This European country is leading India's travel wishlist — Find out why
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This surge highlights a growing enthusiasm among Indian travellers for European destinations, with Germany emerging as the most favoured choice.
Germany accounted for 20% of all Schengen-bound Indian travel between January and March 2025, followed by France at 17.57% and Switzerland at 10.67%. The Netherlands and Italy rounded out the top five destinations. Germany's appeal stems from both business and leisure travel opportunities, while Switzerland and the Netherlands attract adventure tourists, increasing demand for travel insurance policies that cover activities like skiing and hiking.
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An important factor in this travel boom is the increase of Indian women tourists. In Q1, Indian women's travel increased by 19%, more than the 13% growth for men. Women are choosing more extensive travel insurance policies that include necessary extras like trip cancellation coverage and reimbursements for visa fees. This pattern indicates a greater understanding of the significance of protecting trip expenditures, particularly in view of visa uncertainty.
It has been witnessed that Indian visitors are eagerly purchasing insurance, and more wisely, due to worries over visa refusal. In 2023, Indian applicants, reportedly, lost around €12.1 million (INR 109 crore) in non-refundable fees because of a 15.7% Schengen rejection rate. Learning from past setbacks, around 20% of travelers in early 2025 chose Visa Fee Refund riders, which help recover some costs in case of visa denial.
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This highlights a proactive shift in strategy to reduce possible losses.
Interestingly, adventure tourism is also playing a part in this rise. Countries like Switzerland and the Netherlands offer numerous options for skiing, hiking, and other high-energy activities. Consequently, many travelers are purchasing specialised travel insurance that covers extreme sports and unexpected trip interruptions.
If reports are to go by, this uptick in Indian outbound travel to Europe is more than just a post-pandemic rebound.
It highlights the trends in lifestyle, income growth, and global curiosity too. With easier access to online visa services, flexible flight options, and greater insurance awareness, Indian travellers are increasingly becoming more confident in exploring European destinations.
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It's anticipated that this pattern will persist throughout the year, especially as the summer and festival seasons draw near.
The early 2025 trend suggests that Europe, and Germany in particular, will likely see a constant influx of Indian tourists looking for everything from modern cities and cultural events to picturesque countryside and old castles.
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