🚀 The New Indian Traveller Has Changed. Has the Travel Industry Changed Too?

Something big has changed in the travel industry... and many companies still haven't noticed it.

A few years ago, most Indian travelers were looking for the cheapest package.

Today, they are looking for the right experience.

They no longer ask only:

"How much does it cost?"

They ask:
"What will I experience?"

India is one of the world's fastest-growing outbound travel markets, and traveler expectations are evolving faster than ever.

Today's Indian traveler values:

✅ Authentic Local Culture
✅ Wellness & Meaningful Journeys
✅ Luxury with Comfort
✅ Personalized Itineraries
✅ Safety & Seamless Service
✅ Digital Convenience with Human Touch

This is exactly why destinations like Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Central Asia, and India's Spiritual Circuit are attracting more Indian travelers than ever before.

The biggest opportunity for travel companies is no longer selling destinations...

It's creating unforgettable experiences.
The companies that understand this shift today will lead the travel industry tomorrow.

What travel trend do you believe will shape the next five years?

If you're planning FIT Holidays, Group Tours, Luxury Travel, MICE, Corporate Travel, or Customized Itineraries, I'd be happy to help.

Let's connect and create meaningful travel experiences together.

#TravelIndustry #FutureOfTourism #TravelTrends #LuxuryTravel #CorporateTravel #MICE #Tourism #Leadership #ExperienceEconomy | 10 comments on LinkedIn

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Activewear is quietly becoming everyday fashion.

India's athleisure market is expected to reach $22.37 billion by 2034, growing at a CAGR of 5.28%. But the bigger story isn't the market size. It's how consumer behaviour is changing.

Activewear is no longer limited to the gym. It's becoming part of everyday life. Whether it's working from a café, running errands, travelling or heading to a workout, consumers increasingly want clothing that blends comfort, functionality and style.

That made me think beyond market growth.

Instead of looking at brands by price or premium positioning, I mapped around 20 global and Indian athleisure brands based on two factors:
how they reach consumers, from Online First to Offline First and what primarily drives them, from Community & Content to Fashion Velocity.

A few interesting patterns stood out.

Legacy brands like Nike and adidas continue to benefit from decades of brand equity and storytelling.
Digital first brands like Gymshark, Blissclub and cult fit have built strong communities before focusing on scale.
At the same time, brands like Decathlon, Skechers and even newer players such as Agilitas highlight how offline distribution continues to be a powerful growth engine.

To me, this reinforces that the next phase of growth won't be driven by distribution alone. The brands that win will be the ones that combine strong products with community, trust and the right go to market strategy.
I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Would you move any brand on this map?

#Athleisure #Marketing #BrandStrategy #ConsumerInsights #Retail #D2C #Sportswear #IndianRetail #GrowthStrategy #StartupIndia

Run clubs are everywhere.

And honestly, I think that's a great thing.

Some people are showing up to improve their fitness.
Some are there to meet new people.
Some are simply there because it's trending.

Whatever the reason, if a trend gets more young people outdoors and moving, I'm all for it.

But there's another change happening because of this that I find even more interesting.

Run culture has quietly created an entirely new market for performance footwear in India.

People aren't just buying running shoes anymore.

They're researching them.

They're comparing cushioning, stability, heel drop, foam technology, carbon plates and energy return before making a purchase.

A few years ago, most sneaker conversations revolved around how a shoe looked.

Today, more and more people are asking how it performs.

And I love that.

Because it means we're beginning to appreciate the engineering behind a sneaker, not just its colourway.

Performance brands and running shoes are finally getting the attention they deserve, and with that, consumers are becoming far more informed about what they're putting on their feet.

To me, that's the biggest win.

If run culture leaves behind a generation that values functionality just as much as aesthetics, it won't just make us healthier.

It'll make India's sneaker culture far more mature.

Aditya Jain

✈️ AVIATION THIS WEEK: India's Airspace Crisis | What It Means for Your International Flight Plans

This is one of the most significant aviation developments affecting Indian international travellers in 2026, and the situation is still evolving.

