Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Report: Gen Z driving India’s experiential travel to $45B

It cites higher spending by young Indians as the driver

Experiential tourism India 2025

India’s experiential travel market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2027, led by Gen Z, according to travel firm WanderOn.

What is driving the growth of experiential travel in India?

INDIA’S EXPERIENTIAL TRAVEL market is projected to reach $45 billion by 2027, driven primarily by Gen Z, according to travel firm WanderOn Experiences. Travellers are shifting from traditional sightseeing to activities such as guided tours, cultural exchanges, concerts, solo trips and non-mainstream travel.

The WanderOn survey links the growth to rising aspirational spending among India’s younger population.


“Nearly 60 to 65 percent of our revenues are coming from the younger generation within the age group of 18 to 35 years,” said Govind Gaur, WanderOn’s founder and CEO. “We are witnessing a rising demand for curated, hassle-free and immersive travel experiences, particularly among the 18 to 45 age group.”

Around 93 percent of young Indian travellers now make independent travel decisions within their families, increasing their influence in the industry, the report said. Solo travel, once limited, is now more common among Gen Z, reflecting a broader push for self-directed experiences.

WanderOn’s consumer data shows the average ticket size has nearly doubled since the company’s inception. Gaur said the average ticket size at launch was ₹12,000 to 16,000 ($145 to 195) and has now nearly doubled. “We look forward to expanding by offering more premium, customised experiences that match evolving traveller preferences.”

The travel sector is expanding, driven by 2.5 billion domestic tourism visits in India in 2023, the report said. The industry is expected to grow by $125 billion by 2027. The rise in experiential travel reflects shifting priorities, especially among younger Indians who now value travel over savings.

The segment is set to reshape India’s travel economy, as Gen Z opts for customised experiences and less-visited destinations, WanderOn said.

Rating agency Icra reported that India’s hospitality sector is expected to grow 6 to 8 percent this financial year, with domestic tourism as the main demand driver in the short term.

More for you

The Fern Hotels & Resorts signs four new eco-friendly properties, reaching 10,000 rooms across India
Photo credit: The Fern Hotels & Resorts

India’s Fern Hotels crosses 10,000-room mark

Summary:

  • The Fern Hotels & Resorts, part of Concept Hospitality, recently signed four hotels, bringing its inventory to 10,000 rooms.
  • Concept Hospitality, founded in 1996 and based in Mumbai, is led by Executive Chairman Param Kannampilly and Managing Director Suhail Kannampilly.
  • The Fern brand has focused on energy efficiency and sustainable waste management since inception.

INDIA’S CONCEPT HOSPITALITY-OWNED The Fern Hotels & Resorts recently signed four hotels, taking its inventory to 10,000 rooms. Launched in 2009, The Fern brand focuses on eco-friendly practices, including energy efficiency and sustainable waste management.

Keep ReadingShow less
Indian Students Must Unlock Social Media for US Visa

Indian students must unlock SM for U.S. visa

INDIAN CITIZENS APPLYING for U.S. F, M or J student visas must make their social media accounts public before the visa interview, according to the U.S. Embassy in India. The U.S. grants F visas for academic courses, M visas for vocational courses and J visas for exchange programs.

The U.S. administration directed embassies in May to halt student visa appointments while expanding scrutiny of applicants’ social media, according to a BBC report.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ritesh Agarwal announces contest to rename OYO's parent firm Oravel Stays
Photo credit: OYO

OYO launches naming contest for parent firm

How to Enter OYO’s ₹3 Lakh Naming Contest?

RITESH AGARWAL, CEO of OYO, announced a contest to rename parent firm Oravel Stays, with a prize of ₹3 lakh or nearly $3,500. The new name must be one word, global and suitable for use beyond hospitality.

Agarwal, who also serves as chairman of G6 Hospitality, parent company of Motel 6 and Studio 6, shared on Instagram that entries are open but will close soon. He said the name should be one word, bold, global, and not tied to any single culture or language. It should feel tech-forward, human and memorable, with potential to grow beyond hospitality. Availability of a “.com” domain related to the name is preferred. He’s also offering a chance to meet him.

Keep ReadingShow less
Prestige Hospitality India IPO
Photo credit: Marriott International

India's Prestige to add 2,500+ keys across seven cities

How Many New Hotel Rooms Is Prestige Hospitality Adding?

PRESTIGE HOSPITALITY VENTURES Ltd. is adding 2,509 rooms to its inventory through ongoing and upcoming projects, according to an Economic Times report. The pipeline includes three ongoing projects with 951 keys and nine upcoming projects with 1,558 keys across seven Indian cities.

PVHL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bengaluru-based Prestige Estate Projects Ltd. that operates luxury, upper upscale, upscale and upper midscale hospitality assets for business and leisure travellers, recently filed a draft red herring prospectus with SEBI to raise Rs 2,700 crore or about $316 million through an IPO.

Keep ReadingShow less
India Economy: ICRA Projects Hospitality Sector to Grow 6–8%

Icra: India’s hospitality sector to grow 6–8 percent

What is the growth forecast for India’s hospitality sector in 2026?

INDIA’S HOSPITALITY SECTOR is expected to grow at 6 to 8 percent in the current financial year, according to rating agency Icra, which revised the sector outlook to "stable" from "positive”. Foreign tourist arrivals to India are likely to remain low in the coming months following the terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, with a gradual recovery expected later.

Domestic tourism has been the main demand driver so far and is expected to remain so in the near term, Icra said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less