Easier visas draw Indian travellers, but Japan and Europe show experiences still matter
In 2026, visa-free entry and simplified visa processes are shaping the travel preferences of Indian tourists. Popular searches have revealed that travellers are particularly drawn to Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan. Malaysia is actively working to en...
Japan and European destinations continue to draw strong interest despite the requirement for advance visas, driven by distinctive cultural experiences, scenic landscapes, seasonal attractions and well-established holiday circuits.
For Indian travellers planning an international holiday, the choice of destination can begin with a simple question: how easy is it to get there? Visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic visa processes can make planning less complicated, particularly for those working around limited leave, school holidays or long weekends. But a simpler entry process does not necessarily make a country the preferred choice.
As per the recent reports from the Ministry of Tourism, India recorded 19.84 million Year-to-Date departures in 2026 for the Jan- Aug period, which is down 7.6 per cent (21.48 million) compared to the same period in 2025. Travel search and booking platforms are reporting strong interest in destinations across Asia, including Sri Lanka, Vietnam and Thailand, while Japan continues to attract travellers despite additional visa formalities. As per MOT, Thailand remains one of the top five global choices for Indians, with travel searches increasing by 55 per cent year-on-year in late 2026. Next up is Malaysia, where local arrivals grew 14.6 per cent to 1.56 million in 2025, with Tourism Malaysia setting an aggressive target of 2.1 million Indian arrivals for 2026. Japan is emerging as the fastest-growing premium destination for Indians, showing a 125 per cent search spike heading into the late 2026 festive season.
Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Georgia are also gaining attention among Indians looking beyond traditional holiday markets. The emerging picture suggests that easier entry can influence destination shortlists, but it is only one part of a wider decision involving airfares, flight connectivity, accommodation costs, currency movements and the experiences available after arrival.
The distinction matters as India's passport access has changed. The October 2026 Henley Passport Index ranked India 84th, compared with 85th in October 2025. However, the number of destinations accessible to Indian passport holders without obtaining a traditional visa in advance fell from 57 to 55.
The improvement in rank, therefore, does not mean Indian travellers have gained access to more destinations.
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Which international destinations are Indian travellers searching for?
Traditional boats in Sri LankaAgoda's accommodation search data for October 2025 to September 2026 places Thailand, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore, the United States and Nepal among the 10 most-searched international destinations by Indian travellers. The platform also recorded substantial year-on-year growth in searches for several destinations. Sri Lanka registered the highest increase among the destinations highlighted, at 86 per cent, followed by Vietnam at 58 per cent, Japan at 55 per cent and Thailand at 54 per cent.
These figures measure accommodation searches, not completed bookings or actual arrivals. They indicate where travellers are exploring accommodation options, rather than confirming how many ultimately travel.
Nevertheless, the results show that interest is spread across destinations offering different kinds of holidays, from short-haul beach breaks and cultural trips to longer journeys involving city sightseeing, shopping and seasonal attractions.
Gaurav Malik, Country Director, Indian Subcontinent & Indian Ocean Islands at Agoda, said Indian travellers' international preferences over the past 12 months reflected a combination of familiarity, accessibility and unique experiences.
Agoda's 2026 Travel Outlook Report also found that 84 per cent of Indian travellers would travel more frequently if visa restrictions were not a factor.
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The finding suggests that visa requirements can influence how often Indians consider travelling abroad. However, the presence of Japan and the United States in Agoda's top 10 indicates that travellers continue to explore destinations beyond those associated with relatively straightforward entry arrangements.
Vietnam, Malaysia and Azerbaijan gain ground
Flame Towers, Azerbaijan EaseMyTrip's destination rankings offer another view of changing preferences. Thailand and the UAE retained their first and second positions between October 2024–September 2025 and October 2025-September 2026.
In the latest 12-month period, the top 10 destinations were Thailand, the UAE, Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, the United Kingdom and Japan.
Vietnam moved up from fifth to third position, while Malaysia climbed from sixth to fifth. Azerbaijan made a notable improvement, rising from 12th to eighth, and Japan entered the top 10 at tenth position.