📍 THE SITUATION
Two overlapping disruptions are impacting Indian airlines:
1️⃣ Pakistan has kept its airspace closed to Indian carriers since April 2025, forcing Air India and IndiGo to operate longer routes to Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, North America, and parts of Southeast Asia.
2️⃣ Ongoing regional conflicts have restricted access to parts of Iranian and West Asian airspace, removing key alternative routes that airlines had been relying on.

📈 THE IMPACT ON TRAVELLERS
• Flight times have increased significantly on many international routes. Some Delhi–London services now take 11–12 hours instead of 8–9 hours. Delhi–Dubai journeys can stretch to 4.5–5 hours.
• Higher fuel burn has increased operating costs, placing additional pressure on airlines already facing elevated aviation fuel prices.
• Air India has reduced or suspended services on select routes, including Toronto, Vancouver, certain New York operations, and Kathmandu.
• IndiGo has also adjusted frequencies on several Middle East and Central Asian routes.
• Reduced capacity and longer journey times have pushed airfares higher on many international sectors.

🌍 WHY FOREIGN AIRLINES HAVE AN ADVANTAGE
Carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, British Airways, and Lufthansa continue to access routing options unavailable to Indian airlines.
In some cases, a foreign carrier can operate Delhi–London in around 8 hours, while an Indian carrier may require up to 12 hours on alternate routings.

🛫 WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
✅ Compare total journey time, not just ticket price.
✅ If travelling to Europe, North America, or Central Asia, explore routing options via Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, or Istanbul.
✅ If you hold an Air India booking, review your itinerary and schedule for any changes.
✅ For July and August travel, book early and check route availability carefully.

💡 One positive development: Germany and France have removed airport transit visa requirements for Indian passport holders, making connections through major European hubs more accessible.

✍️ DM me if you have upcoming international travel and would like help evaluating the best routing options.

#AirIndia #IndiGo #AviationAlert #IndianPassport #AirspaceRestrictions #VisaConsultant #TravelAlert

Most people still associate cafes in India with coffee.
But quietly, another trend is growing alongside it.

Artisan bakery culture.

Today, premium croissants, sourdough, and handcrafted desserts are becoming part of urban cafe experience.

And brands are building an entire premium category around it.

Interestingly, Theobroma alone holds nearly 40% India's premium artisan bakery market.

And that says a lot about how Indian's cafe culture is evolving.

The product is just one part of the business.

The real game is becoming part of India's evolving urban lifestyle culture.

And honestly, consumers seem increasingly willing to pay for that experience.

#ConsumerTrends #CafeCulture #BusinessTrends #BrandStrategy #UrbanLifestyle

In India, looking good has become serious business💄📈

India’s beauty and personal care market is growing fast, driven mostly by rising incomes, premiumisation, social media, e-commerce and a new, young generation of consumers who are spending more on skincare, makeup, fragrances and wellness than ever before🧴

This map shows the estimated annual beauty spend per person across Indian states. Even at first glance, a trend is evident: southern India leads the way, followed by metro-led states 🏙️

Karnataka tops the ranking with around ₹5,800 per person each year, followed by Tamil Nadu, Delhi, Maharashtra and Telangana. These states combine strong urbanisation, higher disposable incomes and dense retail networks, creating fertile ground for beauty brands.

Eastern and northeastern states, on the other hand, still record lower average spending, suggesting that they remain promising markets as incomes rise and organised retail continues to expand.

For brands, this is a useful reminder that India is far from a single consumer market. As purchasing power can vary dramatically from one state to the next, so do growth potential and opportunities.

How different do you think the map will look five years from now?

