Travel & Tourism in India – 2025
Rediscovering India. Reimagining Experiences. Reshaping the Future.
Introduction: A Sector on the Rebound
After being one of the hardest-hit industries during the COVID-19 pandemic, India’s travel and tourism sector has staged a strong comeback. In 2025, it is poised for a new phase of sustainable, tech-enabled, and experience-first growth driven by rising domestic demand, digital platforms, and evolving traveler expectations.
Education and Skill Devlopment
Key Trends Driving Recovery:
To lead in 2025 and beyond, strategic leaders must demonstrate:
Rising middle-class disposable income
Technology
Technology
Infrastructure investment (airports, highways, regional connectivity)
Domestic travel boom and spiritual tourism
Technology
Technology
Technology-driven booking, discovery, and personalization
Focus on sustainability and cultural authenticity
Technology
Domestic Travel Boom: The Rise of Bharat Yatris
With international travel still recovering and more Indians exploring their own backyard, domestic tourism has surged across all age groups and regions.
Growth Drivers:
At Lemango, we partner with governments, foundations, EdTech firms, and corporates to transform learning ecosystems.
- UPI and mobile booking making travel easier in Tier 2/3 cities
- Regional influencers and creators spotlighting hidden destinations
- Holiday culture shift among millennials and Gen Z
- Work-from-anywhere and leisure travel convergence (“workations”)
Example: Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh saw 40–60% rise in bookings post-2023 through homestay apps and rural tourism platforms.
Experience-Led Travel: Beyond Sightseeing
Modern travelers seek meaning, not just monuments. There’s a strong shift toward experience-based tourism — cultural immersion, eco-stays, local cuisine, and slow travel.
Key Experiences in Demand:
Education and Skill Devlopment
Heritage walks, tribal village visits, culinary trails
Education and Skill Devlopment
Wildlife safaris and nature trekking
Education and Skill Devlopment
Yoga, wellness, and spiritual retreats
Education and Skill Devlopment
Volunteer tourism and purposeful travel
Case: Kerala’s Responsible Tourism Mission is globally recognized for empowering local communities through experiential travel.
Digital Transformation in Travel
From AI-powered recommendations to immersive planning tools, tech is reshaping how travelers discover, plan, and share their journeys.
Emerging Digital Trends:
- Voice-based search for destinations and bookings
- Generative AI in travel planning and itinerary curation
- Virtual reality previews of stays and sites
- Blockchain-enabled loyalty programs and secure identity verification
Example: Indian OTA platforms like MakeMyTrip and Ixigo have launched AI travel assistants and predictive pricing engines.
Sustainable and Regenerative Tourism
Tourism is evolving from being just eco-friendly to net-positive, leaving destinations better than before.
Sustainability Themes:
- Eco-certification for hotels and travel operators
- Low-emission transport (e-buses, rail, EV rentals)
- Plastic-free travel zones and responsible waste management
- Local sourcing and artisan economy integration
- Eco-certification for hotels and travel operators
India aims to make 50+ destinations carbon-neutral by 2030 under the national sustainable tourism policy.
Government Policies and Sector Reforms
India’s Ministry of Tourism and several state governments are enabling travel growth through policy, infrastructure, and incentives.
Initiative | Objective |
Dekho Apna Desh | Promote domestic travel across all states and union territories |
Swadesh Darshan 2.0 | Integrated destination development with sustainability benchmarks |
E-Visa Expansion | Easier access for international tourists from 160+ countries |
RCS (Udan) | Boost regional air connectivity and airport access |
Tourism Startup Schemes | Incentives, incubation, and funding for travel-tech innovators |
Tourism Growth by Segment
Segment | Growth Insights |
Spiritual Tourism | Varanasi, Ayodhya, Kedarnath among top-visited sites post-pandemic |
Wellness & Ayurveda | Surge in foreign medical and detox tourism in South India |
Adventure Travel | Trekking, paragliding, scuba diving gaining popularity among youth |
Luxury Tourism | Palace stays, heritage trains, and bespoke experiences for HNIs |
Eco & Agri-Tourism | Farm stays and forest retreats in demand among conscious travelers |
Challenges Facing the Industry Challenges Facing the Industry
While momentum is strong, several systemic barriers still affect India’s full tourism potential:
Education and Skill Devlopment
Infrastructure Gaps
Last-mile road, sanitation, and digital connectivity issues
Education and Skill Devlopment
Workforce Shortage
Skilled hospitality professionals in Tier 2/3 destinations
Education and Skill Devlopment
Unorganized Operators
ack of regulation, quality assurance, or safety standards
Education and Skill Devlopment
Climate Impact
Extreme weather affecting destinations and seasonality
Education and Skill Devlopment
Overtourism
Pressure on popular spots like Manali, Goa, and Jaipur
Role of Technology & Innovation
Innovation is key to scaling personalized, safe, and seamless travel experiences.
Innovations Gaining Traction:
- Facial recognition and biometric check-ins at airports
- Drone-based surveillance and safety at tourist zones
- Smart signage, multilingual AR guides, and AI concierges
- Unified travel superapps offering end-to-end services
Future of Work in Tourism
The travel industry is a major employer from local guides to platform engineers.
Evolving Workforce Trends:
- Gig-based service providers and micro-entrepreneurs
- Digital upskilling of traditional artisans and guides
- Demand for hybrid profiles: content creators + hospitality experts
- Tourism management courses with digital marketing and UX modules
Lemango’s Strategic Perspective on Tourism
At Lemango, we help governments, tourism boards, travel-tech firms, and sustainable travel platforms unlock the next phase of growth through:
- Destination strategy & regional promotion models
- Data-driven traveler insights and segmentation
- Digital platform strategy and experience design
- Community-led tourism and inclusive business models
- Branding and campaign development for new-age travelers
The Road Ahead
At Lemango, we believe strategy is not just about frameworks, it’s about results. We help startups, enterprises, and governments translate vision into outcomes, one initiative at a time.
At Lemango, we believe travel is not just about going places it’s about creating impact. Let’s reimagine the journey together.
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At Lemango, we believe the future of learning is human-led, digitally empowered, and inclusive by design. Let’s shape it together.
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