The platform identified Azerbaijan, Vietnam and Kazakhstan among the destinations recording some of the strongest growth in searches and bookings, followed by Sri Lanka and Georgia. However, it did not provide exact year-on-year growth percentages or booking totals for these destinations in its response.
Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, said the shifts reflected Indian travellers' continued preference for established destinations alongside a growing willingness to explore newer international markets.
Among destinations attracting interest because of relatively convenient entry arrangements, Pittie identified Thailand, Malaysia, Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka. Vietnam and Azerbaijan have also gained traction through their electronic visa processes.
"Indian travellers are increasingly exploring a wider range of international destinations. Easier visa access can simplify planning, but it is not the only factor influencing demand. Affordability, connectivity and the experiences a destination offers remain equally important. Ultimately, travellers are looking for international holidays that deliver the right balance of convenience, value and memorable experiences," he said.
Why easier entry can make a difference
Visa requirements can influence a holiday well before a traveller books a flight. Advance applications may involve documentation, appointment availability, processing time and uncertainty over the outcome. More straightforward entry arrangements can reduce some of that planning effort.
This can be particularly relevant to travellers considering a short break, when lengthy preparation may make an international trip less practical.
Rikant Pittie said EaseMyTrip was seeing strong interest in destinations with simplified entry procedures. Easier requirements can reduce planning friction and make short-notice holidays more practical, particularly for travellers with limited time.
Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka recorded double-digit growth, according to the platform's response, although it did not provide individual growth percentages for these markets.
Travel companies also see an advantage in destinations combining accessible entry arrangements with convenient flights and competitive prices.
S. D. Nandakumar, President & Country Head, Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, said visa requirements influence how Indian travellers shortlist international destinations, but the final choice increasingly depends on the experience on offer, the time available to travel and the overall cost of the holiday.
“Destinations with easier entry requirements, such as Thailand, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, can appeal to travellers planning quick getaways and long weekends, particularly when supported by convenient flight connections and competitive airfares,” he said.
For travellers making decisions at short notice, the combination of easier entry, flight availability and affordability can make a destination more practical. However, those planning a major holiday months may be more willing to complete additional formalities if they have a specific destination or experience in mind.
Japan shows why visa convenience is not everything
Japan's position in the search and destination rankings provides a useful counterpoint to the argument that travellers necessarily favour the easiest entry options.
Agoda recorded 55 per cent year-on-year growth in accommodation searches for Japan, while EaseMyTrip said the country entered its top 10 international destinations at tenth position in October 2025–September 2026.
Both travel companies pointed to Japan's appeal beyond visa arrangements. Cherry blossom season, cultural attractions, food, shopping and sightseeing offer travellers reasons to plan a trip despite additional formalities.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited has also seen particularly strong demand for Japan and Vietnam over the past year. Rajeev Kale, President & Country Head – Holidays, MICE, Visa, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, noted that while passport strength and visa facilitation influence destination choice, travellers assess the overall proposition, including entry requirements, direct air connectivity, competitive airfares, accommodation costs and experiences.
“Visa convenience is a significant consideration, particularly for short-haul holidays and travellers looking to make the most of a limited travel window,” Kale said. However, he added that Japan and European destinations continue to attract interest despite advance visa requirements, driven by distinctive cultural experiences, scenic landscapes, seasonal attractions and established holiday circuits.
Currency movements can also influence the decision. Kale said the depreciation of the Japanese yen against the Indian rupee had made Japan more attractive to Indian travellers by improving their purchasing power for dining, shopping and local experiences.
For a traveller comparing destinations, the cost of a meal, hotel room or day of sightseeing can be as important as the time and effort required to secure a visa.
Europe's seasonal attractions encourage planning
Northern Lights, Europe European destinations offer another example of travellers looking beyond entry formalities. SOTC Travel highlighted Christmas markets in Vienna and Strasbourg, the Northern Lights in Tromsø and Rovaniemi, and winter experiences in Switzerland's Interlaken and Zermatt as attractions that can encourage Indians to plan further ahead.