#India #Beauty #Mumbai #Delhi #Bangalore #ConsumerInsights #Skincare #MarketResearch #FMCG #Retail #DataAnalytics #AnalyticsArts

SINGAPORE, 25 June 2026: As temperatures rise this summer, Indian travellers are increasingly considering destinations that offer easy access to trekking routes and outdoor experiences.  According to digital travel platform Agoda, accommodation searches for mountain destinations such as Leh, Kasol and McLeod Ganj have risen significantly compared to last year, driven largely by travellers from metro […]

Thailand is actively wooing Indian travelers with the promise of Tomorrowland and easier travel, aiming for over 2.5 million visitors by 2026. Abu Dhabi also sees India as a key market, enhancing connectivity and promoting events. Kenya anticipates a surge in Indian tourists, expanding beyond wildlife. Sri Lanka and Japan are also experiencing significant growth in Indian visitors, driven by improved access and diverse attractions.

India's consumption story is slowly moving beyond just buying more. People now are increasingly buying better: higher quality brands, better experiences & aspirational choices.

With India's per capita income now around ₹2.7–2.8 lakh & is likely to cross ₹3 lakh in coming few years if nominal GDP continues growing at 9–10%, premium spending is gradually becoming a long lasting trend.

This upgrade is already visible in some everyday categories:

1. Autos: SUVs now account for well over 60% of passenger vehicle sales, with models like the Mahindra Scorpio, Mahindra XUV 3XO, Tata Harrier, Hyundai Creta & Kia Seltos continuing to attract buyers over entry level options.

2. Electronics: Consumers are increasingly choosing ₹35,000+ smartphones, larger smart TVs, AI enabled appliances, premium laptops & smart home products.

3. Travel: Domestic air travel continues to touch new highs, while premium hotels are enjoying healthy occupancy and rising room rates as both leisure & business travel remain strong.

4. Dining/F&B: Premium coffee-shop's/cafe's, organised QSR chains & experience driven dining continue gaining popularity. Consumers today are increasingly willing to pay for convenience, consistency, hygiene & the overall experience.

5. Jewellery & Fashion: Consumers are increasingly choosing trusted brands over unorganised players. Branded jewellery, premium apparel, footwear and eyewear continue gaining market share as incomes rise.

6. Brand Upscaling: Some businesses already benefiting from this trend include Titan & Tanishq, Asian Paints & Berger, Havells & Voltas, Nykaa, Trent, United Spirits, Radico Khaitan, IHCL and Eicher Motors. These are just a few examples that come to mind.

For businesses, premiumisation usually means stronger pricing power, better margins & earnings growth that often outpaces revenue growth. The biggest winners are usually brands people trust enough to spend a little more on.

Millions of Indians are expected to move into higher income brackets over this decade. Organised retail should continue gaining market share, while Tier 2 & Tier 3 cities are becoming an increasingly important driver of premium consumption.

One key change is that consumers are not just upgrading products, they are upgrading experiences too. Whether it is holidays, restaurants, gyms, healthcare, education or beauty, more Indians today are willing to spend extra for something they believe is better.

Once people get used to better products and better experiences, they usually don't go back. That is why premiumization tends to last much longer than most people expect. If this trend continues, some of India's biggest wealth creators over the next decade could come from this space.

INDIA'S PREMIUMISATION WAVE IS REAL.
WHAT MOST BRAND BUILDERS ARE MISSING
IS WHAT COMES AFTER IT.

Every market research report says the same thing right now.
~ India's consumers are upgrading.
~ Disposable incomes are rising.
~ Tier 2 and 3 cities are entering the premium conversation.
~ Grade A retail is expanding faster than at any point in the country's history.

All of this is true.
And most brand builders are drawing the wrong conclusion from it.

The premiumisation wave is a distribution opportunity.
It is not a brand architecture.

Premium competes on quality and value perception.
Luxury competes on mythology and symbolic distance.

Premium justifies its price.
Luxury does not need to.

The founders riding the premiumisation wave and calling it luxury building are making a decision that will compound — incorrectly — for the next decade.

When the wave normalises — and every premiumisation wave in every market eventually does — the brands that survive it will be those that built mythology during it.

Not those that rode it and called it luxury.

The wave is rising. This is the moment to build the foundation.
Not to mistake the tailwind for the architecture.

