Prof Haiyan Song, Chair, School of Hotel and Tourism Management at Hong Kong Polytechnic University, speaking at PATA India Tourism PowerHouse 2026, said outbound travel from India is being shaped by a “very different” growth dynamic compared with Southeast Asia, with first-time travellers driving expansion rather than repeat frequency. He explained that growth is accelerating as passport penetration and visa facilitation improve, while Southeast Asian markets expand more steadily through increased travel frequency.
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.