Japan Emerges as Top Destination for Indian Travellers

Tourism from India to Japan is nearly doubling each year, highlighted by VFS Global founder Zubin Karkaria at the NDTV World Summit 2026. Thanks to rising disposable incomes and surge in international trips, Japan stands as the most popular destination for Indians, especially first-time travellers.

Why Japan Is Winning Over Indian Travellers in 2026

The VFS Global founder and CEO, Karkaria noted that Japan’s rising popularity in India is largely because of its increased affordability and pop culture appeal. Compared to five years ago, Japan has become much more accessible and affordable for students and young holidaymakers.

At the same time, where people go often depends on their travel experience. First-time visitors usually prefer broad package tours, while experienced travellers look for specific food, art, and cultural trips.

India’s Growing Role in Global Tourism

India is now one of the largest markets for VFS Global, with more families travelling and sending their children abroad for higher education. This represents a dramatic change from the 1980s, when strict foreign exchange limits kept overseas holidays out of reach for a huge Indian population.

Reflecting this expanding influence, New Delhi will host the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) conference in 2027. India won the bid over 22 competing destinations to be the host for WTTC. Beyond holiday travel, Karkaria also pointed out that the global economy will require 30 to 40 million skilled workers by 2030. He suggested that this gap is can be helped fill by India's young population.

Key Summit Announcements	Details
Top Growth Destination	Japan
Upcoming Global Event	WTTC Tourism Conference 2027
Host City for WTTC 2027	New Delhi
Global Workforce Shortage	30 to 40 million skilled workers needed globally by 2030

Smarter Borders and the Future of Travel

Looking ahead, artificial intelligence and biometric systems are set to make airport checkpoints much faster and easier. Modern setups, such as Dubai Airport's smart tunnel, already allow eligible passengers to clear immigration seamlessly without taking out their passports or boarding passes.

Even so, Karkaria clarified that international borders will not disappear. While electronic passports and digital scans will reduce waiting times, formal border controls and security checks will remain firmly in place.