India’s Outbound Travel Boom: Japan, South Korea and Australia Brace for Record Indian Arrivals in 2026
Countries across the Asia-Pacific region are preparing for a record year of Indian tourist arrivals in 2026, driven by rising disposable incomes, easier visa regimes, and a growing appetite for experience-led international travel. South Korea is targeting 250,000 Indian arrivals this year, Australia expects 492,000, and Thailand anticipates 2.55 million Indian visitors.
South Korea: From 200,000 to 250,000
More than 187,000 Indians visited South Korea between January and November 2025, with the full-year figure estimated to have crossed 200,000. Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director for India and SAARC countries at the Korea Tourism Organization, told the Economic Times that the 2026 target is 250,000 arrivals.
“Indian travellers are increasingly seeking personalised and experience-led journeys, moving beyond first-time sightseeing to explore regional destinations, food, and everyday lifestyle experiences,” Yun said. South Korea is promoting seasonal travel themes and less-explored regions to attract repeat Indian visitors.
Japan Opens New Destinations to Indian Market
The Japan National Tourism Organization is planning to introduce lesser-known areas to Indian travellers, including Sendai, Nikko, Matsumoto, Kanazawa, and Nara. A spokesperson said Japan expects Hokkaido and Okinawa to gain popularity among Indians, alongside an emerging interest in the Kyushu region.
“We believe there is huge potential in India for promoting the snow destinations of Japan besides golf tourism,” the spokesperson said. The push comes as Indian visitor numbers to Japan continue to climb beyond the traditional cherry blossom season.
Australia, Thailand, Singapore Gear Up
Tourism Research Australia estimates arrivals from India will reach 492,000 in 2026, a 6.4 per cent increase over the previous year. Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager for India and the Gulf at Tourism Australia, said growth would be supported by cultural events including the Australian Open, Formula 1, Vivid Sydney, and Dark Mofo in Tasmania.
Thailand is anticipating around 2.55 million Indian tourists this year, according to Nattachit Oonsiam of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Mumbai office. Singapore is focusing on deepening collaborations with Indian brands, content creators, and Bollywood to strengthen its market presence, said Marcus Tan of the Singapore Tourism Board.
What Is Driving the Surge
India recorded 8.39 million outbound trips in the July-September quarter of 2025 alone — more than four times the 1.92 million foreign tourist arrivals in India during the same period. The top outbound markets were the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, the US, and the UK.
Rajesh Magow, co-founder of MakeMyTrip, noted that international destinations are “increasingly lowering access barriers for Indian travellers through simpler visa regimes.” China has re-entered the radar with the resumption of direct flights. Greece, Georgia, and the Philippines are also gaining traction, with the latter offering visa-free entry.
India’s domestic travel sector is simultaneously booming — Kerala recorded 2.58 crore visitors in 2025 — and the government’s tourism infrastructure push in Budget 2026-27 is adding capacity on both inbound and outbound routes.
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