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International destinations and spiritual connections shaped India’s travel sector in 2024

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Indians’ appetite for travel grew in 2024. The country is also witnessing a shift in travel preferences, with more people opting for offbeat destinations and eco-tourism, as well as a surge in solo and women travelers. 

According to the MasterCard Economics Institute’s latest report launched in May 2024, there has been a 21% increase in international travel compared to 2019, with a notable 4% increase in the first quarter of 2024.

Specifically, the number of visitors to the United States increased by 59% compared to 2019 while Japan saw a 53% increase in the number of Indian visitors compared to 2019.

The highest though—at 248%—were Southeast Asia countries. Vietnam has also become one of the main attractions for Indian tourists, according to the report.

“As we approach the year-end holiday season, we’re seeing a fascinating shift in travel preferences. Destinations like Thailand, Vietnam, London, and Bali have emerged as the top picks for international travel this winter witnessing an 80-100% YoY growth in bookings,” Aloke Bajpai, Group CEO, Ixigo, told YourStory.

“Interestingly, for the first time, Maldives has not featured in the top 10 most-searched destinations for year-end travel, reflecting a growing preference for more varied and immersive vacations over traditional hotspots,” he added.

The Gurugram-based OTA listed platform saw strong growth in flights at +43% YoY GTV (Gross Transaction Value) and buses at +46 %YoY GTV in Q2 FY25 vs Q2 FY24. 

“Our Monthly Transacting Users (MTUs) increased by nearly 43% YoY, reaching 3.43 million for the quarter. Flights and buses together now contribute about 60% of our company’s margins,” adds Bajpai.

The travel-tech company made a stellar debut on the exchanges on June 18, 2024, with shares surging 78.2% from its IPO price of Rs 93 per equity share. The IPO, which raised Rs 740 crore was oversubscribed 98.34 times, driven by strong demand from institutional, HNI, and retail investors. 

travel trends

Domestic travel

Bajpai shared that more travellers from Tier II and III cities are choosing international destinations.

“For example, airports like Varanasi, Vijayawada, Rajkot, and Jharsuguda have grown over 50% in passenger segments YoY for us. Additionally, our international flight GTV has grown at an impressive 47%, outpacing domestic flight growth,” he mentions.

Recently at the BOTT Knowledge Conclave: Tourism@2025 in New Delhi, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat discussed India’s significant tourism growth. 

Key states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Rajasthan have emerged as top destinations, benefiting from cultural festivals, wildlife tourism, religious pilgrimages, and rural tourism. 

Initiatives like the ‘Dekho Apna Desh’ campaign and state-level tourism promotion efforts have played a crucial role in this remarkable growth, further enhancing India’s appeal as a domestic travel destination.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, domestic tourist numbers have seen a remarkable increase of 95.64%. India’s ranking in the global travel and tourism development index (TTDI) has improved from 65 to 39. 

A biennial report published by the World Economic Forum, the TTDI measures the factors and policies that enable a country’s travel and tourism sector to develop sustainably and resiliently. 

He also mentioned that over Rs 6,800 crore has been invested in destination development, with Rs 3,295.76 crore approved to promote lesser-known tourism sites across states.

“On the domestic front, destinations like Jammu, Srinagar, and Dehradun are seeing a huge spike in bookings, highlighting a growing interest in mountain escapades this year. This contrasts with last year’s trend, where beachside getaways dominated year-end travel plans. The appeal of scenic winter landscapes and the charm of snowfall seem to be drawing more travelers to the mountains this season,” says ​​Bajpai.

According to MakeMyTrip data for travel between 16-31s December, Andaman, Kerala, Goa, Himachal and Kashmir saw double-digit growth in bookings for holiday packages for the upcoming year-end holiday season.

Seeking spirituality

India’s spiritual destinations are getting popular. According to digital travel platform Agoda, cities such as Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai are leading domestic destinations for spiritual travel during the last quarter of the year.

For inbound travelers, Kochi and Varanasi are among the most popular spiritual destinations. 

Both destinations attract international spiritual travelers because of their deep-rooted cultural, historical, and religious significance. Travelers from the USA, Singapore, Japan, and Australia are contributing to the rise in inbound interest, drawn to India’s unique fusion of spirituality and culture during the festive period. 

Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director, India Subcontinent and MEA at Agoda, commented on the growing trend, saying, “The rising interest in spiritual destinations throughout India reflects travellers’ evolving preferences for more enriching and culturally immersive experiences.”

Tech in travel

In 2024, technology is also playing a key role, as travel companies leveraged mobile apps, smart bookings, and real-time travel updates to make travel easier.

“ixigo was the first OTA in India to launch a Generative AI-based travel planning tool named PLAN in 2023 to help travellers plan their trip, get itineraries and real-time information and recommendations based on input criteria,” says Bajpai.

Online travel aggregator, EaseMyTrip says it uses AI/ML-based algorithms and a WhatsApp booking bot along with other tools. 

