Safe Travels Ahead: ICICI Lombard's Insights into Indian Travellers

Safe Travels Ahead: ICICI Lombard's Insights into Indian Travellers

By Author

Published on October 2, 2023

ICICI Lombard General Insurance marked World Tourism Day by releasing an insightful consumer study report titled "Research on Travel Behaviours 2023." This report provides valuable insights into the changing landscape of travel insurance and the preferences of Indian travellers.

The study delves into the international travel habits of Indians and unveils some noteworthy findings. It reveals that a remarkable 76% of Indian travellers purchased travel insurance for their most recent trip, and an impressive 92% expressed their intent to acquire it for their next journey. This surge in interest highlights the growing awareness of the need to protect travel experiences. Furthermore, the report indicates that awareness of travel insurance increases as individuals progress through different stages of family life. Notably, married couples with children are the most likely group to purchase travel insurance, with a substantial 78% opting for coverage, followed by married couples without children at 67%, and singles at 66%.

The study takes a deep dive into the mindset of Indian travellers, shedding light on their unique preferences, awareness levels, and behaviours within various customer categories: families, couples, and singles. By conducting this research, ICICI Lombard identifies the challenges associated with organising and executing international travel, unmet needs, and potential solutions that could shape the future of travel insurance in India.

Sheena Kapoor, Head of Marketing, Corporate Communications & CSR at ICICI Lombard, commented on the findings, stating, "These statistics underscore a growing consciousness among travellers to safeguard their travel experiences and protect themselves against unforeseen events. It is indeed encouraging to see that travel insurance is no longer an afterthought but a proactive choice for a majority of respondents. Additionally, the correlation between family stages and travel insurance awareness is a noteworthy discovery, demonstrating that individuals are increasingly recognizing the importance of securing their travel plans, particularly as they progress through various life stages."

The report also highlights interesting trends in travel behaviour. For instance, respondents with children are more inclined to take multiple trips in a year. The middle-aged group, comprising 61% of individuals, tends to embark on two or more trips annually, while this percentage drops to one in three for those aged 45 and above. Respondents who travel once a year typically have slightly longer trips, averaging around 13-14 days, whereas those taking two or more trips average around 11-12 days for their most recent journey.

The study also addresses challenges faced during international travel planning. Among the key findings, customers who are married without children appear to encounter the most challenges in their travel planning, with 48% reporting issues. The younger age group faces significant problems during visa applications and finalising bookings, while the middle age group struggles with airline reservations and coordinating logistics between cities. Travel insurance issues were the least common among both age groups.

Awareness of travel insurance varies depending on how travel is booked. Customers who book through intermediaries tend to have the lowest awareness of travel insurance. However, among those with the highest awareness levels, the purchase of travel insurance increases significantly. For international trips, three out of four respondents (75%) purchased travel insurance for their most recent journey.

The top three factors motivating individuals to purchase travel insurance are safety and financial protection (28%), coverage and claim limits (18%), and the chosen travel destination (16%). Interestingly, the highest level of difficulty in purchasing travel insurance is encountered when the insurance booking is done by someone else, with 80% of respondents reporting difficulties.

Looking ahead, Southeast Asia (47%) and the Middle East (40%) stand out as the top choices for travel destinations among respondents for their upcoming international trips. Notably, 92% of respondents plan to buy travel insurance for their next international journey, with the inclination to acquire travel insurance rising with different family stages: couples with kids (94%), couples without kids (92%), and singles (87%).

ICICI Lombard's report provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of travel insurance in India, emphasising the increasing importance of protecting travel experiences and the diverse preferences of Indian travellers. As international travel continues to grow, so does the need for comprehensive travel insurance, ensuring that travellers can explore the world with peace of mind.


FLY91 Adds Extra Pune-Goa Daily Flight to Meet Summer Travel Demand

FLY91 Adds Extra Pune-Goa Daily Flight to Meet Summer Travel Demand

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 19, 2026

FLY91 has announced an additional weekday daily flight between Pune and Goa for May 2026 to meet increased passenger demand during the summer holiday season. The temporary addition comes as travel activity continues to rise due to vacations, family trips and seasonal travel movement.

The airline already operates daily weekday services on the Pune-Goa route, while weekend operations currently run twice daily. The newly introduced weekday frequency is expected to provide travellers with more options and greater convenience during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

According to the airline, the decision was taken in response to increased movement from holidaymakers, students, families and business travellers. The Pune-Goa route has witnessed steady demand throughout the summer season, making it an important sector within the airline’s growing network.

