Longer Euro trips for Indians now

Indians are beginning to opt for mono-destinations in Europe now – a sign of maturity – which would mean immersive and longer stays with higher spend. This makes Elena Orland, Tourism Counsellor – Embassy of Spain, Director of Spain Tourism Board, happy and she wants Indians to explore remoter regions and experiences that her country has to offer.

Hazel Jain

Promoting a product is easy when the product speaks for itself—and that is precisely the case with Spain, exclaims Elena Orland, Tourism Counsellor of Embassy of Spain and Director of Spain Tourism Board, proudly. “Of course, we want to increase the number of Indians coming to Spain, but we also want them to get to know the country in depth. A visit to Madrid or Barcelona is not enough to understand and experience what Spain is, because Spain is diversity. For example, Spain is known for flamenco, but there are thousands of other ancient dances that are still danced throughout Spain. In this, we are also similar to India; the diversity is incredible. I believe the era of one-week trips to Europe has come to an end,” she says.

For her, India is one of the most promising travel markets in the short term. “An increasing number of Indians – especially millennials and Gen Z – are prioritising international travel. Tier II and tier III cities of India are expected to emerge as source markets. Overall, Spain is perceived in India as an exotic yet accessible destination. This positive momentum of Indian tourism to Spain will be further boosted by the declaration of 2026 as the Spain-India Dual Year,” Orland adds.

Undoubtedly, the re-establishment of the direct flight between Madrid and Delhi – once a vital connection before the pandemic – and hopefully the addition of a second flight to Barcelona, will contribute to inbound numbers from India, she reveals. “From the rising demand for luxury and wellness retreats—particularly among HNIs and urban elites—to eco-conscious and community-based travel experiences favoured by millennials and Gen Z, the Spanish offer is broad. Indian traveller have a high spending capacity and share clear cultural affinities with Spaniards,”
she adds.