Summer Travel Trends: Indian Travellers Flocking To Asia, Show Shifting Preferences For Insurance

There is a visible shift in how Indians are travelling this summer, not just in where they are going, but how they are preparing for the journey. According to new data shared exclusively by Policybazaar.com, an online insurance marketplace, summer travel destinations for Indians have changed.

more Indian travellers are now heading east, favouring Asia over Europe, and they are doing so with far more caution and preparedness than ever before.

Indian travellers choosing Asia over Europe

While the United States remains the most booked destination globally among Indian travellers, accounting for just over 5 per cent of bookings, the broader trend points elsewhere. Asia has pulled ahead as the preferred region, with 36.57 per cent of summer travel bookings headed to destinations like Singapore and Thailand. Europe is not far behind, claiming 31.77 per cent of the travel pie, with perennial favourites like France and Switzerland still making the cut.

There is still aspirational value attached to Europe but Asia is more accessible, especially for families. Says Meet Kapadia, Head of Travel Insurance at Policybazaar, "While USA is the top global destination, but when we compare the travel pie between usual favourite destinations, i.e. Asia vs. Europe, the majority of Indian travellers are still heading to Asian destinations during the summer travel season."

Millennials Are Travelling the Most, and the Smartest

If you are noticing more Instagram reels from beaches in Bali or the streets of Tokyo, that is not a coincidence. Millennials account for over half (51.12 per cent) of all summer travel in 2025.

Gen X and Gen Z are not far behind, while Baby Boomers, perhaps owing to health or mobility concerns, make up just over 11 per cent.

Moreover, the millennial cohort is not just packing bags, they are also securing those trips better than ever.

Travel insurance for Indian tourists

Travel insurance bookings have seen a massive jump. In 2024, just 24 per cent of travellers locked in their insurance before departure. That figure now stands at 76 per cent. That's a 100.3 per cent rise in early travel insurance purchases in just a year.

Kapadia attributes this change to a mix of growing awareness and practical necessity. "We've seen a massive shift in travellers' behaviour," he notes. "Travel insurance is no longer seen as optional. It's now becoming a must-have part of planning any trip."

Why Is Insurance Climbing the Priority List?

One big driver is visas. A number of countries now insist on valid travel insurance as part of their visa documentation. But it is not just bureaucracy. Indian travellers are increasingly aware of the unpredictability of travel, flight delays, lost luggage, and health emergencies, and they are willing to pay for peace of mind.

In fact, the preference for stronger protection is apparent: 62 per cent of travellers are now choosing policies with a coverage of $250,000 or more, up from the older standard of $100,000.

This is no longer about ticking a box; it is also about financial preparedness.

Favouring Adventure, But With Coverage

Another interesting insight from the report: 84 per cent of travellers who bought policy add-ons chose adventure sports coverage. Think scuba diving in the Maldives, snowboarding in Japan, or hiking in the Swiss Alps. That kind of travel comes with risk, and travellers are clearly recognising that.

Visa fee refund riders were picked by 9 per cent, while a smaller portion, 6 per cent, opted for pre-existing disease (PED) coverage and other niche protections.

Travel tips for Indians going abroad in summer

Summer break means family trips and the data backs it up: family bookings are up 6 per cent this year. While more parents are choosing comprehensive insurance policies that cover children up to age 18 or even 21, awareness remains patchy. Many policies do not offer adequate cover for pre-existing or congenital conditions in kids, and this can be a blind spot for families, assuming one plan fits all.

It is important that families read the fine print at the time of buying policies. Children's needs are different, and insurance plans may not always reflect that unless you are specifically looking for it.

Longer Trips, More Solo and Group Travel

This summer is also seeing people travelling for longer durations. The average trip now stretches between 17 and 18 days. This is not a short duration of travel and that is probably another reason insurance is being treated more seriously.

Solo travel bookings are up around 10 per cent, and group travel is up 9.3 per cent. Whether that is due to a post-pandemic thirst for exploration, or just the convenience of working remotely while abroad, is hard to say. But the numbers point to one thing: Indians are travelling more, travelling longer, and travelling smarter.

The data shows that travel habits are changing, some of it driven by the evolving needs, changing rules and general increase in the awareness of people. People are exploring options like 'must-have travel insurance for summer vacation'.

The uptick in insurance, the shift toward Asia, and the growing variety in how and why Indians are travelling point to a more mature traveller - one who knows that planning a trip doesn't stop at flight tickets and hotel bookings. Insurance is one of the most important safe summer travel tips for Indian tourists.

The questions Indian travellers are asking, perhaps is not "Should I get travel insurance?" anymore, it's "What kind of coverage do I need for where I'm going?"