India’s long-standing habit of saving first and spending later is beginning to loosen, especially among younger consumers who are choosing to finance experiences rather than defer them. Travel is emerging as one of the clearest expressions of this shift, with startups like Scapia building products around a customer who is as comfortable using credit as they are booking their next trip.
“People are moving towards understanding credit and borrowing responsibly,” said Anil Goteti, the founder of Scapia, a Bengaluru-based travel fintech startup. “If I can go travel somewhere but pay it over time instead of saving up for it, there are more and more individuals who value that.”
This behavioural change is unfolding alongside a steady rise in travel demand. Indians are not only travelling more frequently but also for a wider range of reasons, from weddings and concerts to wellness breaks and sporting events.
India accounts for 1.40% of total international arrivals and contributes 2.02% to worldwide tourism receipts. Government data shows that outbound travel from India continued its upward trajectory in 2024, with 30.89 million departures, up 10.79% over the previous year. Domestic tourism is expanding even faster, with 2,948.19 million visits recorded in 2024, a 17.51% increase from 2023, according to the India Tourism Data Compendium 2025 by the tourism ministry.
“People used to travel maybe once or twice a year. Now they travel four to five times a year,” Goteti said. “Even if it’s not always international, it could be a weekend getaway or visiting friends. Travel has become more accessible and more affordable.”
A significant portion of this demand is coming from outside India’s largest cities. About half of Scapia’s users are from beyond metros and tier one markets, reflecting how rising incomes, better connectivity and easier access to passports are expanding the traveller base.
The company says its users travelled to 130 countries through its platform, while its card was used across 175 countries last year. Domestic travel is also widening, with growing interest in offbeat destinations and event-led trips. “People are travelling for IPL matches, for concerts, for reunions. Ten years ago this didn’t happen in India,” the founder shared.
Underlying this trend is a broader “structural change” rather than a short-term post-pandemic surge that Goteti attributes to higher disposable incomes, expanding infrastructure and the influence of social media in shaping aspirations.
