In a world increasingly shaped by shifting geopolitical power dynamics, the ripple effects are being felt far beyond situation rooms and war zones. They are hitting runways, visa counters, and travel itineraries. As geopolitical tensions rise and travel, once again, feels vulnerable, TTJ turns to a cross-section of key voices in the tourism industry to ask: Will the current global realignment reshape the business of travel?
Tourism has witnessed unprecedented growth over the past decade. Incredible India, once a rising star on the global tourism map, experienced a remarkable run until the pandemic brought global tourism and the world to a standstill. In the aftermath, recovery was slow and uneven. However, when it came back, it did so with force. Outbound and domestic tourism emerged as the twin drivers powering India’s resurgence as a formidable player in the global travel landscape. According to Statista, in 2024, India’s travel and tourism sector contributed approximately 256 billion USD to the country’s GDP, projected to reach 523 billion USD by 2034.
A World in Chaos
Today, the world finds itself in a new era of uncertainty. Geopolitical tensions from escalating conflicts in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and the US are beginning to cast a shadow over tourism prospects not only for the countries involved but also for the world. The United States government issued a Level 2 travel advisory to India on June 16, 2025, advising its citizens to ‘exercise increased caution’ due to concerns over crime and tourism. This advisory highlights America’s limited capacity to provide emergency services to US citizens in rural areas of India. It also warns women against travelling alone in India, while urging US citizens to review their personal security plans and remain alert to their surroundings.
As tensions across the world escalate from wars and trade disputes to visa bans and restructured alliances, tourism is no longer immune. Entire corridors of movement are vanishing, flights are being rerouted, visas are being suspended, and tourism boards once overflowing with international arrivals are watching bookings vanish. Travel, once again, feels vulnerable as global power structures realign and partnerships between nations undergo transformation. Tourism, more than many other industries, is directly affected by escalating geopolitical tensions, since it is a sector that is fundamentally dependent on open borders, diplomatic stability, and the free movement of people. It now faces a moment of reckoning. What does this bode for Indian tourism?
Manav Soni, Chairman, TAAI Tourism Council
The industry is responding proactively, says Soni, with closer monitoring of travel advisories, investment in risk mitigation, and enhanced customer education. “Flexible booking policies and dynamic planning tools are reshaping supplier partnerships,” he shares. While route diversions are raising costs, airlines are adapting with alternative stopovers and improved communication to reassure passengers. Despite current challenges, he remains optimistic about India’s outbound travel prospects, but cautions that adaptability, transparency, and safety will be key to sustaining traveller trust.
Vasudha Sondhi, Managing Director, Outbound Marketing India
Emphasising the industr
y’s vulnerability to geopolitical turbulence, Sondhi notes, “The travel and hospitality industry is very fragile and is held ransom by shifting geopolitics.” Witnessing an evident slowdown in queries, she says, “Air India has reduced or stopped a majority of their international flights, and people are adopting a wait-and-watch approach, while incoming flights from Europe are either being rescheduled or rerouted. Reduced travel from key markets such as the U.S. is further weakening demand.”
She predicts that regional tourism will strengthen globally within Asia, as well as within Europe, and domestic tourism in India will continue on its upward momentum. She also expects destination weddings to international destinations to be impacted, and high-profile celebrations may increasingly move to destinations within the country. She believes that the pandemic has taught travel professionals to diversify beyond single-market expertise. Today’s travel designers are curating experiences both within India and internationally, ensuring resilience in the face of evolving global dynamics.
Mahendra Vakharia, Managing Director, Pathfinder Holidays
Having witnessed just how swiftly global power shifts can disrupt well-laid travel plans, he observes, “When nations enter conflict and get into war-like situations, it impacts all walks of life. Travel is, in fact, one of the first industries to be impacted. Closure of borders and airspace significantly disrupts travel itineraries, and making alternative arrangements on short notice is an expensive affair.”
