Is there anyone who doesn’t like travelling in this world (if yes, I call them weirdo’s). To break the routine, we enjoy packing the bags for a vacation, browsing through travel reels while daydreaming at work (Don’t tell me we don’t do daydreaming, Common Yaar, who doesn’t), or organising the ideal getaway? After all, who doesn’t occasionally love a change of scenery?
Let’s acknowledge that we Indians more than ever before are packing our bags and travelling, whether for short weekend trips or lengthy foreign vacations.
Be it Social networking (this statement might be controversial but it has been commonplace since COVID because people are craving for in-person relationships and experiences that go beyond screens), wanderlust, and the desire to get away from the 9–5 grind have made travel a lifestyle choice rather than a luxury.
Now let’s deep dive into how we Indians can’t stop travelling and how is it contributing for our economic growth.
Let’s accept the fact that our generation folks are prioritising experiences above material belongings.
This shift is driven by improved connectivity and rising disposable incomes—thanks to rapid technological advancement. These two factors are not only enabling more people to travel but are also fuelling the historic growth of the Indian travel industry.
- When it comes to financials, according to Statista: The travel and tourism industry in India is expected to develop significantly, reaching $25.01 billion in 2025.
- The travel & tourism industry is anticipated to reach about $34.11 billion by 2029, growing at a consistent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.06% from 2025 to 2029.
- Package vacations are expected to be the largest of the different divisions, with a projected market value of $11.23 billion in 2025 alone.
- By 2029, it is also projected that this market will have over 118 million users.
- By 2029, user penetration—which was 8.0% in 2025 is expected to increase to 11.8%, reflecting a larger trend towards organised travel options.
- The rising spend per traveler is highlighted by the projected average revenue per use (ARPU), which is $215.97.
Now let’s calculate TAM, SAM, SOM for this industry.
TAM or Total addressable Market:
Total Addressable Market, or TAM
This encompasses both domestic and international travel, as well as leisure and corporate travel in India.
Estimated $34.11 billion by 2029 which consists of everything from flights and lodging to activities, packages, cruises, and anything more.
SAM or Serviceable Available market:
SAM focusses on the segment of the market that is available to online platforms and digital-first businesses, such as travel applications, content-led platforms, and OTAs (Online Travel Agencies), whereas TAM encompasses the whole travel ecosystem.
This comprises tech-savvy, affluent, and tech-savvy urban and semi-urban travellers who actively book domestic or international travel online. It includes services like online reservations for hotels and flights, carefully chosen packages, weekend trips, and experiences shaped by digital content and social media.
SAM estimate: around 35–45% of TAM
By 2029, the market will be worth between $11.9 and $15.3 billion.
SOM or Serviceable obtained market
Targeted digital marketing, influencer relationships, strategic alliances with regional tourism boards, and an intuitive booking platform that caters to the demands of contemporary travellers can all help gain this market share.By 2029, the market will be worth between $238 million and $612 million.
Oh damn, I had no idea that we had gone really nerdy with all those figures and growth statistics (boring, isn’t it?). However, while discussing travel, it occurred to me that influencer-led travel is a trend that is truly fascinating and completely changing the game.
Yes, the travellers who are overflowing your feed with surreal footage and unusual experiences. They are genuinely altering the way we organise our vacations, not merely providing vibes.
Guys let’s be honest, how many times have you booked a trip using a travel brochure? Probably not. One of the most fascinating trends in the travel business right now is the rise of influencer-led travel.
You’ll be inspired to go again when you watch someone trekking through Meghalaya or enjoying coffee in a secret café in Himachal Pradesh on Instagram or YouTube. Like our modern-day travel brokers, but much
Influencers are more personable and entertaining. They show you the real stuff, including dos and don’ts, hidden gems, and how to capture the perfect sunset photo. In addition, they give the impression that travel is realistic rather than merely idealistic. It’s more than simply a trend now.
The Travel Industry and the Creator Economy: A Perfect Fit
Here’s some background information before we get into the numbers:
Decisions are influenced by creators: according to 87% of Gen Z travellers, they make travel plans after viewing online travel content.
In terms of engagement and trust, user-generated content (UGC) performs better than standard advertisements.
Micro and nano influencers are increasingly working with tourism boards, hotels, and travel businesses.
Oh yeah btw, I discovered something really interesting while learning about the market and delving into the influencer-led travel scene: some firms are really collaborating with influencers to create whole itineraries for their followers (Bro, what are you saying!! Have you gone mad).
