India logs record outbound travel in 2024, driven by middle class and global connectivity
India posted the country's highest number of outbound travelers on record in 2024, as per Travel Trends 2025, the annual Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report released Thursday. As per the report, Indian tourists are exploring a 'broad mix' of destinations—the top three being Abu Dhabi, Hanoi, and Bali—with growth supported by expanded direct flight connections and a rapidly growing middle class that is eager to travel. Together, the two markets continue to play an outsized role in shaping global travel flows, stated Mastercard.
As per the report, Asia-Pacific is home to eight of the world's top 15 trending summer travel destinations. While exchange rates and geopolitical dynamics can influence behavior, the report highlights that passions and purpose-driven motivations remain strong drivers shaping the travel industry.
Tokyo and Osaka are the world's #1 and #2 top trending destinations for summer travel (between June-September 2025), with the two largest increases in tourism demand relative to previous levels.
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In 2024, Japan's capital city climbed from the number two spot that it held in 2023 to lead global travel demand heading into the peak summer season, reflecting its continued appeal. Meanwhile, Nha Trang in Vietnam made a surprise entry into the list, climbing in popularity thanks to its beautiful beaches, enviable coastline and vibrant nightlife.
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The report stated that Chinese Mainland retained its position as the world's largest outbound travel market in 2024. Chinese travelers are increasingly prioritizing value and visa-friendly destinations including Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore. Interest in Central Asian destinations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan is also increasing.
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David Mann, chief economist for Asia Pacific at Mastercard said the Asia-Pacific region continues to set the pace for global travel, with buzzing destinations like Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul, and Singapore capturing the imagination of travelers around the world.
"Even as economic uncertainty persists, travel remains a bright spot—driven by people seeking meaningful, value-driven experiences. From exchange rates to regional accessibility, travelers are making smarter, more intentional choices about where they go and why, with a clear shift toward more personal, purposeful journeys," he added.
As per the report, a weaker yen throughout much of 2024 played a significant role in boosting Japan's inbound tourism, making the country a compelling destination for visitors in search of value.
Notably, a 1% depreciation of the JPY against the RMB is associated with a 1.5% increase in tourists from the Chinese Mainland. However, visitors from New Zealand and the U.S. rose only around 0.2% in response to the same degree of depreciation relative to their currencies. In 2024, the number of Singaporean visitors to Japan hit record highs — thanks to a 40% rise in the Singapore Dollar (SGD) vs. Japanese Yen (JPY), even as airfare and hotels got pricier.
The report stated across Asia-Pacific, travelers are prioritizing dining, nature, and wellness as key motivators for travel, seeking meaningful moments over traditional sightseeing. Destinations like Gianyar in Bali, Indonesia, known for its iconic Babi Guling spit-roasted pork, and Queenstown in New Zealand—where restaurants welcomed tourists from 44 countries in 2024—are standing out as globalized culinary hotspots.
The rise of sports tourism continues, with major events like the Australian Open tennis tournament and Baseball World Series in Los Angeles drawing significant international spend. Shohei Ohtani's World Series debut saw spending by Japanese visitors surge by 91%, six times the broader cross-border boost, highlighting how sporting events are proving to be powerful travel catalysts for fans.
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