Indian tourism shift, customised packages, traveller’s perspective, surge in travel numbers, and Indian tourism growth, reinvented by BizareXpedition
Travelling in the DNA
Indian travellers have always been in transit. In ancient times, trade was the reason, but as it progressed, travellers crossed rugged terrains to reach the Char Dham. For them, the end goal was never the destination but the experiences in the journey. The will to collect stories and make memories en route to the final stop has always been a priority.
Today, the way Indians travel has changed. From modern infrastructure and excellent services, the travel industry has shifted towards excellence. The main reason behind this switch is the change in the traveller’s mindset. They are no longer satisfied with fixed templates; they want to explore on their own terms. Fixed itineraries don’t attract them anymore; all they need is self-paced trips. The growing rates in the latter way of travelling show that this is more than a trend; it is a transformation.
Total GDP Contribution (year-wise)
| Year | Total GDP Contribution |
| 2019 | 6.9% |
| 2023 | 6.5% |
| 2024 | 6.8% |
| 2034 | 7.6% |
Source- https://www.pib.gov.in/FactsheetDetails.aspx
The Stats behind the Surge
After the COVID-19 hit on the Indian travel industry, the industry has not only survived but in fact bloomed more. It has joined other dominant travel economies in the world. Here is an overview of the Indian tourism Industry growth.
| Category | Metric | Growth |
| GDP Contribution (2024) | ₹20.9 trillion (US $249.3 billion) | 20% higher than 2019 levels |
| Employment (2024) | 46.5 million jobs | Over 9% of total national employment |
| Domestic tourist visits | 2,948 million | More than in previous years |
| International tourists | 20.57 million (including NRIs) | Surpassed pre-pandemic peak |
| Domestic Visitor Spending | ₹15.5 trillion | Up 22% from pre-pandemic levels |
| Foreign Exchange Earnings | US $28 billion+ | 31.5% jump over 2022 |
| Projected GDP (2035) | ₹41.9 trillion | Nearly double current figures (WTTC) |
| Projected Employment (2035) | 64 million jobs | Growth trajectory |
| Vision@2047 Target | 100 million inbound tourists | To be achieved by 2047 |
Source: World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), Ministry of Tourism, India, IBEF, India Tourism Data Compendium 2024
The Spiritual Connection: The Rise of Religious Tourism in India
No discussion about the travel trends is complete without discussing the rise of Religious Tourism in India. It occupies a lion’s share of the Indian travel industry, and every year, the number of visitors is more than in previous years. As per a report by KPMG, spiritual tourism contributes to over 60% of the total domestic travel in India. And it is evolving rapidly with modern facilities and ease.
The government has introduced many schemes like ‘PRASHAD’. It aims at boosting the growth of Indian tourism. With modern infrastructure and facilities at the holy shrines, the policy has led to more and more pilgrims taking the Do Dham Yatra and Char Dham Yatra.
The folklore behind the Char Dham darshan goes back to ancient days. Since then, it is believed that visiting Kedarnath, Badrinath, Yamunotri, and Gangotri can help you get ‘moksha’. Among these four temples, Kedarnath is part of the 12 Jyotirlingas and the most revered temple in the Panch Kedar. The Badrinath temple is located between the Nar and the Narayan mountains, and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
The Gangotri temple stands tall at the place where the Ganges is believed to descend to the earth. The Yamunotri shrine is dedicated to the Goddess Yamuna. The hot springs are used for rituals and offerings. The entire circuit represents a journey that millions undertake each year with immense faith and devotion.
Today’s traveller wants a personalised touch for the journey he seeks. From high Himalayan mountains to underrated destinations in South India, no matter where they go, everyone wants the journey to resemble themselves.
Boom in Premium and Personalised Travel
The most remarkable shift in India’s travel landscape would be the rise in premium travel. The segment has seen a remarkable surge in the last decade. Many experiences, such as adventure tourism, wellness travel, cultural immersion, and heritage tours, are all growing rapidly. The luxury travel market in India is expected to grow at a rate of 9.8% during 2024-30, reaching Rs. 10,73,785 crore by CY30(cited from IBEF India Tourism Report).
BizareXpedition: Crafting Stories
This is where BizareXpedition comes as the best travel company in Uttarakhand. We do not believe in selling just the packages; we aim to craft experiences which are designed around the traveller, their preferences and pace.
“For me, travelling was never about reaching a destination but creating experiences. We strive to bring the same notion with BizareXpedition packages.” – Deepika Negi, Founder, BizareXpedition
As the best travel company in Uttarakhand, we proceed with the packages as you want them to be. The stays, vehicles, meals, and assistance, each element of the Do Dham Yatra package, imbibe this thought.