As global adventure travel continues to shift toward deeper cultural immersion, nature-based experiences, and responsible practices, India’s outbound adventure market is emerging as one of the most dynamic and influential in Asia. With a rapidly growing middle class, soaring disposable incomes, and a younger generation eager for meaningful travel, India is transitioning from primarily domestic soft-adventure travel to a more diverse, international, and sustainability-driven segment.
This article is based on an AdventureCONNECT held virtually in the ATTA member HUB in November 2025. To attend future events like this, check out our ATTA events calendar.
During this recent conversation, industry experts from India joined ATTA’s Asia-Pacific team to explore evolving traveler behaviors, motivations, and expectations. Their insights reveal a market that is maturing quickly—while retaining the cultural nuances that set Indian adventure travelers apart.
A Broadening Definition of Adventure
In the global tourism landscape, adventure travel has evolved from a niche interest into one of the industry’s most influential segments. According to recent ATTA research, the global outbound adventure travel market reached an estimated $1.16 trillion in 2024, rising from $683 billion in 2017 and achieving a compound annual growth rate of roughly 8%.
Three decades ago, adventure travel in India largely meant physically demanding pursuits—trekking high passes, climbing peaks, and whitewater expeditions. Today, Indian travelers are shifting toward experiences that prioritize connection over conquest.
The data underscores just how widespread this shift has become. ATTA’s recent market sizing and segmentation research shows that 77% of India’s outbound travelers are Open to Adventure, including one of the world’s highest proportions of Adventure Intensives (20%) and Nature & Wildlife enthusiasts (23%), alongside smaller segments of Cultural Explorers (18%) and Experience Samplers (16%). Taken together, these patterns reveal that Indian travelers are not defined by a single style of adventure, but instead span a broad spectrum of motivations—from challenge and wilderness immersion to curiosity, learning, and multi-activity exploration.
Rajesh Ojha of Banjara Experiences noted that previously, “the activity was the hero” - travelers wanted simple accommodations paired with physically strenuous pursuits. Over time, Indian travelers began seeking more comfort, interpretation of nature and culture, and experiential depth, from flora-and-fauna learning to heritage immersion to gastronomy.
Aquaterra Adventures’ founder Vaibhav Kala added that adventure has moved “from adrenaline to authenticity” and “from risk to well-being,” with travelers increasingly motivated by mindfulness, balance, and nature connection rather than extreme feats. Experiences like village walks, forest bathing, volunteering, and craft learning now sit comfortably under India’s evolving adventure umbrella.
This shift mirrors global adventure trends, but with India’s own flavor of inclusivity, consciousness, and cultural diversity.
Who Is the Indian Adventure Traveler Today?
Though India’s population is vast and diverse, several common characteristics emerged from the discussion:
1. Urban, Educated, and Globally Exposed: Most adventure travelers come from major metros and have international awareness shaped by work, education, and digital media. They are well-read, highly informed, and increasingly sustainability minded.
2. Soft Adventure Still Dominates—But Hard Adventure is Rising: The bulk of India’s adventure market is still soft adventure: short hikes, cycling, camping, river trips, and accessible outdoor experiences. But an expanding cohort is now pursuing more technical trekking and mountaineering both domestically and abroad. “This niche is now growing in India,” Ojha and Kala emphasized.
3. Group-Oriented, Not Solo: Indians prefer small groups—friends, families, colleagues, or joining fixed departures. Solo adventure travel remains less common compared to Western markets. Female-only travel groups are also becoming popular around the world, and the trend holds true for Indian travelers.
4. Highly Active on Social Media: Indian travelers rely heavily on Instagram, peer reviews, and visually driven storytelling when choosing destinations and experiences. Maintaining a strong, engaging presence—especially with high-quality images, reels, and user-generated content—can significantly influence their decision-making. Since “travel for the gram” is a major motivator, showcasing photogenic moments, iconic viewpoints, and unique cultural encounters can meaningfully boost appeal.
5. Sustainability Is Increasingly Influential: Environmentally conscious travelers—especially those already involved in hard adventure—respond strongly to responsible tourism practices and low-impact experiences. There is increasing awareness of sustainability due in part to historically poor air quality in parts of India, and this will become more important to Indian travelers.
Taste, Comfort, and Service: The Indian Travel DNA
One theme surfaced repeatedly: Indian travelers care deeply about food, comfort, and service quality.
