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Tourist visa applications for summer 2025 travel surge by 68 % – The Times of India

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Tourist visa applications for summer 2025 travel surge by 68 % – The Times of India


MUMBAI: Tourist visa applications for summer 2025 have witnessed an unprecedented 68% increase compared to the previous year, according to recent data from visa processing platform Atlys. This dramatic surge reflects a fundamental shift in how Indians view international travel, with vacation plans becoming a lifestyle priority rather than a luxury, it said.
The platform reports that Schengen countries, the United States, and the UAE are emerging as the most sought-after destinations for Summer 2025, based on early booking trends. This follows a strong 45.5% year-over-year increase in visa applications during 2024, with destinations like Dubai, Egypt, Singapore, Vietnam, and Indonesia seeing growth rates between 22% and 51%.
“We’re witnessing a remarkable transformation in travel patterns,” said an Atlys spokesperson. “The surge isn’t just about numbers – it’s about Indians actively seeking diverse cultural experiences and making international travel an integral part of their lives.”
Generation Z travelers are leading this travel renaissance, showing particular interest in experience-focused journeys and shorter stays. Indonesia, Egypt, and Japan rank as top choices among young travelers looking for immersive cultural experiences, the company said.
A notable trend emerging for Summer 2025 is the rise of first-time international travelers choosing destinations with simplified visa procedures. “We’re seeing increasing interest in countries that offer streamlined visa processes, making international travel more accessible to first-time explorers,” the Atlys spokesperson noted.
Visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations
For Indian travelers seeking hassle-free international experiences, several destinations offer visa-free or visa-on-arrival access. Countries like Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Azerbaijan have become increasingly popular among first-time travelers due to their accessible entry requirements and rich cultural offerings. These destinations provide an excellent starting point for those new to international travel, combining ease of access with unique cultural experiences.
Another significant trend identified by Atlys is the growing popularity of multi-country summer getaways. Travelers are increasingly utilizing Schengen visas to explore multiple European destinations in single trips, with France, Spain, and Italy being popular combinations. This approach represents a more strategic and cost-effective way to maximize international travel experiences.
The rise in multi-country itineraries shows that Indian travelers are becoming more sophisticated in their travel planning, it said. They’re looking to optimize their visa approvals and travel budgets by covering multiple destinations in one journey.
The data suggests that the post-pandemic desire to explore, combined with a growing middle class and increased accessibility to international travel, has created a robust outlook for the 2025 summer travel season. The trend indicates a broader shift in Indian society, where international travel is increasingly viewed as an essential aspect of modern lifestyle rather than an occasional indulgence.
“It’s remarkable to witness how travel has become an integral part of people’s lives. We’re seeing a surge not only in the number of applications but also in the diversity of destinations Indians are curious about,” says Mohak Nahta, Founder and CEO of Atlys. “This uptick reflects a collective desire to explore cultures, try new experiences, and make the most of their vacation time. Whether it’s seasoned adventurers checking off bucket-list countries or first-time explorers seeking convenience and affordability, it’s clear that travel is evolving into a true lifestyle priority.”
With 2024’s strong visa application figures serving as a benchmark, the summer of 2025 is positioned to be a landmark period for Indian international travel, driven by a combination of cultural curiosity, strategic planning, and improved global mobility options.





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Government open to some duty-free US auto imports like 1,600cc bikes – Times of India

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April 25, 2025

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NEW DELHI: Government is open to offering duty-free access to certain automobiles imported from the US, such as bikes with over 1,600cc engine capacity, if it can secure a favourable deal in some areas of interest.Some of the concessions, which are still being discussed internally, may, however, come with quotas. This means the lower or zero duty benefit may be available only for a certain number of units imported under the proposed bilateral trade agreement.
The US has mounted immense pressure on India to lower tariffs on automobiles, whiskey and farm products, arguing that high import duties are holding up American exports. While India slashed the customs duty on products, such as high-end bikes and bourbon in Feb, the Donald Trump administration is not satisfied and is pushing for further cuts. Harley Davidson bikes and Tesla cars are on top of Trump’s priority list, especially with Elon Musk being a key aide of the American President.

Musk has been lobbying with India to lower import duties, something that the government refused to do earlier. However, last year, it came up with a new policy that offered 15% tariffs for a limited period, provided companies using the window set up a manufacturing facility. The detailed guidelines are expected only in a few weeks as inter-ministerial consultations are currently underway. A steep tariff reduction will, however, impact investment plans.
Faced with the threat of reciprocal tariffs, the commerce department, which is leading negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement, is holding consultations with other government departments and ministries. These, in turn, are seeking feedback from industry and other stakeholders. While sectoral negotiations are yet to commence, a team led by India’s chief negotiator, Rajesh Agrawal, is currently in Washington to iron out pending issues and explore the possibility of an “early tranche.”

Originally, Trump and PM Narendra Modi agreed to have a first tranche by autumn (Sept-Oct), covering import duty on goods, non-tariff barriers, and ways to strengthen the supply chain. India is hoping that in return for concessions offered by it, the Trump administration will not impose the 26% reciprocal tariffs, which have been paused for 90 days, while also lowering duties for labour-intensive products, such as textiles and leather goods shipped from the country.





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Pune company loses Rs 6.5 crore in cyber fraud – Times of India

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April 24, 2025

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PUNE: Man-in-the-Middle (MitM) cyber frauds cheated a Pune-based firm, dealing in IT services and imports of dry fruits, out of Rs 6.5 crore on March 27.
MitM is a type of cyber fraud in which an attacker intercepts and relays communication between two parties, making it appear as if they are communicating directly.
As per the police complaint, the 39-year-old company director received an email on the company ID purportedly from a US firm he did business with about a payment request. He initiated the transaction believing the email request was legitimate. But later, when he contacted officials of the other firm, they denied receiving the amount. He checked the email he had received and discovered fraudsters had made two alterations – they changed one letter in the other firm’s email address and its bank account number.





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LIC to expedite claim settlements of Pahalgam terror victims

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April 24, 2025

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Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) on Thursday (April 24, 2025) announced that it will expedite claim settlements of Pahalgam terror attack victims in an effort to provide financial relief to their families.

Expressing deep grief over the death of innocent citizens in the terrorist attack, CEO and MD Siddharta Mohanty said LIC has decided to offer concessions to mitigate the hardships of the claimants.

In lieu of death certificates, any evidence in government records of death of the policyholder due to the terrorist attack or any compensation paid by the Union or State governments will be accepted as proof of death. All efforts will be taken to ensure that the claimants are reached out to and claims settled expeditiously to the affected families,” he said in a release.

For assistance, the claimants may contact the nearest LIC branch, division, or customer zones. They may also call LIC call centre at 022 68276827, the company said.

Insurance aggregator Policybazaar said it would like to offer a job to a family member in any of the Policybazaar or Paisabazaar offices located across India or sponsor a child’s education for every impacted Indian family in Pahalgam. “It is a very small gesture towards creating a social security cover for these families,” co-founder Alok Bansal said in a social media post.

Published – April 24, 2025 11:26 pm IST



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