By adding another service, FLY91 aims to improve schedule flexibility while increasing seat availability between the two destinations. The move is also expected to ease travel during the peak vacation period and support smoother passenger movement.

Pune continues to remain one of western India’s key educational and commercial centres, while Goa attracts a significant number of domestic travellers during the summer months. The additional service is expected to further strengthen connectivity between the two cities and support increasing regional travel demand.

FLY91 said the new flight also aligns with its broader objective of strengthening dependable and safe regional connectivity across underserved and high-demand sectors in India.

The airline currently operates flights across 12 destinations including Goa (GOX), Pune, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, Solapur, Jalgaon, Sindhudurg, Kochi, Agatti, Rajahmundry, Vijayawada and Hubballi.


IRCTC Launches Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra from Indore for Pashupatinath Pilgrimage

IRCTC Launches Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra from Indore for Pashupatinath Pilgrimage

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 17, 2026

The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) has announced a special religious journey to Nepal under its Bharat Gaurav scheme, giving travellers and pilgrims from Madhya Pradesh and nearby regions an opportunity to explore important spiritual and tourist destinations in the neighbouring country.

The special 'Pashupatinath Nepal Darshan Yatra' will begin from Indore on June 12 aboard a Deluxe AC tourist train. According to IRCTC, this is the first Bharat Gaurav tourist train service designed for passengers travelling beyond India’s borders, making it a significant addition to its tourism offerings.

The journey will run for nine nights and 10 days, covering some of Nepal’s well-known religious and tourist attractions. The itinerary includes visits to Pashupatinath Temple in Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan National Park, and Manakamana Temple. As part of the experience, travellers will also get access to a ropeway ride at Manakamana Temple and a Jeep Safari at Chitwan, arranged by IRCTC.

Passengers can board the train from multiple stations across Madhya Pradesh including Indore, Ujjain, Shujalpur, Sehore, Rani Kamalapati (Bhopal), Itarsi, Narsinghpur, Jabalpur, Katni, and Satna.

Rahul Holkar, Executive Tourism (Indore), said: "Dining facilities will be available for passengers onboard, with two restaurant coaches arranged for this purpose."

He also shared that the train will have 14 coaches and offer three accommodation categories: First AC, Second AC, and Third AC. The package further includes five-night accommodation in three-star hotels, along with local sightseeing through AC buses.

IRCTC has introduced different fare structures based on the selected category. The package covers rail travel, hotel stays, meals onboard and during the journey, local transportation, sightseeing, travel insurance, tour escorts, security arrangements and housekeeping services.

Officials also clarified that the Nepal Darshan Yatra is a guided tourist journey and should be viewed as a specially curated travel experience rather than a regular international tour package. Bookings for the Bharat Gaurav Nepal Yatra can be made through IRCTC’s official website and authorised offices.


Air India Begins Twice Daily Flights to Ludhiana Halwara Airport

Air India Begins Twice Daily Flights to Ludhiana Halwara Airport

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on May 16, 2026

Air India has commenced commercial operations to Ludhiana’s newly operational Halwara airport, becoming the first airline to launch services at the airport. The new route strengthens connectivity between Ludhiana and Delhi while also opening access to Air India’s wider international network.

The inaugural flight from Delhi landed at Halwara airport at 0703 Hrs, while the return service departed from Ludhiana at 0800 Hrs. Air India will now operate two daily flights on the Delhi–Ludhiana route using its A320 family aircraft.

The newly launched services have been scheduled to provide passengers with smoother onward connections through Delhi to Air India’s international destinations. Travellers flying from Ludhiana can conveniently connect to cities including London, Paris, Milan, Rome, and Birmingham through a single ticket and a unified baggage allowance system with through check-in facilities.

Passengers will also benefit from same-terminal transfers at Delhi airport, allowing easier movement between domestic and international flights.

The flight schedule for the Delhi–Ludhiana route includes:

  • AI481: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 05:55 | Arrival: 07:05 | Daily
  • AI482: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 07:55 | Arrival: 09:10 | Daily
  • AI483: Delhi to Ludhiana (Halwara) – Departure: 12:55 | Arrival: 14:10 | Daily
  • AI484: Ludhiana (Halwara) to Delhi – Departure: 14:40 | Arrival: 15:55 | Daily

With the launch of operations at Halwara airport, Air India continues to expand its domestic network while strengthening connectivity between regional cities and international destinations.

Bookings for Air India’s Ludhiana flights are now open across all channels, including the airline’s website, mobile app, and travel partners worldwide.

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