By Anirudh Singh, COO of Europe and CIS region at VFS Global.
Travel from the UK to India experiences a significant surge in December, aligning with the holiday season and favourable winter weather across many regions of India. This period is particularly popular among the Indian diaspora living in the UK, who often travel back to meet family and friends.
India welcomed approximately 9.5 million foreign tourists in 2023, with the UK contributing significantly to this number. About 920,000 visitors came from the UK, making it the third largest market for inbound tourism to India. Among these visitors, over 46% travelled for leisure and recreation purposes.
Notably, in the year leading up to June 2024, the Indian diaspora made up 25% of all UK tourists, highlighting the importance of this demographic in the overall travel statistics. The combination of winter holidays and cultural events makes December one of the busiest months for UK-based Indian families.
A recent report indicates that India’s inbound tourism industry is on a strong recovery trajectory, with projections estimating around 10.1 million international visitors by the end of 2024. This figure is close to pre-pandemic levels, as India recorded 10.9 million visitors in 2019, according to Booking.com’s “How India Travels 2024 – The Inbound Edit” report.
Aligning with ongoing efforts to boost tourism, Indian airline- Air India announced a significant expansion of its UK routes for the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2024. The airline will increase flight frequencies on several key routes, enhancing connectivity between India and the United Kingdom.
The UK is also a highly popular international destination for Indians. In the year ending June 2024, the UK processed nearly 1 million visa applications from India, highlighting strong travel demand between the two countries.
According to Lindy Cameron, the British High Commissioner to India, Indian nationals were the largest group to receive UK visas for visit, study, and work categories in the year ending June 2024.
“The UK-India partnership is built on millions of personal connections, shared dreams, and collective aspirations. We’re introducing significant improvements in our visa services across India, further strengthening our already excellent visa offering for Indian nationals,” she said.
To ensure a smooth and enjoyable holiday, careful planning is key. Below are some tips on how to make the most of your festive travel:
- Booking Flights and Accommodation: Timing is All Important
When planning a trip during the festive season, timing your bookings can significantly impact your overall travel experience. Generally, booking your flights and hotels well in advance can save you money, as prices tend to rise closer to the festive dates due to high demand.
As for Christmas travel, according to a recent holiday travel report from Google Flights, prices have historically been lowest 58 days before departure, meaning the ideal timeframe for booking Christmas flights is in late October. The low-price booking range for Christmas travel is between 36 and 72 days out.
If you’re flexible with your travel dates, you may be able to find better deals later on. For example, flying on Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve is often cheaper than flying on the days leading up to or after the holiday.
- Visa and Documentation: Check in Advance
If you’re planning a trip during the festive season, ensure you check the visa requirements of the destination you intend to visit. Obtaining a visa can take time, so start the application process early to avoid any last-minute hassles. You must have a visa to visit India unless you are an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder.
India has a number of visa categories. Make sure you get the right visa for your travel for example business visa for work-related trips, tourist visas for tourism purposes.
To ease the process, VFS Global offers a Visa at Your Doorstep (VAYD) service – an optional service that allows applicants to complete their visa application process where they are, instead of having to visit a visa centre in select locations.
This streamlined service not only saves valuable time but also addresses any challenges of travelling to a visa application centre, for example if you live some distance away from one. Particularly advantageous for large groups, the VAYD service enables the processing of multiple applications simultaneously, eliminating the need for multiple in-person appointments.
Additionally, double-check your passport’s expiration date. To enter India, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the date you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages.
- Cyber Threats and Online Security: Stay Vigilant
In this digital age, ensuring your online security while traveling is paramount. As you prepare for a holiday, it’s essential to consider the security of your digital devices. From smartphones to laptops, these devices hold valuable personal information that can be vulnerable to cyber threats when you’re away from home.
Be cautious of cyber threats such as phishing scams, fraudulent websites, and unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Cybercriminals are often more active during the festive season, so it’s important to be extra cautious especially when using your credit and debit cards online.
Use a reliable virtual private network (VPN) to encrypt your online activities and avoid accessing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi. Keep your devices updated with the latest security patches and avoid clicking on suspicious links or providing personal information to unknown sources. You should also use a strong password for your email and online accounts and enable two-factor authentication wherever possible.
