For years, India's festive season meant family reunions, packed trains, and visits to hometowns. But 2025 is painting a very different picture. More Indians are packing their bags - not for home, but for holidays abroad. And this time, they're travelling solo.
According to new data from Atlys, a visa processing platform, Indian travellers are embracing global experiences like never before. Between September and October 2025, over 71% of visa applications were from solo travellers, signalling a dramatic departure from India's traditionally family-focused festive tourism.
The findings also highlight who's driving this shift: millennials made up 53.5% of all applicants, followed by Gen Z (29.7%) and Gen X (14.6%). Men dominate visa applications at 75.9%, compared to 21.6% women.
Top 6 International Destinations Indians Are Headed To This Festive Season:
Proximity and affordability continue to guide Indian travel choices. The bulk of visa applications this festive season account for:
- The UAE
- Thailand
- Vietnam
- Indonesia
- Malaysia
- Sri Lanka
These countries remain top picks for their convenient flight connections, easy visa processes, and warm weather.
"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," said Mohak Nahta, Founder & CEO of Atlys.
Top Schengen Destination This Festive Season
Interestingly, not all the buzz is around Asia. Germany emerged as the most sought-after Schengen destination, thanks to the world-famous Oktoberfest. Atlys reported that nearly two-thirds of Schengen visas issued this season were for Germany, fuelled by growing interest in the Bavarian beer and cultural festival.
The majority of these travellers were solo, millennial, and male, reflecting a new wave of Indian tourists seeking authentic, immersive experiences over traditional sightseeing. What was once a niche interest - travelling to attend international festivals - is now becoming a key part of Indians' travel plans.
"With back-to-back long weekends, people are transforming festivals into opportunities for international travel. This marks a behavioural shift in how Indians travel. They're planning smarter, exploring more confidently, and increasingly weaving global experiences into their festive calendar," added Nahta.
2025 Turned Out To Be A Promising Year For Indian Travellers
Atlys data suggests that 2025 could be one of the most travel-friendly years for Indians. The rare combination of aligned long weekends, rising disposable incomes, and a strong appetite for cultural and experiential travel is fuelling a steady rise in outbound visa demand.
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