“Technology has become increasingly central to travel planning and execution, with 84% of Indian travelers now leveraging AI tools for their journey planning. This technological integration extends to sustainable travel practices, with a growing emphasis on carbon offset programs and eco-friendly accommodations, reflecting the industry’s adaptation to environmentally conscious consumer preferences,” added Nishant Pittie CEO and Co-founder of EaseMyTrip.





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GoMechanic eyes over 3-fold biz growth to Rs 700 Cr by 2027 before launching IPO

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Car services and repair platform GoMechanic expects over three-fold rise in net revenue to Rs 700 crore by 2027 and thereafter go for public listing, a top official of the company said.

GoMechanic Co-Founder and CEO Himanshu Arora told PTI that the company at present has around 3% market share and aims to raise it to 10% in the next three years.

The company is also looking to diversify offerings, foraying into the two-wheeler and electric vehicle services segment.

“We sit at about 3% of the market share right now and to be servicing every 1 car out of ten would be around 10 % by 2027. By 2027, we expect our brand to generate approximately Rs 700 crore in revenue. We believe that an IPO is a natural next step for GoMechanic’s growth story,” Arora said.

The company at present provides services through 800 garages across 125 cities and plans to scale up to 2,500 garages across 500 cities by 2027.

GoMechanic was acquired by Servizzy, a subsidiary of the Lifelong Group, in March 2023 after anomalies in its financial records were found under previous management and the firm was put on sale by the investors.

“It has been only about 20 months since we acquired the brand… the trajectory clearly indicates that an IPO is on our roadmap,” Arora said.

GoMechanic posted a revenue of Rs 210 crore in the financial year 2023-24 and a revenue of Rs 85 crore in the April-June 2024 quarter.

“Our spares and accessories are also growing fast. We should be clocking about Rs 432 crore this financial year in gross merchandise value and roughly around Rs 200 crore in the net revenue,” Arora said.

“When we acquired the brand, the customer retention rate was 33% and at present it is 53%. We are operating on a franchisee model where we connect with garages and deploy our own personnel for quality control. Our target is to reach 65-66% retention rate by 2026,” GoMechanic Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer Muskaan Kakkar said.

She said that GoMechanic has 8 lakh active users per month, which is now gradually getting close to 10 lakh.

“We are EBIDTA positive (operational profit). For me, maintaining PAT (profit after tax) positivity in our main operations is essential for our financial stability. At the same time, strategic investments in areas like two-wheelers are necessary for our growth. While these investments may affect our PAT in the short term, they are crucial for long-term success.

We will definitely be PAT-positive by 2027,” Kakkar said.

She said that GoMechanic at present has around 550 people on payroll and beyond this entire franchise network comprises about 4,000 individuals working on the ground.

“Currently, we are in the process of hiring the head of our two-wheeler business. We are looking for someone who has experience in building businesses from the ground up, not necessarily limited to the automobile sector. Our goal is to bring in individuals who have successfully launched and scaled businesses, ensuring they grow with us and contribute significantly to our expansion,” Kakkar said.





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How to optimise your tech resume for your next job in 2025

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As technology evolves at an unprecedented pace, professionals across industries must stay updated with the latest trends and innovations. The rapid adoption of new technologies means that your resume should not only reflect your past achievements but also demonstrate your proficiency in the skills and tools that are defining the future. In 2025, tech skills will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping career trajectories, making it essential to incorporate relevant trends into your resume to ensure you stand out.

Whether you’re an established tech expert or just beginning your journey in the tech world, it’s crucial to present yourself as adaptable, forward-thinking, and in tune with the current technological landscape.

This article delves into practical steps to help you enhance your resume with the most relevant tech skills, ensuring that it appeals to potential employers and reflects the skills that are shaping the future of work.

Emphasise your most relevant technical expertise

The first step in updating your resume is to ensure that you are highlighting the technical skills that matter most in 2025. With so many new technologies emerging, it’s easy to get overwhelmed, but focusing on the most sought-after skills can help you stay ahead of the curve.

Focus on emerging technologies

Make sure to include skills related to artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, blockchain, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and data analytics. These are the areas in which employers are investing heavily and looking for expertise.

Be specific

Rather than simply listing general skills, dive into specific tools and platforms you have experience with. For example, if you’re proficient in machine learning, mention specific frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras. For blockchain, name the platforms such as Ethereum or Hyperledger. Specificity demonstrates depth of knowledge.

Soft skills are also critical

In addition to technical expertise, soft skills like problem-solving, critical thinking, and adaptability are increasingly important. Highlighting your ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage projects, and communicate complex technical information will make you more appealing to potential employers.

Showcase real-world projects and achievements

Your resume should do more than just list your skills. It should demonstrate how you’ve applied them in real-world scenarios. Showcasing key projects, whether they were part of previous jobs, personal initiatives, or freelance work, helps give context to your skills.

Choose impactful projects

Highlight projects where you’ve made a significant impact. For instance, if you developed an AI-based recommendation system or built a secure blockchain application, make sure those are front and center. The more relevant the project is to the current trends, the better.

