The festive season is already here, and just like every year, many Indians have already planned their perfect travel itinerary. However, things are a bit different this time. A fascinating shift in travellers’ preferences has come to light, as Atlys, a visa processing platform, shared fascinating insights. Read to find out what the new changes are.
How Indians Are Rethinking Festive Season Travel
This time, Indian preference for festive-season travel has witnessed a significant change. Unlike most years when the festive season was mostly about family get-togethers or nearby vacations, travellers are now preferring solo trips. Between September and October 2025, Indians are exploring international destinations independently. Many are taking solo journeys or experiencing different cultures, which gives them the perfect opportunity for personal growth and discovering new places.
Atlys noticed these significant changes among Indians and shared new insights. The data shows that 71.5% of travellers are going solo. Among them, millennials lead with 53.5% of visa applications, followed by Gen Z at 29.7% and Gen X at 14.6%. Men dominate the applications at 75.9%, while women account for just 21.6%.
Popular Vacation Spots Among Indians
Most Indian travellers during the festive season prefer short-haul destinations that are nearby, easy to reach, and affordable. Countries such as the UAE, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Sri Lanka received the most visa applications. Furthermore, Indian travellers are also showing growing interest in Europe.
They are also willing to travel to Germany, mainly because of the Oktoberfest. Atlys’ data shows that nearly two-thirds of Schengen visas issued during this festive season were for Germany, and most of these travellers were majority solo travellers, largely male and millennial.
On this, Mohak Nahta, Founder & CEO of Atlys, said, “Festive travel in India has always revolved around family reunions, but this year we’re witnessing something different. Travellers are using long weekends to explore new destinations and experiences abroad, turning traditional holidays into opportunities for travel and cultural discovery.”
This festive season, where are you travelling? Let us know in the comments below!
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/ Poike (Representative Image)