Travel surge: Indian tourists flock to Moscow, Vietnam, Japan; geopolitical shifts reshape holiday picks

Indian travellers are powering a sharp rise in tourist numbers across several overseas destinations this year, with Moscow, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea and Georgia reporting strong double-digit growth. The upswing comes even as Azerbaijan and Turkey have fallen out of favour following their support for Pakistan during Operation Sindoor.Moscow has emerged as one of the biggest gainers. In the first half of 2025, the Russian capital received 40,800 Indian tourists, a 40% jump from a year earlier, making India its second-largest source of arrivals outside the former Soviet Union, behind China, according to an ET report. According to data from the Moscow City Tourism Committee, nearly 94% of all summer bookings at three- to five-star hotels on platform Ostrovok came from non-CIS travellers, up from 85% last year, with Indians featuring prominently in the premium segment. The city has seen a lift from e-visas issued in four days without invitations or hotel confirmations. Moscow expects to welcome up to six million international tourists annually by 2030.Vietnam, meanwhile, continues to be a standout. The country recorded 443,000 visitors from India in the first eight months of 2025, up 42.2% from last year. Rising demand has prompted MakeMyTrip to roll out new packages to Phu Quoc, supported by upcoming direct flights from Air India Express. “New destinations are emerging within Thailand and Vietnam and are driving demand,” said MakeMyTrip cofounder and group CEO Rajesh Magow, who added that bookings for Azerbaijan and Turkey have been impacted by geopolitical developments. The Philippines is also seeing renewed interest after removing visa requirements for Indians.Japan has seen a notable spike as well. As per preliminary data from the Japan National Travel Organization, the country received 233,400 Indian visitors between January and September, a 36.6% rise from a year earlier. Thomas Cook India said Japan, Vietnam and Sri Lanka have reported a strong season. “An appreciating rupee versus the Sri Lankan rupee and Vietnam’s dong has made the destinations even more attractive,” said Rajeev Kale, president and country head for holidays, MICE and visa. Demand for Japan is translating into longer stays, with travellers adding Sapporo to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.Georgia recorded 103,968 Indian visitors in the first nine months of this year, up 19%. “This strong upward trend reflects rising appeal, enhanced connectivity and deeper partnerships with Indian travel companies,” said Maia Omiadze, head of the Georgian National Tourism Administration. She added that India remains one of Georgia’s fastest-growing source markets.South Korea, which continues to benefit from the popularity of K-pop, K-drama and K-beauty, received 153,619 Indian tourists between January and September — a 13% increase. “We are also seeing rising interest in Busan, Gangneung and Gyeongju,” said Myong Kil Yun, regional director for India and SAARC at Korea Tourism Organization.Dubai remains a major draw for Indians as well. The emirate received 2.05 million South Asian visitors in the first nine months of 2025, contributing to its overall tally of 13.95 million international overnight tourists, up 5% year-on-year. “We aim to consolidate growth through the final quarter, backed by strong travel interest, expanded air connectivity and a vibrant events calendar,” said Bader Ali Habib of Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.Industry players say the Philippines is also rising fast on the back of visa-free entry. “It offers value for money and a variety of experiences,” said S.D. Nandakumar, president and country head for holidays and corporate tours at SOTC Travel.