#IndianLuxury #LuxuryStrategy #BrandArchitecture #Premiumisation #IndiaLuxury #LuxuryBrands #FounderThinking #LuxuryConnect #AbhayGupta #LuxuryLeadership

India stands as the second-highest source of arrivals for the Maldives, propelling the nation towards the ambitious target of surpassing 2 million tourists by 2024, said Vijai Singh, vice president of Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts Maldives, at a news conference here recently. The Maldives, a bucket-list destination for many Indian tourists, offers a spectrum of unique experiences across islands.

67 per cent of Indians plan holidays around culture, heritage: Report | Travel

BUSINESS BUZZ | Lufthansa is expanding its India capacity as the German National Tourist Office steps up efforts to attract more Indian travellers to Germany.

Indian routes are set to benefit from Lufthansa Group’s €3-billion global investment in new seats, upgraded cabins and passenger services. The investment is global—not exclusively allocated to India—but the group is bringing newer aircraft and products to the Indian market.

Key aviation developments include:

• Lufthansa will deploy an Airbus A380 on the Munich–Mumbai route from August 1 to September 27, 2026, nearly doubling capacity compared with the smaller aircraft ordinarily used on the service.
• Swiss International Air Lines, part of Lufthansa Group, will launch five weekly nonstop flights between Bengaluru and Zurich from October 27, 2026.
• Lufthansa Group currently operates around 11 daily flights from India and plans to expand through larger aircraft, upgraded products and selected new connections.

Alongside the connectivity push, the German National Tourist Office has unveiled four campaign themes for the Indian market in 2026:
• Culture, led by the 150th anniversary of the Bayreuth Festival
• City experiences across destinations including Berlin, Munich, Hamburg and Frankfurt
• Regional cuisine, wine-growing areas and culinary traditions
• Nature, outdoor experiences and slow travel

Indian visitors generated nearly 928,000 overnight stays in Germany in 2025, an increase of 3.4% over the previous year. Between January and May 2026, the market contributed 350,488 overnight stays.

GNTO is now aiming to take annual overnight stays from India beyond one million, supported by stronger air connectivity, faster visa appointments and the removal of Germany’s airport transit visa requirement for Indians from June 3, 2026.

TheDialog tracks the aviation, tourism, business and people-to-people connections shaping the evolving India–Germany partnership.

Read the full report: https://lnkd.in/dExD_x8y

#TheDialog #IndiaGermany #Lufthansa #GNTO #GermanTourism #SWISS #Aviation #Tourism #BusinessBuzz #AirConnectivity

On World Chocolate Day, we explore how chocolate brands in India used advertising to link products with emotions, occasions and habits, shaping how generations buy, gift and consume chocolate.

Air India and IndiGo are cutting capacity on India's most important business routes this summer, and neither airline is fully attributing it to cost. That gap is worth paying attention to.

Air India confirmed a reduction of up to 20 to 22 percent of domestic flight operations across June and July. IndiGo followed with a 5 to 7 percent cut in domestic capacity between June and August, alongside a nearly 17 percent cut in international capacity in the same window. Combined, these two carriers control roughly 90 percent of India's domestic aviation market, so a reduction of this scale is not a routine schedule adjustment. It changes seat availability on the exact trunk routes corporate and MICE travel depends on, including Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and Ahmedabad.

Both airlines point to rising aviation turbine fuel prices and a weaker rupee, with volatility in global crude markets tied in part to the Iran conflict. IndiGo has been more cautious in its public framing, with sources describing the move as demand based rather than fuel driven. Whatever the internal reasoning, the effect on the ground is the same. Fewer seats on the routes HR teams and travel desks rely on for conference travel, offsites, and incentive groups planned months in advance.

For any organisation booking group travel on these corridors between now and September, this is not a wait and watch situation. Capacity cuts of this size typically show up as higher fares and reduced flexibility before they show up in headlines. Locking in group inventory earlier, building buffer days into itineraries, and confirming block bookings ahead of the September stabilisation point are the difference between securing a program at today's rates and reworking one after the fact.

How much of your remaining 2026 group travel is still unbooked on these routes.

