Archive · 14 Sep 2025
Tier-2 Cities Driving Growth in India's Tourism
India's travel scene is changing.
Big travel company Cox & Kings is now focusing on smaller cities like Jaipur and Dharamshala.
They're opening new stores in these places because more people there are starting to travel abroad.
They want to help these people plan their first trips overseas.
More people have passports now, and visa applications are up, too.
People from smaller cities are choosing to visit places like Dubai, Thailand, and Singapore.
Shashi Tharoor suggests focusing on improving India's image for tourism.
Cox & Kings shifts focus to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities for international tourism growth.
Rising incomes and digital influence are fueling increased travel from smaller cities.
Cox & Kings is expanding with new franchise outlets.
First-time international visa applications have increased, especially from smaller cities.
Dubai, Thailand, and Singapore are popular destinations.
- Who
- Cox & Kings, Indian tourists, and Shashi Tharoor.
- What
- Shifting focus of tourism growth from metropolitan to Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
- When
- The upcoming festive and holiday season.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To capture a growing market of first-time international travelers and improve tourism perception.
- Passport Holders
- 8.7% of India's population
- Passport Issued (July 2025)
- Over 1.24 million
- Passport Issued (Year-End Projection)
- Surpass 14.5 million
- First-Time Visa Applications (Increase)
- 32% (past year)
- New Cox & Kings Outlets
- Faridabad, Gurgaon, Dharamshala, Agra and Ahmedabad
- Cox & Kings Expansion Goal
- 200 outlets
- Primary Destinations
- Dubai, Thailand, and Singapore
