Indian nationals made a record 3.27 crore trips abroad in 2025, according to the Ministry of Tourism. The ministry released these figures in its Annual Tourism Snapshot 2025. Notably, the data on India outbound travel 2025 comes from the Bureau of Immigration. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remained the top destination. Saudi Arabia and Thailand came next. Hence, the data reflects growing Indian demand for foreign travel.
Record 3.27 Crore Departures
Indian national departures reached 3,27,05,326 in 2025. In comparison, the figure for 2024 stood at 3,08,85,048. So, outbound travel grew by 5.89 per cent in one year. Moreover, it stood about 21.5 per cent above the pre-pandemic level of 2019.
Top Destinations for Indian Travellers
The UAE drew 26.3 per cent of all departures. Next, Saudi Arabia took 10.3 per cent. Then came Thailand at 6.8 per cent and the USA at 6.1 per cent. Finally, Singapore completed the top five with 4.7 per cent.
Why Indians Travel Abroad
Leisure accounted for 43.5 per cent of trips. Meanwhile, diaspora visits made up 34.1 per cent and business trips 14.6 per cent. Pilgrimage formed 3.7 per cent of departures.
Inbound Tourism Fell in 2025
By contrast, foreign tourist arrivals fell 9.40 per cent to 90.2 lakh in 2025. Notably, arrivals from Bangladesh dropped 73.4 per cent to 4.66 lakh. Also, foreign exchange earnings from tourism fell to US$31.33 billion (Rs 2,73,638 crore).
Latest Update (September 2026)
Later, the India Tourism Data Compendium 2026 reported outbound departures of 3.28 crore, up 6.3 per cent. It also put foreign tourist arrivals at 91.49 lakh, as reported in September 2026.
India Outbound Travel 2025: Key Facts for Revision
- Departures in 2025: 3,27,05,326 (provisional)
- Growth: 5.89 per cent over 2024
- Top destinations: UAE 26.3%, Saudi Arabia 10.3%, Thailand 6.8%
- Main purpose: Leisure, 43.5 per cent
- Data source: Bureau of Immigration, via Ministry of Tourism
- Foreign tourist arrivals: 90.2 lakh, down 9.40 per cent
Why India Outbound Travel 2025 Matters for UPSC and UKPSC
Notably, UPSC tests tourism data, the balance of payments and the Indian diaspora in GS-III. So, remember the total departures, the top three destinations and the fall in foreign arrivals. Also, link the outbound boom with the gap between tourism spending and earnings. For official updates, also visit the Ministry of Tourism. Next, for a related story, read about India’s tourism sector statistics.
So, are you preparing for the UKPSC Upper PCS 2026 prelims? Then join our UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series for regular practice.