Australia and New Zealand also feature in the company's outlook, with the Great Ocean Road and Sydney in Australia, and Queenstown and Milford Sound in New Zealand, appealing to travellers interested in landscapes and outdoor adventures.
EaseMyTrip noted Japan, the UK and European destinations continued to attract interest despite advance visa requirements. These markets serve leisure travellers as well as people travelling for business or to visit friends and relatives.
The pattern suggests that visa convenience does not necessarily outweigh a destination's appeal. Instead, it can influence the amount of planning required and the ease with which a trip can be arranged.
For a traveller hoping to see cherry blossoms in Japan or the Northern Lights in northern Europe, a particular seasonal experience may be the primary reason to travel. In such cases, preparation becomes part of the process rather than a reason to abandon the destination.
Airfares, accommodation and connectivity remain decisive
The availability of a visa or a simpler entry process does not automatically make a holiday affordable. Airfares, flight schedules, hotel prices and local expenses all influence the final cost, while direct connectivity can reduce travel time and make some destinations more convenient than others.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited reported Vietnam's appeal had been strengthened by accessible travel options, competitive pricing and the growing popularity of Phu Quoc, supported by direct air connectivity from India.
They even expect sustained interest in Vietnam and Japan, alongside European destinations such as Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Greece and the UK. The Philippines, South Africa, Bhutan and Sri Lanka are also among the markets it expects to attract Indian travellers seeking beaches, wildlife, nature, culture and experiential holidays.
SOTC Travel similarly expects Japan's cherry blossom season, Europe's seasonal experiences, Australia's and New Zealand's landscapes, and Vietnam's combination of culture and value to remain important areas of interest over the next 12 months.
Nandakumar detailed that the air connectivity and flight capacity, competitive airfares, accommodation costs and the overall value of a holiday would be critical in turning interest into bookings.
EaseMyTrip identified three broad factors shaping destination decisions: overall affordability, ease of travel and the quality of the experience. Airfares and connectivity affect which destinations travellers consider, while visa requirements influence the time and effort needed to plan. Accommodation costs, local expenses and available experiences then shape the overall value of a trip.
What India's passport ranking tells travellers
The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports according to access to 227 destinations worldwide, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
A destination scores one point if a passport holder can enter without a visa, obtain a visa on arrival or use a qualifying electronic travel authorisation. Destinations requiring a visa or an e-visa approval before departure do not count towards the score.
India's access score fell from 57 destinations in October 2025 to 55 in October 2026, despite the country's improvement from 85th to 84th in the ranking. The two measures are different: a country's rank can improve relative to other passports even if its own access score declines.
Two destinations contributing to India's lower score were Iran, which suspended visa-free entry for ordinary Indian passport holders, and Bolivia, which moved to an e-visa system requiring prior approval.
The index measures passport access, not the popularity of individual destinations or the number of Indians who visit them. It therefore cannot establish whether a change in visa rules directly causes an increase or decline in tourism.
The travel-platform data offers a separate perspective on demand, but it does not establish a direct causal link between easier entry and stronger growth. Nor do the available responses provide a common dataset of actual bookings, visitor arrivals and year-on-year growth rates across all destinations.
Which destinations could gain interest next?
Looking ahead, EaseMyTrip identified Vietnam, Kazakhstan, Sri Lanka, Japan and Georgia as destinations worth watching over the next 12 months. Vietnam and Kazakhstan are gaining attention among travellers exploring alternative international markets, while Sri Lanka appeals to those seeking convenient short-haul holidays. Japan and Georgia offer cultural, scenic and leisure experiences.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited expects continued interest in Vietnam and Japan, alongside a broader range of European destinations. SOTC Travel expects seasonal attractions and experience-led holidays to remain important considerations.
For Indian travellers, the practical choice will depend on the purpose and timing of the trip. Those planning a quick break may place greater weight on straightforward entry arrangements, flight availability and the total cost. Travellers organising a longer holiday around a particular season, landscape or cultural experience may be prepared to complete additional visa formalities.
The current evidence does not show that easier entry alone determines where Indians travel. Instead, destinations that combine convenient travel arrangements with competitive pricing, good connectivity and compelling experiences appear well placed to attract interest.
