India witnesses 65% growth in visa-easy destination bookings: OYO’s Report
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Dubai tops list with 3x YOY growth in bookings by Indian families; Bali sees rise in couples and honeymoon travellers.
OYO has released its International Summer Holidays Travelopedia 2025, revealing the trends shaping how Indians are travelling overseas this summer. The report highlights 65% YOY growth in visa-easy destination bookings by Indian travellers in H1 2025 underscoring a shift in preferences driven by relaxed visa policies, enhanced air connectivity, and a growing appetite for premium experiences. Some of the most popular destinations on this list include Dubai, Bali, and Bangkok, among others. OYO has a strong network of 50 premium hotels in these countries including 23 in Southeast Asia and 27 in the Middle East, mostly under the SUNDAY and Palette brand names.
Dubai has emerged as the leading international destination for Indian families, registering a record 3X year-on-year growth in bookings, fueled by five-year multiple-entry visa for Indian nationals that mostly include family travellers and budget business travellers. Bali, meanwhile, has seen a surge in bookings from couples and honeymooners, reflecting its status as a romantic getaway of choice.
In H1 2025, OYO added 13 new premium properties across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. The report reveals that Sunday Mega Hotel at Sheikh Zayed Road in Dubai and Super OYO Townhouse Hotel Gunung Sahari in Jakarta, Indonesia are the most booked properties in this period.
Indian travellers favor 5–7-day trips for Southeast Asia and 3-5 days for the middle east, making the most of long weekends and holidays, while long-haul destinations in Europe and the US see stays of 10–15 days. Proximity to beaches, nightlife, and easy access to cultural attractions are the most sought-after features among OYO’s Indian guests.
Bali and Dubai are emerging as popular choices in visa easy countries for destination weddings according to the booking patterns recorded by OYO Total Holidays-OYO's platform for providing travel solutions. Additionally, digital nomads are choosing Indonesia and Malaysia for affordable living, reliable connectivity, and vibrant coworking spaces.
Commenting on the development, Ankit Tandon, Global CBO and CEO, OYO Vacation Homes, Southeast Asia, Middle East, Latin America, OYO said “Our premium property expansion program includes both hotels and serviced apartments, designed to meet the needs of business and leisure travellers alike. In the UAE, we have a network of over 400 premium apartments in Abu Dhabi and 350+ in Dubai, catering primarily to professionals seeking long-term stays. At the same time, we are rapidly growing our portfolio of premium hotels across leading tourist destinations in Asia, including Dubai, Bali, Bangkok, Pattaya, Kuala Lumpur, Langkawi, Jeddah, Riyadh, Angeles, and many others.”
OYO plans to further expand its premium offerings in emerging global hotspots, with a focus on aspirational properties and personalised guest experiences.
The surge in outbound travel is closely linked to government initiatives promoting “ease of travel,” including an increasing number of visa-free or visa-on-arrival countries for Indians and stable foreign exchange rates. These developments, coupled with OYO’s expanding global network of premium properties, are empowering more Indians to explore the world with confidence and convenience.
OYO International Summer Holidays Travelopedia 2025 report aims to serve as a guide for industry stakeholders, including hospitality businesses, tour operators, and policymakers, enabling them to adapt and cater to evolving traveller demands.
