Chennai: Thanks to the rupee staging a rebound against the dollar since late last week and early this week, international travel may now be a tad cheaper and more affordable for people traveling from India, as they will need fewer Indian rupees to purchase US dollars or other foreign currencies tied closely to dollar strength, say travel experts.On Thursday, Nov 12, the rupee gained nearly 6 paise to close at 93.67 against the US dollar – the highest in the last six months – owing to positive domestic markets and foreign inflows.Triggered by the West Asia conflict and global crude oil supply disruptions, Jet fuel prices have been on a rising spree this year. This led to a significant surge in year-end outbound air fares, too. The rupee also hit its lowest point this July, closing at 96.39 per dollar. “With airfares, hotel prices and currency fluctuations putting pressure on travel budgets, people became more conscious of where they spend and how they get the most out of every rupee. Travellers were booking flights and stays much in advance to avoid peak-season price increases and paying closer attention to exchange rates when planning their expenses,” says Taneia Bhardwaj, South Asia expansion lead at cross border payments platform Wise.The recent recovery of the Indian rupee against the US dollar could, however, improve the affordability of international travel, particularly for expenses such as accommodation, shopping, dining and local experiences in destinations whose currencies are closely linked to the dollar, says Rajiv Mehra, general secretary of federation of association of Indian tourism and hospitality (FAITH). “The key trend this year-end is smarter travel planning, with consumers balancing their desire to explore the world against overall value for money,” says Mehra.Agrees Abraham Alapatt, president & group head – marketing of Thomas Cook (India) & SOTC Travel. “The year-end travel period continues to be an important window, and currency movements are an important component of the overall holiday cost,” he says.So, instead of outright cancelling their travel plans, Indians are making flexible itineraries to make the most of the strengthening rupee and get more value on forex. Pavan Kumar Kavad, MD of Prithvi Exchange, says, “Ahead of the year-end holiday season, international airfares had surged by nearly 25% in 2026. But Indian travellers started considering different destinations, modifying their budgets, and adjusting the duration of their trips. We are observing a growing inclination towards Southeast Asian destinations like Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, over conventional long-haul trips to Europe or West Asia. Japan, too, has emerged as one of the preferred destinations for Indian travelers because of its increased affordability and easier visa processes. Hanoi flight bookings have also more than doubled YoY, as per the Indian Association of Tour Operators,” says Kavad.
