By holidaying abroad, zindagi milegi dobara

If you haven't packed your bags and left for a well-earned vacation in a Southeast Asian island resort or for a Nordic sojourn already, chances are, with the festive season upon us, you're getting ready. You'll be joining an increasing number of Indians travelling abroad. The number of those making two or more foreign trips has increased by more than 30%. This is reflective of our growing affluence and interest in the world at large.

A recent MakeMyTrip report, 'How India Travels Abroad', confirms findings of an earlier Mastercard Economics Institute study, 'Travel Trends 2024: Breaking Boundaries'. A growing middle class with considerable disposable income, expanded route capacity and easier airport access have all made international travel a real option. Changing taste in destinations is also revealing. It's no longer driven by visits to a child living abroad in the US, Canada, Britain or Australia. Growth in these places has been limited compared to seeking out luxury experiences, spending on nightlife, and other retail spends. Which explains why the UAE is among the top choices. Indians' penchant for shopping abroad, too, has undergone a change - it's overwhelmingly high-end now. Visa uncertainties have put destinations like Vietnam, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan on the travel list. All this augurs well, which has taken to post-pandemic 'revenge vacationing' with gusto.

While nothing says 'We've arrived' like a few annual holidays abroad, there is a cue for the domestic tourism industry. Building infra - be it hotels, leisure activity, dining options or experiential opportunities - can provide the supplement of domestic destinations to international travel. The travel bug is getting infectious enough to make space for both.