Indians on holiday: Record number of travellers head abroad in 2024, report finds

During the first quarter of 2024, Indian airports welcomed a staggering 97 million passengers, a figure that would have taken an entire year to achieve just a decade ago, the report by Mastercard Economics Institute said.

International travel from India has experienced significant growth, with a four percent increase in passenger traffic as of March 2024, while domestic travel in India has seen a higher uptick, with passenger traffic up by 21 percent compared to 2019 levels, the report said.

Indian tourist arrivals into the US have surged by 59 percent compared to 2019 figures, data from the report showed.

According to the report, this defies the overall trend of overseas arrivals to the US, which remains 7 percent below pre-pandemic levels.

The south Indian city of Chennai reached a significant milestone in March 2024, with total passenger traffic surpassing pre-pandemic levels – a pivotal moment in the ongoing recovery of the travel industry.

Bengaluru has consistently maintained domestic passenger traffic levels above those of 2019 over the past year. “This resilience can be attributed, in part, to the gradual return of workers to offices and the resurgence of service sectors in the city,” the report said.

The report, titled ‘Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries’, said this surge is indicative of India’s robust economic growth and the rising disposable incomes of its citizens that is fostering a strong desire to explore the world beyond its borders.

Looking ahead, the Mastercard Economics Institute anticipates a democratisation of the travel industry in India.

“The expanding middle class and favourable supply dynamics, including the continuous addition of new routes each month will drive this transformation.

“Between April and June 2024 alone, approximately 24 routes are scheduled to either resume operations or debut, signalling a promising trajectory for the future of Indian travel,” the Institute said.