#CorporateTravel #MICE #AviationIndia

India's civil aviation ministry has issued No Objection Certificates to three new applicant carriers this year: Shankh Air, Al Hind Air and FlyExpress. Here's what an NOC actually means, and what it doesn't.

An NOC clears an airline's ownership, financial background and security checks. It is not a licence to fly. That comes only after the DGCA grants an Air Operator Certificate, which covers aircraft, crew, safety systems and training. None of the three carriers hold an AOC yet.

The entrants themselves span different playbooks. Shankh Air, based in Uttar Pradesh, is targeting a fleet of 20 to 25 aircraft within three years. Al Hind Air, backed by the Kerala-based alhind Group and its decades of Haj and Umrah travel operations, plans to launch as a regional commuter carrier out of Kochi using ATR 72-600 turboprops. FlyExpress, headquartered in Hyderabad and backed by promoters from the logistics and cargo sector, is expected to focus on connecting Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities under the UDAN framework rather than compete on metro routes.

The timing matters. IndiGo and the Air India Group together account for close to 90 percent of India's domestic traffic, and both have trimmed domestic capacity this summer on rising fuel costs. Three new NOCs arriving alongside that squeeze reads like relief. Aviation advisors are less convinced. Industry estimates put the capital required to sustain an airline at roughly Rs 3,000 crore, well beyond compliance minimums, and the Federation of Indian Pilots has publicly pushed back on the idea that NOC approvals alone will dent the duopoly. Go First and Jet Airways both cleared early regulatory hurdles and still failed.

For agencies planning group and corporate movement into underserved markets, NOC approval is not capacity, and it is not routes. It is a starting gate. The distinction is worth tracking against each carrier's AOC filings over the next two quarters, particularly for Tier-2 and Tier-3 destinations where new capacity would matter most for group travel planning.

#AviationIndia #CivilAviation #TravelIndustry #MICETravel #CorporateTravel #GroupTravel #DomesticAviation #UDAN #IndianAviation #AirlineIndustry #TravelManagement #AviationNews

Over the last few months, I’ve watched something striking: Indians are choosing to travel up; not just more often, but more premium. Business-class queues at airports are getting longer, premium cabins are routinely full, and I no longer see a single upright, economy-style seat being accepted as “good enough” for long-haul travel.

On a recent trip from Africa to India via UAE I noticed a telling mismatch. The aircraft used on the Africa→UAE sector was modern, comfortable and clearly chosen to match passenger expectations. The UAE→India sector, by contrast, felt dated — older equipment, less comfort. That contrast isn’t just anecdotal. It’s a market signal.

Two clear takeaways for the industry:

- Indian travellers are learning to fly better. They value comfort, service and modern cabins, and they’re willing to pay for it.

- Airlines can no longer slip older, tired aircraft onto India routes without consequences. Demand for newer, better equipment on India services is only going to grow.

Case in point: I recently flew an European carrier on a Europe–India service and the aircraft and experience were so impressive I made a mental note: when flying to Europe, pick them and not an UAE carrier. That preference—and others like it—will influence booking patterns and brand loyalty.

For airlines this is a wake-up call. Match your product to evolving expectations or risk losing share to carriers that do.
India’s premium traveller is here in force. It’s time the industry treats them that way. | 15 comments on LinkedIn

India’s cafe culture is now moving beyond coffee.
Today, that culture is slowly moving beyond coffee.
Bubble Tea is becoming one of the fastest growing urban beverage trends in India.
And what makes this interesting is that Bubble Tea isn’t competing with chai.
It’s competing with the cafe experience.
The product is just one part of the business.
The real game is creating a trend people want to be part of.
That’s exactly how cafe culture scaled in India too.
And honestly, India’s urban consumers seem ready for it.
Wouldn’t be surprising if Bubble Tea becomes as common in malls and cafes as cold coffee over the next few years.

#ConsumerTrends #BrandStrategy #BusinessTrends #BubbleTea #FMCG

Most people just grab a coffee and move one.

But the business behind that cup is far bigger than it looks.

Starbucks currently leads Indian's cafe market with around 20% of shares.
Cafe Coffee Day follows closely at nearly 18%.

