Indian group travel is increasingly being shaped by ease of access, value and the quality of experiences, with demand spreading across destinations, age groups and travel interests. Short-haul international markets such as Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Dubai, Sri Lanka, Japan and Bali remain popular, while domestic groups are exploring destinations from Kashmir and Ladakh to Kerala, the Northeast and spiritual circuits.
The shift is also visible in the profile of travellers. Young professionals, families, senior citizens and interest-based groups are all contributing to demand, while better air connectivity from tier II and III cities is opening up more choices for group travel.
“We are seeing a real focus on destinations that offer ease of access, value, and strong experiences,” says Krishnan R, Director, Wizz Holidays. He identifies Vietnam as a destination that has “really taken off” as a top outbound choice. Domestically, he says, demand is broad, covering Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, the Northeast, Kerala and spiritual circuits such as Varanasi.
Group travel is no longer restricted to a particular age segment. “We are seeing demand across the board: young professionals travelling with friends, multi-generational family groups, senior citizens on escorted tours, and specific interest groups focused on wellness, adventure, or food,” Krishnan says. Family travel remains the backbone of the segment, with Indian travellers continuing to value the comfort and companionship of travelling in a group.
Younger travellers, meanwhile, are emerging as a strong driver of the segment. “Gen Z and younger millennials are a huge driver here,” he says. Their preference is for discovery, short and frequent trips, and curated small-group experiences that combine social interaction with flexibility.
The biggest change, however, is in what travellers want from these holidays. “The shift is definitely from ‘sightseeing’ to ‘experiences’. It is less about checking boxes and more about the memory,” Krishnan says. Adventure, wildlife safaris, food trails and event-based travel such as concerts are gaining interest, alongside cultural immersion, wellness retreats and phenomenon-based travel such as the Northern Lights and cherry blossoms.
The market is also seeing a clear distinction between first-time and repeat travellers. First-time visitors generally favour established destinations such as Europe, Singapore and Dubai, while repeat travellers are increasingly exploring Georgia, Central Asia and Japan. They are also showing greater interest in niche journeys centred on photography, wildlife and culinary experiences.
Krishnan sees experience-led travel, rising demand from tier II and III cities, multi-generational holidays and smaller interest-based groups as key emerging trends. “Ultimately, travel is shifting from a ‘luxury’ to a lifestyle priority, which means people are travelling longer, more frequently, and with a much deeper focus on meaningful experiences,” he says.
Janice Alyosius is a travel and MICE journalist focusing on business travel, destination marketing, aviation and industry policy. She leads editorial content at MICEtalk and also writes for TravTalk, covering global trends, trade developments and key industry conversations. With regular reporting from tourism forums, conventions and on-ground industry events, her work blends news-led analysis with strong industry voices, offering clear context and relevance for travel trade professionals and decision-makers.