How Gen Z in India Travel: Spontaneous Yet Budget-Conscious

Indian Gen Z are booking flights and accommodations at the last minute more than any other generation, according to online travel company Agoda. Over 30% of Gen Z travelers book their flights less than a week in advance, and 44% make last-minute hotel bookings, an Agoda survey revealed.

However, despite being last-minute bookers, Gen Z continue to be budget friendly travelers, Agoda said. Over 60% of the travelers aged between 18 and 27 aim to keep their accommodation costs under INR 4,200 ($50) per night, and 24% aim to keep the spending between INR 4,200 to INR 4,800 ($50-$55) per night. 

A report by Skyscanner last year had also shared that budget was one of the most important considerations for young travelers. More than half the Indian youth prefer to save up for their travels, using their own money to fund vacations. This has also led them to be more financially prudent, with about 20% Indian Gen Z travelers using options such as buy-now-pay-later options while booking their first international trips.

Digital Media Takes Over as Travel Inspiration: Instagram is the biggest source of travel inspiration for Indian Gen Z travelers, the survey showed. Beyond social media, digital platforms such as Google searches, travel blogs or vlogs, and travel apps are the go-to for the travelers in this generation. These sources are replacing recommendations from friends and family, with only about 15% of Indian Gen Z using this as travel inspiration. 

From the survey, Agoda also found that beaches and island getaways are the preferred travel destinations for the generation, followed by mountains. 

Apart from that, over 40% of the Gen Z travelers prefer to travel with partners, followed by friend groups. Only about 11% of younger travelers prefer to travel with family, in contrast with Millennials, who prefer family trips over all other options.

IndiGo to Lease 3 More Widebody Planes from Norse Atlantic

Low-cost airline IndiGo On Wednesday announced that it has signed another damp lease agreement with Norse Atlantic Airways for three Boeing 787-9 aircraft. The development on Wednesday came a day after it was announced that IndiGo will be flying its first widebody aircraft, also leased from Norse Atlantic, on the Delhi-Bangkok route starting March 1. 

The three aircraft are expected to be delivered in the second half of the year. IndiGo plans to press them into service on international long-haul routes to Europe as per the airline’s plans to commence flights to the region from mid-summer. 

IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers said, “This will help us make strategic inroads and establish the brand in the European market. As we execute our broader strategy to strengthen and extend our international network, we are steadily advancing towards our vision of becoming a global player by 2030, firmly rooted in India and driven by continuous expansion.”

IndiGo is awaiting the delivery of its own widebody fleet from Airbus. Airbus A321XLR widebody aircraft are expected to be delivered in the ongoing 2026 fiscal year, and Airbus A350 widebody planes in 2027. 

Goa’s Tourism Minister Wants a New Image

Indian travelers have long gone to Goa to party — “Goa mein kuchh bhi chalta hai” (anything goes in Goa). It’s got beaches and nightlife, affordable and easily available alcohol, and casinos. Goa’s tourism minister Rohan Khaunte wants a new image, Skift reported. 

“We need good tourists coming in who are responsible enough,” Khaunte told Skift. “We want them to come to Goa, enjoy, make some memories, but not create ruckus in the state. Goa has been giving a very clear message that causing nuisance is not welcome.” 

The state is diversifying its image of the land of “Sun, Sand, and Sea” and adding “Sports, Spirituality, and Software” to create the "6 S's" of tourism in Goa. It is also working to solve the issues around cab drivers, a major point of discontent among tourists. Work has also started to handle the issue of stray dogs and cattle in the state, Khaunte said.

Kamat Hotels Signs Hotel in Gujarat’s Kutch

Kamat Hotels has signed a new property in Gujarat’s Kutch. The 153-key The Orchid, Mandvi, Kutch is expected to be completed within the next two years. Kamat Hotels aims to target demand for corporate events, weddings, and leisure travelers through this property. 

According to Kamat Hotels executive director Vishal Kamat, the resort is a part of the company’s strategy to expand to Tier-3 cities and rural areas as travel to such destinations is gaining pace. 

As of December 31, the company had a portfolio of 18 operating hotels across India, with six more properties in the pipeline. By March 31 this year, the company is targeting 23 properties in its portfolio with a total of over 2,200 keys. It has properties coming up in Chandigarh, Hyderabad, Bhavnagar, Dehradun, Gwalior, and Puri. 

SpiceJet’s Net Worth Turns Positive First Time in 10 Years

Financially troubled low-cost airline SpiceJet posted a positive net worth of INR 700 million ($8 million). This is the first time in a decade that the company’s net worth has turned positive. A positive net worth indicates that the airline has more assets as compared to liabilities, a major achievement for SpiceJet which has been troubled with debt and financial issues for years. 

It reported a profit of INR 260 million ($3 million) in the October-December quarter. A year ago, the airline had reported a loss of INR 3 billion ($34 million). Strong passenger demand, better operational efficiency, and improved yields also caused its total revenue to surge by 35%. 

Stotrak Hotels Debuts in Jaipur

Experiential accommodation chain Stotrak Hotels has opened restored heritage property Shamiyana Villa in Jaipur, Rajasthan. According to the company’s spokesperson Pradeep Shekhawat, the property aims to provide a heritage stay experience to travelers at an affordable price point. 

With this, Stotrak’s portfolio in Rajasthan has expanded to five properties. It has presence in Ranthambore, Kumbhalgarh, Jaisalmer, and Udaipurwati. The company currently has a portfolio spanning three Indian states, including Rajasthan, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.