Millennials, India’s holiday travel boom driving more than half of visa applications: Atlys, Ettravelworld

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Indian travelers drive their travel habits into the festive season, a growing mill in the apocalyptic movement. According to new data from ATLY, a leading visa processing platform, 71.5 percent of all visa applications from September to October 2025 were from Solo travelers, marking a significant shift from the traditional family-centric travel patterns typically seen during Indian vacations.

Millennials represented 53.5 percent of applicants, followed by Gen Z at 29.7 percent and Gen X at 14.6 percent. The data shows that younger travelers tend to explore independently, embracing shorter international breaks and cultural exploration. Men continued to lead the apps with a total of 75.9 percent compared to 21.6 percent for women.

Short-term destinations, travel preferences continued to dominate. The UAE, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka collectively accounted for the majority of visa requests. These destinations remain popular due to accessibility, affordability, and convenient entry processes.

“Holiday travel in India has always revolved around family reunions, but this year we are witnessing something different. Travelers are using long weekends to turn traditional holidays into opportunities for travel and cultural discovery,” he said.

Asia has emerged as another key draw to Europe – especially Germany. The celebration of Oktoberfest in Munich was exiled Germany Top Schengen destinations for Indian travelers this season. Horse data shows that two-thirds of Schengen visas issued during this period were for solo, millennial travellers. Trend highlights the formations of Indian foreign tourism by mixing leisure with cultural exploration of cultural festivals abroad.

“On back-to-back weekends, people are turning festivals into opportunities for international travel. This shows a shift in behavior in how Indians travel.

Marking one of the most travel-friendly years for Indians in 2025 – one of many long-haul, increasing disposable incomes and expansion of visa access – Riders mean that interest in foreign travel continues to grow. The trend points to a mature market where Indian travelers are prioritizing immersive global experiences over conventional holidays.

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