India's foreign exchange earnings are up. Travel spending per tourist is up. But international tourists in India are still lagging behind pre-Covid figures by 10%.
Goa had decided to increase its permission fee as it was receiving a large number of applications. However, the high cost could have proved a deterrent for events business.
The Coldplay concerts have fans from all over India scrambling to get tickets - reselling is rampant and at exorbitant prices. And now, booking hotels is getting more expensive for the fans, as well.
Indian travelers' growing demand for nonstop flights is a big win for local airlines, but they’ve got a tough road ahead. Middle Eastern and European carriers aren’t backing down without a fight.
Younger generations form the biggest traveler base in India, and are key to the country's growth as a source market. Millennials' willingness to spend more on travel is a positive sign for their tourism economies of their destinations.
Looser visa restrictions are greasing the wheels of global tourism, but the real question is whether these policies can sustain long-term growth or just offer a fleeting boost to countries eager for quick wins.