Provide outcomes

Employers are always interested in the results of your work. Don’t just describe the project – explain how it benefited the company or client. Use quantifiable metrics when possible (e.g., “Reduced processing time by 30% using machine learning algorithms” or “Improved website security by implementing blockchain-based encryption”).

Create an online portfolio

If you haven’t already, creating an online portfolio or GitHub repository is essential. This can house your code, designs, and detailed case studies of the projects you’ve worked on. Including links to your portfolio in your resume shows that you’re not just talking about your skills but also showcasing them.

Adopt a modern, tech-optimised resume layout

A tech-friendly resume format can help ensure that your resume is not only eye-catching but also optimised for both human recruiters and applicant tracking systems (ATS). In the tech world, having a clean, structured, and well-organised resume is just as important as having the right skills.

Prioritise readability

Use clear headings, bullet points, and ample white space to make your resume easy to read. Avoid cramming too much information into small sections. Make sure that the most important information (e.g., your technical skills and key projects) stands out.

Optimize for ATS

Many tech companies use applicant tracking systems to filter resumes before they ever reach a human. To ensure your resume passes through these systems, include industry-specific keywords and phrases related to the technologies you work with. This way, your resume has a better chance of getting noticed by both software and people.

Customise your resume for every job opportunity

One of the most crucial aspects of a resume in 2025 is customisation. With the diversity of tech roles available, a generic resume just won’t cut it. To ensure that you’re putting your best foot forward, tailor your resume to the specific role you’re applying for.

Understand the job requirements

Before submitting your resume, carefully read the job description. Identify the key skills and experiences the employer is looking for, and adjust your resume accordingly. For example, if the job requires expertise in cloud computing, make sure your experience with AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud is clearly highlighted.

Showcase the right skills

Every tech role requires different skills. For a software development position, emphasise your coding proficiency and familiarity with specific programming languages. For a cybersecurity role, focus on your experience with encryption, penetration testing, or threat analysis.

Use the right language

If the job description uses specific terminology or buzzwords, incorporate them into your resume (without overdoing it). This will help you connect with the recruiter’s needs and make your resume feel like a perfect match for the position.

Highlight your ongoing learning and flexibility

In the fast-evolving tech world, showcasing your ability to continuously learn and adapt is essential. Employers value candidates who are proactive about staying current with the latest trends and technologies. Demonstrating your commitment to professional development can set you apart from others in the competitive job market.

List certifications and courses

If you’ve recently completed relevant certifications or courses (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect, Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, or courses on platforms like Coursera or Udemy), make sure to include them. These show that you are actively pursuing growth and staying up to date with the latest technologies.

Highlight personal projects

Personal projects can be a great way to demonstrate your commitment to learning. If you’ve built a website, contributed to open-source software, or worked on side projects related to new technologies, these are valuable additions to your resume.

Show how you adapt

If you’ve worked in environments where you had to quickly learn new tools or adapt to shifting priorities, mention these experiences. Employers are keen to know how you deal with change and whether you can thrive in fast-paced, ever-changing environments.

Conclusion

In 2025, tech resumes need to reflect not just your current skills but also your ability to stay relevant in a rapidly changing field. By highlighting relevant technical skills, showcasing key projects, using a tech-friendly format, tailoring your resume for each job, and demonstrating your commitment to continuous learning, you can position yourself as a forward-thinking candidate ready to embrace the future. Make sure to update your resume regularly, reflecting both the latest trends and your personal growth, so you remain competitive in the evolving tech landscape.





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Proxgy adds Ajinkya Rahane as investor in Series A round

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Deeptech startup Proxgy said on Wednesday that Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane has participated in its ongoing $3 million series A funding round.

The round also witnessed participation from Nikhil Kamath, Bollywood superstar Suniel Shetty, industrialist Vinod Duggar and key investor Manish Patel.

“This funding will enable us to expand globally and bring innovative solutions like SmartHat, Sleefe, and Lockator to industries that need them the most,” noted Pulkit Ahuja, Founder and CEO of Proxgy.

The current funding round will support scaling operations, expanding Proxgy’s product portfolio, and enhancing its global presence.

Gurugram-based Proxgy reported an impressive multifold revenue growth in FY24, with Rs 50 crore in order book.

“Having represented India on the global cricketing stage, I know the importance of discipline, innovation, and precision. Proxgy reflects these values, and their ground breaking products have the potential to redefine safety and productivity in industrial environments,” noted Rahane on the investment.

The B2B and B2G startup makes smart helmets and has patents for developing products for industries such as mining, oil and refinery, defence, surveillance, road safety, etc.

Earlier this year, South African cricketer AB De Villiers joined Bengaluru-based health food brand Supply6, as a brand ambassador and investor.

In August, Australian entrepreneurs Deke Smith and Mark Sellar introduced their venture, ‘DRIVE FITT,’ in India, adding Bollywood actress Preity G Zinta and Indian cricketer Shubman Gill as co-founders and part of the founding shareholders at DRIVE FITT along with significant equity in the company. 





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