Skipping foreign trips? Here are Indian alternatives to Bali, Thailand and more

Amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged Indians to defer non-essential spending and support the domestic economy. Among his suggestions was a call to postpone non-essential foreign travel for at least a year.“The growing culture of weddings abroad, travelling abroad, and vacationing abroad is becoming prevalent among the middle class. We must decide that during this time of crisis, we should postpone travelling abroad for at least a year,” he said.International destination - Indian alternative■ Phuket - North Goa■ Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, Singapore - Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad■ Maldives - Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands■ UK - Shimla, Mussoorie, Darjeeling■ Switzerland - Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand■ Bali - Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Gokarna■ Thailand - Goa, Pondicherry, Kerala■ Vietnam - Meghalaya, Sikkim, Northeast India■ Dubai - Udaipur, Jaipur, luxury destinations across Rajasthan From Rikant Pittie, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, Ravi Gosain, President, IATO and Cleartrip’s PeekABoo Travel Trends TrackerInternational travel disruptions are not newThis is not the first time Indians have had to rethink international travel plans. During the COVID-19 pandemic, lockdowns, travel bubbles, and border restrictions brought global tourism to a near standstill. For months, air travel remained virtually impossible, pushing many travellers to either stay home or opt for domestic road trips while following strict safety measures.As restrictions eased, domestic tourism saw a revival. Thanks to flexible work arrangements, hill stations, short getaways, and long work-from-home stays became increasingly popular.Another major disruption came after the Russia-Ukraine war began. According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), in 2022, 36 countries – including EU nations, the UK, and the US – closed their airspace to Russian airlines. Russia responded by banning airlines from many of those countries from entering or flying over Russian airspace. Several carriers from countries not directly impacted by sanctions also temporarily reduced flights to and from Russia, including airlines in Japan and South Korea.Now, the West Asia crisis is once again creating uncertainty around global travel. While airlines initially responded by rerouting flights, rising geopolitical tensions and concerns over fuel prices are increasingly prompting travellers to rethink domestic alternatives, a shift now also backed by the government.‘Travellers are increasingly exploring Indian destinations that offer similar experiences’Indian travellers have long preferred international destinations that combine leisure, scenic beauty, affordability, luxury, and convenient connectivity. Some of the most popular outbound destinations among Indian tourists include Switzerland, Bali, Thailand, Vietnam, Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK. However, travel experts say India offers several destinations that can deliver comparable experiences closer to home. Rikant Pittie, CEO & Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip, says, “India today offers equally compelling alternatives across beaches, mountains, wellness, luxury, and experiential travel. With growing interest in domestic tourism, many travellers are increasingly exploring Indian destinations that offer similar experiences closer to home.”‘Indian destinations are increasingly offering experiences once associated with global hotspots’Indian destinations mirror the appeal of popular international hotspots while offering culturally-rooted experiences. Ravi Gosain, President, IATO, shares, “Mumbai is known for luxurious accommodations, shopping opportunities, and nightlife, while Goa and Kerala offer beach vacations, wellness retreats, and vibrant lifestyles similar to those enjoyed in Thailand. Bengaluru and Hyderabad are emerging as modern urban centres with convention travel, infrastructure, and cosmopolitan lifestyles comparable to Singapore. Visitors to Lakshadweep and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are welcomed by pristine beaches, clear blue waters, and exclusive island experiences reminiscent of the Maldives. Similarly, destinations such as Shimla, Mussoorie, and Darjeeling offer colonial charm, natural beauty, and cultural heritage that appeal to travellers seeking experiences associated with parts of the UK.”Cleartrip’s PeekABoo Travel Trends Tracker highlighted similar comparisons. Bali finds an equivalent in Goa and Andaman for their blend of beaches. Phuket mirrors North Goa with its energetic beach and nightlife culture. Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Singapore align with cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, reflecting their pace, food culture, shopping appeal, and modern lifestyle-driven experiences.