Though the impact of geopolitical disruptions may be unavoidable, Vakharia offers a measured perspective, stressing the importance of remaining calm and composed as an industry. “On the ground, we have to take immediate action by making alternate arrangements for our clients and ensuring their safety while remaining in constant contact to avoid panic. Fortunately, as we have seen before, such disruptions tend to be temporary and do not usually have a long-term impact, which is a relief!”
Meeta Shah, CEO, Flamingo Transworld
She does not mince words when assessing the global travel climate and says, “Given the geopolitical environment prevailing currently, we at Flamingo believe that this uncertainty will continue to manifest in different forms and across various international destinations.” She warns that challenges will continue to emerge, so the industry must be prepared to adapt and recover.
While tourism demand remains strong, she stresses the need to modernise internal systems from booking mechanisms and cancellation policies to trend forecasting and product development to stay agile in an increasingly volatile world. As new technologies reshape the market and unforeseen crises emerge, future-readiness will be the key to survival. Shah also calls for financial resilience, urging the trade to collectively push for better rollover of deposits during crises as a necessary buffer in turbulent times. She urges her compatriots to come together as an industry and prioritise the safety of customers.
Vinod Sharma, President, TACT
He reflects on the past few years as nothing short of a rollercoaster ride for the global travel industry, shaken by war, terrorism, and aviation tragedies. He notes, “The Ukraine-Russia war has halted leisure travel, and students who once flocked to the destination have now relocated. The terror attack in Pahalgam not only made the nation’s heart bleed, but also halted the local Kashmiri economy that thrives on tourism. The India-Pakistan tensions significantly impacted air connectivity, leading to widespread cancellations of flights to destinations such as Azerbaijan and Turkey. He adds, “Travel advisors faced major losses as clients backed out of pre-planned trips, but many pivoted quickly, demonstrating our resilience as an industry and redirected travellers to safer options like Mauritius, Vietnam, Thailand, and Singapore, proving that flexibility and foresight are now essential tools in our kit.”
Through all these insurmountable challenges, Sharma asserts, “We, the passionate custodians of this industry, continue to stand tall, adapt, and evolve. Despite everything, tourism remains a pillar of India’s GDP and a source of livelihood for millions. As an industry, we have already weathered the worst storm: the COVID-19 pandemic. If we could rise from that darkness, these newer challenges, while serious, are manageable with unity, professionalism, and resilience.”
Hemant Mendiratta, Founder, One Rep Global
History suggests that when political instability and strained international relations come into play, travel restrictions and uncertainty often follow. This, in turn, usually leads to fewer tourists, hurting a country’s image and impacting both inbound visitors to India and outbound Indian travellers. But within this uncertainty lies a strategic opportunity. Strong regional cooperation, as established by the European Union, proves that when nations collaborate, tourism flourishes.
Speaking from his experience in the business, Mendiratta shares that while uncertainty can dampen travel, it also creates opportunities for those ready to adapt. India, too, can seize this moment by doubling down on its distinctive strengths. He suggests, “India should double down on its unique, high-value tourism offerings such as wellness retreats, adventure travel, and heritage tours, that attract intentional, resilient travellers who are less likely to cancel due to geopolitical instability because they are travelling with intent, not impulse. Secondly, India should launch a ‘Safe & Smart Tourism’ global tourism campaign positioning the country as a safe, sustainable, and digitally connected destination, to signal to the world that it is not only welcoming, but future-ready as well.”
Mohammad Azam, President – TTAUP
He echoes the thoughts shared that tourism remains among the most vulnerable sectors to geopolitical unrest. “Destinations like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, and Armenia, once favoured by Indian travellers, have seen a steep decline due to airspace closures and mounting uncertainties. Travel across Central and Eastern Europe has also been hit hard. In contrast, Southeast Asia has emerged as a safe, accessible, and politically neutral region. For professionals who pivoted quickly, Southeast Asia became a cushion in a volatile season,” Azam notes, pointing to the rise in MICE, leisure, and honeymoon travel to Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
For Azam, the message is clear: “Resilience and agility are more important than ever. In this shifting landscape, the industry’s role is clear: guide travellers wisely, adapt swiftly, and ensure that the spirit of exploration endures.”
