A steady stream of headlines has flagged travel disruptions, energy curbs and oil worries. Social media is flooded with posts about flight delays, rerouted airspace and fuel shortages—enough to make anyone pause before booking a holiday. To be fair, some of these concerns are not entirely unfounded.
Even in parts of Southeast Asia, governments are taking steps to manage fuel consumption. The Philippines has declared a national energy emergency, with its president warning that planes could be grounded amid a shortage of aviation fuel. Vietnam has encouraged work-from-home measures amid a sharp increase in gas and diesel prices. Sri Lanka has cut back on lighting and energy consumption, and introduced a four-day workweek to reduce transportation demand.
Yet, travel demand itself hasn’t taken a hit. People are still planning holidays, just more thoughtfully than before. “We are witnessing a decisive shift in travel behaviour this summer. Travellers are reworking their plans in response to the global situation, adapting to current realities,” says Manjari Singhal, Chief Growth and Business Officer, Cleartrip.
Short- and medium-haul destinations are seeing the greatest benefit. Cleartrip’s data shows a sharp rise in bookings to Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Colombo, and Bali. The Philippines has seen bookings jump three times despite its energy emergency. Thomas Cook’s data points to Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Japan, and China as other preferred alternatives.
“There is a clear shift towards domestic tourism and short-haul outbound destinations such as Southeast Asia, driven by affordability and ease of travel,” says Bharat Malik, Senior VP, Air and Hotel Business, Yatra Online.
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Ashwin, a loyalty programme and credit card expert who prefers to go by his first name and is known on Twitter as @pointspro, notes that travellers are prioritising accessibility over anxiety. “If there is one country that is winning right now, it is Thailand,” he says, pointing to a clear trend of travellers simply switching to Bangkok of late. The five destinations here offer the best combination of stability, connectivity, and value right now.
Least affected travel destinationsIndicative travel trends and costs for key outbound destinations from India.
Cambodia (6N/7D)Cambodia offers a strong mix of history and laid-back travel. The Angkor Wat complex in Siem Reap is the biggest draw, but what really works is that it feels less crowded and more relaxed compared to more mainstream destinations.
Approx. cost per person (incl. international flights): Rs.1.2 lakh
Domestic travel (within country): Typically via flights
Popular destinations: Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, Kampot
Hotel: ~Rs.8,000 per room per night (4-star)
Land-only package(excl. international flights): ~Rs.65,000
Thailand (6N/7D)Thailand continues to be the easiest go-to international destination for Indian travellers right now. With multiple direct flights, simple entry requirements, and a wide range of options from Bangkok to Phuket and Krabi, it offers flexibility, familiarity, and convenience all in one place.
Approx. cost per person(incl. international flights): Rs.80,000
Domestic travel(within country):Flights + road
Popular destinations: Bangkok,Pattaya, Phuket
Hotel: ~Rs.5,000 per room per night (4-star)
Land-only package (excl. international flights): ~Rs.40,000
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Japan (8N/9D)Japan sits at the premium end but continues to attract travellers because of its balance of culture, infrastructure, and seasonal appeal. It offers a very structured travel experience.
Approx. cost per person (incl. international flights): Rs.2.8 lakh
Hotel: ~Rs.8,000 per room per night (4-star)
Domestic travel (within country): Typically via flights and highspeed trains
Land-only package (excl. international flights): ~Rs.1.9 lakh
Popular destinations: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto
China (9N/10D)China appeals to travellers looking for scale and variety. Historic landmarks in Beijing and modern city life in Shanghai offer a mix of cultural depth and urban exploration, though it typically requires more planning compared to Southeast Asian destinations.
Approx. cost per person (incl.international flights): Rs.1.9 lakh
Hotel: ~12,000 per room per night (4-star)
Domestic travel (within country): Typically via flights
Land-only package (excl. international flights): ~Rs.1.2 lakh
Popular destinations: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou
Sri Lanka (6N/7D)
One of the easiest international trips from India, Sri Lanka combines beaches, hill stations, and cultural sites within short distances. Its biggest advantage is convenience, making it ideal for shorter, low-effort holidays.
Approx. cost per person (incl. international flights): Rs.70,000-80,000
Hotel: ~Rs.6,000 per room per night (4-star)
Domestic travel (within country): Typically via road transfers
Land-only package (excl. international flights): ~Rs.38,000
Popular destinations: Colombo, Bentota, Galle, Kandy
Source: Yatra online