Geopolitical tensions, airspace disruptions and shifting airline capacity are redrawing Asia's outbound travel map. We speak to Pradeep Saboo, director of Guideline Travels Holidays, a seasoned expert in India, on what's happening on the ground for the Indian market – and where the opportunities still lie.
How are you viewing the Indian outbound travel market right now?
The Middle East conflict and Donald Trump’s actions are weighing on traveller confidence, while Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently issued a seven‑point advisory – encouraging citizens to avoid international travel as part of a broader austerity drive to protect India’s foreign exchange reserves. As a result, we’ve received a lot of calls from clients wanting to cancel or postpone their trips.
The situation is compounded by airline capacity reductions during the peak June-to-August travel period. Air India has significantly reduced frequencies on several international routes, with Singapore among the most affected – all six daily Delhi- and Mumbai-Singapore services are set to be suspended from 1 June. Meanwhile, AirAsia has cancelled several routes to India, which will further tighten capacity and push airfares higher.
“In May and June, Indians are the biggest buyers of cabins on cruise ships.”– Pradeep Saboo, director, Guideline Travels Holidays
Let's talk about cruise. Where does it fit into the India outbound picture right now?
India’s cruise segment continues to grow, led by homegrown operator Cordelia Cruises. The line, which homeports in Mumbai for most of the year and Chennai seasonally, will once again operate its Chennai–Singapore–Chennai sailings. The product appeals strongly to first-time cruisers and the mid-market segment.
What's selling particularly strongly for them?
Some of their itineraries sell very well, particularly Lakshadweep cruises, which offer a unique way to reach the islands near the Maldives. In the region, Singapore has benefited from diversion of travel demand from Europe and Middle East; many who wouldn’t normally cruise have opted for sailings with Disney Cruise Line from Singapore.
India's outbound market is often talked about in extremes – the ultra-wealthy at one end, budget travellers at the other. Is that a fair picture?
India's outbound market is often perceived as a tale of two extremes – ultra-high-net-worth travelers at one end and budget-conscious travellers at the other. In reality, the most commercially significant segment sits firmly in the middle: the four-star traveller spending around S$200–300 (US$150) per room per night, who expects quality without excess. This segment has no interest in budget lodges or guesthouses, but is concerned about food quality and Indian food options.
The MICE segment, however, is considerably more price sensitive – every US$10-50 per person matters. As a result, destinations whose currencies have appreciated (e.g. Malaysia, Singapore) are losing share this year versus those that are cheaper (e.g. Vietnam, Thailand).
This article was first published in Travel Weekly Asia’s April-June 2026 issue. Click here to read more from this issue.