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How young Indians redrew the map of overseas travel in 2025
BENGALURU: India’s international travel story in 2025 was written largely by the young and the independent. According to Niyo’s Travel Report 2025, nearly two-thirds of all overseas trips by Indians originated from New Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, underlining the continued dominance of India’s largest urban centres in global mobility.
The data points to a decisive generational shift. Gen Z and millennials accounted for nine in ten international trips, signalling the rise of a traveller who is confident, tech-savvy and focused on experiences rather than conventions. Solo travel emerged as the defining trend, making up 63.8% of all trips, far ahead of couples at 19.93%, families at 12.26% and groups at just 4.01%.
These travellers planned carefully despite their independent streak. Visa preparation, forex optimisation and cost efficiency featured prominently, reflecting a balance between spontaneity and financial prudence. Short-haul destinations across Asia and Central Asia dominated preferences. Thailand and the UAE led the list, accounting for 23.08% and 21.57% of trips respectively, followed by Georgia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, the UK and Singapore.
Emerging destinations also saw strong momentum. Flight growth was highest for Thailand, the UAE, Malaysia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, while visa demand rose sharply for Dubai, Vietnam, Singapore, Hong Kong and Indonesia. Together, these patterns suggest Indian travellers are looking beyond traditional Western destinations, favouring affordability, accessibility and cultural novelty.
Timing, too, has shifted. September replaced October as the peak travel month, with 41% of trips planned during the month. Visa applications mirrored this change, with 53.4% submitted in September 2025, up from 46.6% in October the previous year. The shift points to a more price-conscious and planning-oriented traveller, keen to avoid seasonal spikes.
Safety considerations gained prominence. In 2025, travellers purchased 11,979 travel insurance policies, a rise of 43% from 2024. Most policies were valued between ₹50,000 and ₹1,00,000. Insured travellers most frequently visited destinations such as Thailand, the UAE, France, Malaysia, Singapore, the UK, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.
Co-founder and CEO of Niyo, Vinay Bagri, said, “The new global Indian traveller is young, ambitious, and unapologetically independent. They plan with confidence, book smart, and prioritise visas, insurance, and cost efficiency while travelling abroad. At Niyo, we are committed to being the travel stack behind every Indian passport story, helping travellers save, secure, and simplify their journeys.”
Spending behaviour abroad also reflected changing priorities. Nearly half of all card usage went towards shopping at 47.28%, followed by dining at 20.69% and transport at 19.93%. Accommodation accounted for 9.09% of spending, while experiences made up a modest 3.01%. Smarter forex management paid dividends, with Niyo users collectively saving ₹153 crore during the year. Premium members alone contributed ₹1.44 crore in savings.
Taken together, the data paints a clear picture. India’s outbound traveller in 2025 is younger, more self-directed and financially astute, shaped by digital tools and global aspirations. As international mobility grows, this cohort is redefining not just where Indians travel, but how they plan, spend and experience the world.
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HP launches Smart Champs learning game show with JioStar for students
Sanya Malhotra hosts quiz series blending fun, learning and prizes
NEW DELHI: HP India has teamed up with JioStar to launch HP Smart Champs, a new learning-based game show designed to make education engaging for school students across the country.
Hosted by Sanya Malhotra, the 10-episode series brings together students from Grades 5 to 9, who compete in teams through quiz and puzzle-based challenges that test knowledge, logic and teamwork. The show will begin streaming on JioHotstar from April 11 and will premiere on Nick on April 18, with weekend episodes airing at 7 PM.
Powered by HP Smart Tank printers, the format integrates print-based learning into the gameplay, using worksheets, clues and visual problem-solving tools to encourage hands-on participation. The idea is to move students beyond rote memorisation and towards more applied, curiosity-led learning.
The competition promises high stakes, with winners set to receive a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh, while runners-up will take home Rs 5 lakh. Additional rewards include HP AI laptops, Smart Tank printers and accessories, while the winning school will be awarded an HP Smart Tech Lab.
Speaking about the initiative, HP India managing director Ipsita Dasgupta said, “At HP, we believe nurturing India’s youth is key to the country’s progress, and technology plays a foundational role in enabling this. With HP Smart Champs, we wanted to create something beyond traditional learning, a fun-filled platform where curiosity, creativity and critical thinking take centre stage.”
On the show’s reach, JioStar head entertainment sales Mahesh Shetty said, “HP Smart Champs reflects how children today learn through exploration and experience. With Nick and JioHotstar, we are creating a multi-screen approach that is both engaging and meaningful.”
Highlighting the role of print, HP India senior director print Satish Kumar said, “The show brings print-based learning to life in an engaging format, helping students develop deeper understanding through hands-on experiences.”
The journey to the finale began with participation from over 1,000 schools across 26 cities, narrowing down to 34 finalists who will compete in a studio showdown in Mumbai.
With its blend of entertainment, education and technology, HP Smart Champs is positioning itself as more than just a quiz show. It is a nationwide push to make learning interactive, accessible and, above all, a lot more fun.