Food Preferences: Food is central to Indian identity. While many seek local cuisine when abroad, a meaningful portion appreciates occasional Indian meals—especially vegetarians or travelers with dietary restrictions. Vegetarianism remains common, and even non-vegetarians tend to prefer poultry or eggs over red meat.
Comfort & Service Expectations: India’s hospitality sector is known for high staff-to-guest ratios and attentive service. As a result, outbound Indian travelers often expect seamless “end-to-end service,” which may be more demanding than travelers from countries accustomed to leaner staffing.
Cost Conscious—Even at Higher Budgets: While Indians increasingly spend on premium experiences, they remain value-driven. Transparency in tiered pricing, clear inclusions, and trust in safety standards heavily influence buying decisions.
Domestic Foundations: India’s Adventure Boom at Home: India’s own adventure landscape has expanded dramatically in the last decade. Trekking—especially in the Himalayas—has grown into a massive domestic industry, with hundreds of new operators emerging. Soft adventure destinations like Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, the Northeast, the Western Ghats, and coastal regions attract millions of domestic visitors annually.
This thriving domestic scene plays a crucial role: it introduces Indians to the outdoors early, builds skills, and gradually fuels interest in international expeditions.
A Growing Appetite for International Adventures
Though still a smaller segment, India’s outbound adventure market is accelerating quickly. Trips to Southeast Asia are becoming much more common, as the region is easily accessible from India with lots of flights, many visa-free destinations and similar cultures but with their own character. Indian travelers are also booking:
- Treks in Europe
- Kilimanjaro and African safaris
- Central Asian overland journeys
- Polar expeditions to Antarctica
Kala noted that his company has successfully run international trips this year across Africa, Europe, and South America—evidence of India’s expanding global footprint. Crucially, these travelers favor:
- Short, modular itineraries that fit into long weekends or limited leave
- Small groups or fixed departures
- Experiential add-ons, from photography to gastronomy
- Clear grading, safety standards, and certified guides
- Visa-free or easy visa destinations
For destinations seeking to attract Indian adventure travelers, these elements are key.
How to Sell Adventure to the Indian Market
Based on the expert discussion, several best practices emerged for destinations and operators looking to effectively engage Indian adventure travelers:
1. Lead With Service and Communication: Fast responses, WhatsApp communication, seamless booking infrastructure, and end-to-end support matter greatly (WhatsApp remains the dominant channel across India and much of Asia). Having patience with Indian outbound operators is also key, as they may have questions about new unfamiliar markets.
2. Prioritize Food & Dietary Flexibility: Offer thoughtfully prepared vegetarian or vegan options. On longer itineraries, consider incorporating familiar Indian dishes or flavor profiles, which can provide a sense of home, reduce food fatigue, and show cultural awareness.
3. Provide Transparent, Value-Focused Pricing and Simplified Payments: Break down inclusions clearly, avoid hidden costs, and offer tiered options. Simplifying payments through India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) has transformed travel behavior and boosted spending, as Indian travelers increasingly expect cash-free, instant mobile transactions wherever they go.
4. Highlight Safety: Clear communication around safety is essential for building trust with Indian travelers, who often prioritize reassurance when booking adventure experiences. Prominently showcase guide certifications, high-quality equipment standards, and well-defined emergency protocols across your website, social channels, and pre-trip materials.
5. Lean Into Culture & Community: Incorporating community interactions, traditional crafts, storytelling, and opportunities to learn from residents can deepen engagement and elevate overall appeal. Meaningful cultural immersion not only enriches the journey but also aligns with the growing desire among Indian travelers to return home with stories, understanding, and a sense of connection.
6. Showcase Sustainability: Environmentally responsible experiences, community involvement, and low-impact practices resonate with India’s globally exposed adventure audience. Clearly communicating sustainable actions—through storytelling, visuals, and on-trip interpretation—can strongly resonate with Indian guests who want their travels to align with their values.
India’s Next Chapter in Global Adventure Travel
India’s adventure travel sector is no longer niche—it is swiftly becoming one of Asia’s most important outbound markets. With more Indians than ever embracing trekking, cycling, wellness experiences, and international expeditions, the adventure industry’s future will undoubtedly include a strong Indian voice.
For destinations and operators worldwide, understanding the cultural nuances, expectations, and evolving motivations of Indian adventure travelers is essential. As India steps confidently into the global adventure arena, the opportunity to engage this vibrant, growing community has never been greater.