But What's more interesting is what comes after that.

Nearly 30% of the market is still controlled by smaller and regional cafe brand.

This clearly shows on thing.

No single brand truly dominates Indian's cafe culture.
Because in India, coffee is rarely just about coffee.

That's why even newer brands are scaling fast despite global competition.

The real competition isn't only about selling coffee.
It's about building an experience people return to daily.

Next time you order a coffee, notice what you're actually paying for.

#BrandStrategy #CoffeeMarket #BusinessInsights #IndianMarket #CafeCulture

According to insights from Pickyourtrail, culinary experiences are emerging as a key driver of international travel decisions, with nearly 40 percent of travellers now identifying food and local cuisine as a major factor while planning overseas holidays. More notably, 30-40 percent of travellers actively consider a destination's food culture before finalising where they want to travel.

India isn’t just consuming more.
India is consuming differently.

A few years ago, the first question was:
“How much discount?”

Today, it’s increasingly:
“Which brand?”

Tata Starbucks’ ambitious expansion plan isn’t just about opening more coffee stores—it’s a reflection of a much bigger shift in Indian consumer behaviour.

Consumers today are willing to pay a premium for:
☕ Brand trust
✨ Superior experience
📱 Social identity
💚 Consistency
🤝 Emotional connection

This trend isn’t limited to coffee.

We’re witnessing the same transformation across real estate, automobiles, electronics, fashion, beauty, food delivery, and hospitality.

The Indian consumer is evolving from being price-sensitive to value-conscious and brand-led.

Brands are no longer selling products.
They’re selling experiences, aspirations, and communities.

For marketers and business leaders, the takeaway is simple:

Competing on price wins transactions.
Competing on brand wins loyalty.

The next decade will belong to organizations that invest relentlessly in customer experience, trust, and differentiated brand value—not just discounts.

The era of “lowest price wins” is gradually giving way to “best brand wins.”

Do you believe Indian consumers are becoming more brand-led than price-led? I’d love to hear your perspective.

#BrandStrategy #ConsumerBehavior #Marketing #DigitalTransformation #CustomerExperience #BrandBuilding #Retail #SalesLeadership #IndiaGrowth #BusinessStrategy

The Indian premium consumer is not one consumer.
They are at least four.
And most brands are still marketing to only one of them.
After working inside high-footfall premium retail environments, I've come to believe that many growth challenges are actually segmentation challenges.
We talk about "the Indian premium consumer" as though they think, buy and aspire in the same way.
They don't.
I see four distinct profiles emerging:
1. The Legacy Wealth Consumer
Understated. Brand-literate. Relationship-driven.
This customer rarely responds to loud campaigns or aggressive selling.
Trust matters more than promotion.
2. The New Urban Professional
A first-generation premium buyer.
They research extensively online, compare brands, read reviews and seek social validation before making a purchase.
They don't just buy a product.
They buy a story they can identify with.
3. The Metro Aspirational Consumer
Highly aware of trends and social signalling.
Selective in spending but willing to invest in categories that create visible impact.
For this audience, the right entry-level luxury product can become a lifelong relationship.
4. The NRI Returnee
Globally benchmarked expectations.
They are looking for an Indian premium experience that feels world-class, not locally compromised.
They expect authenticity with international standards.
The interesting part?
These four consumers often walk through the same mall and enter the same store.
Yet they expect completely different experiences.
One wants privacy.
One wants education.
One wants aspiration.
One wants global sophistication rooted in Indian identity.
Many brands build their proposition around only one of these groups and wonder why growth eventually plateaus.
The strongest premium brands will be the ones capable of adapting their storytelling, service protocols and customer journey without losing the consistency of the brand itself.
Because in India, the challenge isn't finding premium consumers.
It's recognising that there are many versions of them.
And each one defines luxury differently.


#IndiaConsumer #PremiumRetail #IndiaMarketing #ConsumerPsychology #LuxuryIndia #LuxuryMarketing #RetailStrategy #ConsumerBehaviour #MarketingLeadership #BrandStrategy