Why More Indians Want to Travel Than Ever — But Many Still Can't
A new report from Allianz Partners reveals that 87% of Indians plan to travel this year — well above the global average of 74%, making India the most travel-enthusiastic nation surveyed.
And yet, although travel intent in India is extremely high, actual travel frequency — especially international travel — remains much lower than aspiration. India recorded 9.5 million outbound international trips in 2024 in a country of 1.4 billion people.
The numbers tell two different stories
60% of Indians plan to holiday domestically (vs 42% global average). 74% of Indian millennials and Gen Z say travel is a non-negotiable expense. Consumer spending on experiences is projected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% through 2030.
On the other side, rising airfares have put pressure on the middle and lower-middle classes. Pre-pandemic, a one-way domestic flight averaged ₹3,300; today the same route regularly costs ₹5,000 or more.
The travel aspiration gap
Three overlapping problems: rising flight costs, travel rewards being inaccessible to most households, and existing household spending earning nothing. The average Indian urban household spends ₹60,000–₹1,44,000 per year on utility bills — and earns zero travel rewards on that spending.
The real problem is infrastructure, not aspiration
Indian households already save, budget and dream about travel. What they lack is a financial system that quietly helps them get there — converting predictable monthly bill payments into travel value.
A comparison worth considering
Bilt Rewards in the US demonstrated that recurring household expenses can become a foundation for travel rewards. India's bill payment ecosystem is different, but it raises the question: could a similar concept emerge, built around the full range of household bills?
What closing the gap would mean
A household spending ₹10,000 monthly on eligible bills could accumulate meaningful points toward a domestic redemption or a real contribution toward an international flight — funded by money that was leaving the account anyway.
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About BilTrip
BilTrip is an India-based travel rewards platform built for a global audience. BilTrip is being designed to help members earn BilTrip Points across eligible everyday activities including bills, shopping, gift cards, partner offers and travel bookings, build a Travel Balance and use their points towards participating travel rewards. BilTrip is currently under development. Features, earn rates, participating partners and reward options are subject to availability and applicable terms.
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