BENGALURU: Indian travellers are redefining the festive season, with solo trips and millennials leading the way. Visa platform Atlys said it processed around 15,000 visa applications for the travels in the month of October 2025, with 71.5% meant for solo travellers, signalling a shift from India’s family-centric holiday traditions. Millennials made up 53.5% of applicants, followed by Gen Z at 29.7% and Gen X at 14.6%, while men comprised 75.9% of total applications.Short-haul, affordable destinations dominated as the UAE, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia and Sri Lanka accounted for most outbound travel. Beyond Asia, Germany emerged as the top Schengen choice, with nearly two-thirds of visas issued for the country tied to Oktoberfest-related travel, largely from male solo travellers in their 20s and 30s.“Festive travel in India has always revolved around family reunions, but this year we’re witnessing something different,” said Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of Atlys. “Travellers are using long weekends to explore new destinations and experiences abroad, turning traditional holidays into opportunities for cultural discovery.”Nahta added that consecutive long weekends and higher disposable incomes are prompting Indians to “plan smarter and explore more confidently.” Atlys said outbound visa demand has been steadily rising this year, with festivals increasingly becoming occasions for global exploration rather than just homecoming.
