Full Video: The Indian Outbound Opportunity

Key Points

• India is projected to be the leading outbound travel market in the coming decade, with the Middle East well-positioned to attract these travelers.
• Nearly half of Indian outbound tourists already visit the Middle East due to proximity, policy, connectivity, and cultural familiarity.
• The greatest growth opportunity lies in targeting high-value segments like luxury travel, destination weddings, and live events, while retaining maturing mass-market travelers.

Summary

At Skift Global Forum East 2025, Saniya Zanpure presented research highlighting India's emergence as the most important outbound travel market over the next decade, emphasizing the Middle East's unique advantages in attracting these travelers. While nearly half of Indian outbound travelers already favor the region due to proximity and cultural ties, the real opportunity lies in appealing to high-value segments such as luxury tourists, destination wedding groups, and attendees of major live events. Zanpure recommends that destinations both nurture existing mass-market travelers and actively pursue the new, experience-driven, higher-spending segments.