), Schengen appointments remain the biggest concern this season, with waiting periods stretching between three and eight weeks across major metros. “There is still strong demand for Europe, Japan, South Korea and Australia, but appointment uncertainty is influencing destination choice. Travellers are increasingly opting for destinations with quicker visa approvals or visa-free access,” he said.
Khan added that Schengen application volumes from India have increased by nearly 15-20 per cent this season, while appointment delays have gone up by 15-30 per cent compared to last year. Rejection rates have also seen a slight rise of 2-4 per cent due to stricter scrutiny of financial documents and travel intent. “In some cases, conversion ratios have dropped by 10-15 per cent because delayed appointments are affecting confirmed travel plans,” he explained.
Travellers planning earlier
The trend is also changing how Indians are planning their holidays. Kunal Meghani, Co-Founder, GetExpressVisa, said travellers are no longer making spontaneous Europe bookings due to long waiting periods. “Appointment wait times for Schengen visas are now averaging 45 to 50 days. As a result, most travellers are planning their trips at least two to three months in advance,” he said.
Meghani pointed out that Indian outbound travel continues to surge despite operational challenges. International departures from India rose by 15 per cent in early 2026, driven largely by Gen Z and millennials who now view travel as a lifestyle priority rather than a luxury. Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest-growing destinations, witnessing a 70 per cent spike in Indian visitors, while Thailand and Malaysia have recorded a 45 per cent rise in Indian arrivals due to visa-free entry policies.
Shift towards safer destinations
Jalaj Shukla, Director, Travel Mudra Pvt Ltd, said geopolitical tensions and rising travel costs are significantly changing outbound travel behaviour, even though overall demand remains resilient. “Indian travellers are becoming far more cautious and practical in their decision-making. Instead of aspirational long-haul travel, we are seeing strong momentum towards safer, short-haul and visa-friendly destinations such as Vietnam, Japan and Kazakhstan,” he said.
He pointed out that higher airfares, fuel volatility and visa uncertainty are slowing conversions for Europe and other premium destinations. “Travellers are hesitant to block expensive itineraries before securing visas, especially for Schengen countries where appointment delays continue to remain unpredictable. This is directly impacting early confirmations and pushing travellers towards destinations with simpler documentation and quicker turnaround times,” Shukla explained.
Shukla added that travellers today are also prioritising flexibility and security more than ever before. “Demand has not disappeared; it has geographically re-routed. Travellers are now choosing destinations where visa costs, travel budgets and operational risks are lower. Flexible bookings, travel insurance and trusted visa partners have become non-negotiable for many outbound travellers in 2026,” he noted.
Digital visa systems gain momentum
Industry players also highlighted the growing importance of digital visa systems and policy reforms. Manmeet Singh Arora, Founder & CEO, Mannat Visas, said the global visa ecosystem is rapidly moving towards digitisation. “The UK has now transitioned fully to a digital e-visa system, while Europe is preparing for a unified digital visa portal. These changes are aimed at speeding up travel processes in the long run,” he said.
Arora also pointed to the India-EU Mobility Pact signed earlier this year, which is expected to improve access to multi-year Schengen visas for Indian travellers. However, he cautioned that demand continues to outpace infrastructure. “Applications from India have surged by 29 per cent this season, and appointment slots at several VFS centres are taking up to 45-60 days. Travellers are now booking trips as early as January to secure summer departures,” he said.
Rahul Bhadana is a digital editor at TravTalk with experience spanning multiple content niches, with a strong focus on travel trade journalism and digital publishing. A graduate of Delhi University, his work covers editorial writing, content strategy and platform-led storytelling, supporting TravTalk’s digital growth and industry engagement. A technology enthusiast, he enjoys films, poetry and exploring new ideas across media and culture.