Dude you might think I’m talking absolute rubbish but yeah, beautiful photos are no longer the only thing that matter. Brands are hopping on board to join these artists in creating authentic communities of travellers who share their interests.
Imagine personalised travel arrangements, unique experiences, and journeys that are more unique than anything a typical agency would provide. The best part? It’s like your favourite influencer turns into your unofficial travel companion. You get to see locations as they would be experienced.
Of course, there are brands which are doing this by collaborating with influencers and curating trips, but there’s one brand which is growing – Dorratrip, a brand which was started by intervenes and combines the magic at that precise moment.
About the founders
Radhika Shubhangi and Parnashi Chakraborty founded Dorratrip, their goal was simple and novel: to transform travel by fusing it with community and content production.
Experienced strategy expert Radhika Shubhangi has a strong foundation in customer service. She developed her strategic planning and operational talents at Zomato, where she held key positions as Associate Vice President and Senior Manager prior to co-founding Dorratrip. She has also held positions at RBS and Alvarez & Marsal. Radhika has a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology and an MBA from the Indian Institute of Management Calcutta.
Parnashi Chakraborty has more than 12 years of experience in supply chain operations, startups, and management consulting. She has held important positions at BCG, Unilever, and Zomato during her career. Parnashi, an INSEAD alumna, blends her strategic thinking with her love of community development and travel. Her varied expertise gives her a distinct viewpoint on designing engaging travel experiences.
When speaking with both them on what motivated them to start this company and also how have they come up with the Idea:
Both founders saw an increasing gap between the authentic, meaningful, and frequently social media-inspired travel that the younger generation desired and the generic, one-size-fits-all packages that were typically sold for travel. They observed that individuals’ decisions were influenced by travel creators, but no specific platform existed that connected these producers and their communities to engage in travel.
As a result, they developed Dorratrip, a platform that allows creators to organise carefully planned group excursions for their followers and allows travellers to bond over common passions such as yoga, art, adventure, or simply a love of exploring new places. The focus shifted from trips to creating a community of like-minded adventurers and transforming that yearning into practical experiences.
What Inspired Them
“We’re not just another travel website; we’re creating a community where travellers, influencers, come together to create life-changing experiences.
We at Dorratrip think that travel should be more than just reserving a hotel and a cab; it should be motivating, personal, and a lot more enjoyable.
To create distinctive itineraries, undiscovered treasures, and weekend getaways that aren’t found in your typical travel guide, we work with travel influencers. Dorratrip creates it—with a creator’s touch
whether you’re searching for a quiet workation in the hills, a digital detox by the beach, or a culinary adventure in a lesser-known city”.
Now let’s get into my favourite topic and that marketing:
Some of the marketing strategies that Dorratrip follows:
- Growth Engine Driven by Influencers: Dorratrip’s collaboration with content producers and travel influencers is the foundation of its marketing strategy.Dorratrip enables creators to organise their own carefully planned trips in lieu of investing heavily in traditional advertising, transforming them into micro-community builders and brand advocates.
- User generated, or UGC, spreads from each trip they lead, generating organic interest and FOMO.
- Community-Based Initiatives: Dorratrip creates communities in addition to selling travel. Every itinerary is designed around a common interest or vibe, fostering a sense of community, whether it’s an all-girls excursion, a yoga retreat, or a getaway for lone travellers. By appealing to these specialised interests, marketing helps campaigns connect with target audiences on a deeper level.
- Cobranding and strategic partnerships:Dorratrip strategically broadens its customer base beyond the travel industry by collaborating with fashion, wellness, and lifestyle firms. For instance, a trip that is co-branded with a fashion or health brand attracts new customers and enhances the experience.
- FOMO & Limited-Edition Model: Trips on Dorratrip are limited-seats, exclusive experiences, which creates urgency. This scarcity model, coupled with the excitement of traveling with a favorite creator, drives quicker decisions—no more “I’ll book it later” syndrome.
These are some of the marketing strategies which they are following
One area where Dorratrip can double down is visual storytelling, especially as digital platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and even LinkedIn are fast becoming go-to sources for travel inspiration. With the rise of short-form videos and immersive content, there’s a huge opportunity to showcase trips through authentic, behind-the-scenes narratives, creator-led vlogs, user reviews, and cinematic reels. This kind of content doesn’t just look good—it feels real and relatable, striking the perfect balance between aspirational and achievable, and encouraging more people to turn that “save” button into actual bookings.
