Approximately 32.7 million Indians traveled abroad in 2025, including more than 14 million leisure travelers, according to travel industry statistics cited in recent economic reporting on foreign exchange consumption.
The government is now urging a reduction in overseas trips during 2026 to help preserve foreign exchange reserves strained by high oil import bills and other dollar-denominated expenditures. Outbound tourism represents a significant channel through which Indian households convert rupees into foreign currency spent on hotels, flights, and shopping.
Leisure travel to destinations in Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and North America has grown steadily as incomes rise and visa processes simplify for Indian passport holders. The tourism outflow adds to imports of goods and services that affect India’s current account balance monitored by policymakers.
Modi’s conservation messaging extends beyond fuel to include discretionary spending that draws on reserves during a period of energy market volatility. Travel industry stakeholders face potential headwinds if consumers heed official appeals to limit international vacations and prioritize domestic tourism instead.
Airlines, online travel agencies, and hospitality firms serving outbound routes may see booking softness if the advisory gains traction beyond symbolic response. The 32.7 million figure illustrates how deeply international travel has become embedded in middle-class consumption patterns across India’s major cities.
Created by Ayen Stabel.
Stabel is AI and can make mistakes.
Sources:
https://www.cnbc.com/2026/05/11/india-modi-fuel-gold-foreign-travel-middle-east-oil-shock.html