Sandeep Bhasin, Managing Director, BINGO Travels
He notes that travel to the Middle East and Europe was significantly disrupted as flights were forced to take alternate routes; however, these challenges also shifted demand toward safer, more accessible destinations. Countries like Singapore, Malaysia, and Mauritius saw a surge in interest as travellers sought stability. While renewed COVID concerns briefly slowed momentum, particularly in Singapore, Mauritius remained resilient. “Mauritius is still going strong, and business from West, North, as well as South India has increased. But business to the Maldives remains sluggish,” he adds, highlighting the uneven nature of the recovery across destinations.
Jaspreet Bhatia, President, Chhattisgarh Travel Trade Association
Pointing out the tourism sector’s vulnerability to global upheavals, he says, “Just as we began recovering from the pandemic, a new wave of geopolitical crises has disrupted travel routes and eroded traveller confidence. Popular destinations like Baku and Turkey saw a sharp decline in demand, while travel agents faced relentless crisis management and constant client reassurance. Yet amidst the chaos, a shift emerged as travellers turned to domestic exploration of destinations across India.”
He believes that this period of uncertainty only highlighted the irreplaceable value of experienced travel agents over digital platforms. Destinations perceived as peaceful, such as Japan, Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Bali, experienced rising demand, reinforcing that trust, expertise, and adaptability are key to sustaining travel through global instability.
Rohit Shorey, CEO, Kazin DMC
He reflects on the far-reaching impact of global conflicts, highlighting how uncertainty has disrupted travel even in regions untouched by violence. “At Kazin DMC, we have felt this firsthand. Despite our destinations, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Belarus, being peaceful and far removed from these flashpoints, we faced mass cancellations and significant revenue loss during our peak season. The challenges were not due to safety concerns, but a sharp dip in overall traveller confidence,” he shares.
This sentiment, he believes, has affected even the most stable destinations, underscoring the fragility of tourism in the face of global perceptions. He chooses to believe in the singular truth that tourism thrives on peace. Looking ahead, he adds with quiet optimism, “When the world is ready to travel again, we will be ready to welcome our travellers; stronger, safer, and more prepared than ever.”
Ritu Makhija, Director-Sustainability TOFT
She points out how recent geopolitical instability has shaken inbound tourism, leading travellers to avoid regions perceived as unsafe. Yet, she urges the industry not to retreat but to lead. “India’s travel trade has always shown incredible resilience. Even in the face of glaring uncertainty, I believe India has a unique opportunity to reaffirm its place as one of the most captivating, soulful, and welcoming destinations in the world.”
She calls on both public and private stakeholders to unite and project a bold, confident image of India. With its rich heritage, biodiversity, and commitment to sustainable tourism, India has the tools to rebuild trust and attract travellers seeking meaning and reassurance. “Now is the time to tell India’s story through a strategic digital campaign that positions India not just as a destination, but as a journey of revival. Let us lead with intention and remind the world why India is worth believing in.”
The Way Forward
The seasoned voices of India’s travel trade, who have weathered disruption time and again, offer their valuable advice on survival and speak a singular truth: travel thrives on open borders, and a healthy, connected world depends on the freedom to explore. While global uncertainties may have momentarily shaken their confidence, history has shown that tourism is inherently resilient. People return to the places they love. They seek meaning, connection, and healing through travel, as the post-pandemic resurgence has already proven.
Now is India’s moment to lead with intent and take charge of its narrative, reshape global perceptions with clarity and confidence, and reaffirm India’s significance. In a world marked by inherent instability, India’s enduring strength lies in its ability to adapt, inspire, and bounce back again.
