Latest news with #Atlys'
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Business Standard
08-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Passport-first moments rise: 32% visa surge from small-town India
First-time international travel by Indians is surging, with 32% growth led by Tier 2 and 3 cities like Surat, Lucknow and Jaipur, shows new visa application data New Delhi Travelling for the first time, and that too to a foreign land? You're not alone. A growing wave of first-time Indian travellers is stepping onto the global stage, driven by rising incomes, digital convenience, and ambitions that now go well beyond India's biggest cities. According to new data from Atlys, a visa application platform, international visa requests from first-time applicants jumped 32% over the past year. Of this, 56% came from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities—places like Chandigarh, Surat, Pune, Lucknow, and Jaipur. This cohort isn't travelling for business or to visit family. They're chasing long-awaited holidays, celebrating honeymoons or anniversaries, booking friends' trips, or ticking off their first stamp in a passport. Atlys' data shows the most active segment includes: Young adults under 35 Newlyweds and honeymooners Families going on their first overseas trip Destinations such as the UAE and nearby Southeast Asian countries are topping the list. Dubai remains a firm favourite thanks to its frequent flight connections and ease of travel, but places like Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia are drawing in budget-conscious explorers looking for immersive and affordable experiences. Digital visa tools and cheaper flights are unlocking global access 'Travel is no longer seen as a luxury, it's become an essential part of life,' said Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of Atlys. 'We're seeing year-on-year growth in first-time international travellers. This segment is being driven by affordable international flights, simplified digital visa processes, and rising income levels. Countries that streamline access and approvals will be the biggest winners in this next chapter of Indian outbound tourism.' The trend isn't limited to one platform. In May, Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel released the 'India Holiday Report 2025', showing Indians are not just travelling more—they're planning to travel *much* more. According to the report: — The number of Indians travelling abroad crossed 3 crore for the first time in 2024 — 85% of survey respondents plan to double their holiday frequency to four-six times a year, compared to two-three previously — 84% said they would increase travel spending by 20% to 50% this year 'The survey reflects a shift driven by rising disposable incomes and the growing aspirational value of travel, including experiential holidays,' the report said. Passport offices have grown, but coverage remains low A critical enabler of this boom has been the growing passport infrastructure. According to the Ministry of External Affairs' Performance Smart Board, over 100.9 million passports were issued between 2014 and 2023. Of these, 85% were issued domestically, with the number of Passport Seva Kendras growing from 153 in 2014 to 523 by 2023. But passport penetration still has a long way to go. Despite the infrastructure gains, only 8.71% of India's population currently holds an active passport, as per MEA data. That leaves a vast pool of potential first-time international travellers, many in smaller cities, still waiting to take that first step.
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Business Standard
04-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Sports tourism boom: Visas up 28% for Wimbledon, 30% for Formula 1 races
As the summer calendar fills with marquee sports events, fans across the world are no longer content watching from their sofas. New data from visa processing platform Atlys shows a rise in international travel driven by sports tourism—with Wimbledon and Formula 1 leading the charge. Wimbledon 2025 draws fans beyond the court Wimbledon, running from June 30 to July 13, 2025, has triggered a 28 per cent spike in UK visa-related search queries on Atlys. Hosted at the All England Club in London, the tournament has become more than a tennis fixture. Many visitors are combining match attendance with sightseeing and holiday stays across the UK. 'The interest we're seeing isn't limited to Centre Court,' said Mohak Nahta, founder and CEO of Atlys. 'People are planning entire trips around Wimbledon, often adding a few extra days to explore the region or even catch other events.' Formula 1 calendar fuels intercontinental bookings This year's Formula 1 season, featuring 24 races in 21 countries, has sparked a steady stream of visa-related searches in the run-up to major races. Activity on Atlys shows clear peaks in fan interest about 3 to 5 weeks ahead of each Grand Prix. Countries such as Italy, Monaco, Japan and the UK have all seen surges in visa searches—ranging from 18 per cent to 30 per cent—as fans book multi-day trips built around the race weekends. 'From Monza to Suzuka, fans are not just attending races. They're building full itineraries that combine sport with travel experiences,' said Nahta. Paris Olympics 2024 was a turning point The trend isn't new. In the lead-up to the Paris Olympics in 2024, Atlys recorded a 60 per cent rise in visa applications from India, along with a 50 per cent jump in sports-related travel inquiries. Group visa applications also climbed 45 per cent during the same period. Atlys' data suggests that fans are increasingly extending their stays, combining events across locations, and weaving sport into broader leisure plans. 'From what we see in visa search trends, sports have become one of the most influential forces shaping global mobility,' said Nahta. 'It's not just about attending a match or a race anymore; it's about being part of something bigger, something unforgettable.' Cricket brings a regional push The 2025 ICC Champions Trophy held in Dubai also offered a strong case. During the tournament, overall travel bookings to Dubai rose by nearly 45 per cent, according to Atlys. Cricket, long known for its dedicated fanbase, is now increasingly shaping travel decisions across South Asia and the Gulf. What is sports tourism? Sports tourism refers to travel for the purpose of attending or participating in sports. It includes everything from spectators flying to a new country to catch a match, to travellers joining local marathons or exploring golf resorts abroad. Fans often build extended itineraries around these events—taking in local culture, food, and other attractions before or after the match days. Global market is booming According to Allied Market Research, the global sports tourism market was valued at $323.4 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $1.8 trillion by 2030. That's a projected growth of over 16 per cent a year. Much of this is being driven by: • Major international tournaments • Growing middle-class incomes in Asia and Africa • Increasing interest in combining leisure with live sport India eyes its place on the global sports map India is now looking to harness this wave. On the same day an Indian delegation pitched to the International Olympic Committee for hosting rights to the 2036 Games, the cabinet approved the National Sports Policy 2025. The new policy outlines a long-term vision to make India one of the world's top five sporting nations by 2047. Information and broadcasting minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who launched the policy on Tuesday, said it was aimed at building 'world-class systems for training, coaching and holistic athlete support.' The plan also includes: • Hosting more international sporting events • Promoting India as a sports tourism destination • Integrating sports into the education system under the National Education Policy 2020 • Supporting the domestic sports manufacturing sector India's push aligns with growing global momentum in sports-driven travel. Whether it's fans chasing tennis in London, Grand Prix races across continents, or cricketing showdowns in the Gulf, sport is no longer just something to watch. It's becoming a reason to fly.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Atlys salutes dads for being 100% on time in its new Father's Day campaign
HighlightsAtlys, a visa processing platform, releases a Father's Day ad that humorously highlights the iconic role of Indian fathers who prepare meticulously for events, paralleling the brand's own approach to visa processing. The advertisement features a calm father managing chaotic household preparations, showcasing his knack for organization as he arranges travel documents in a unique system, reinforcing the message that paperwork is never a reason for delays. Santosh Hegde, head of marketing at Atlys, emphasizes the relatable and cheeky tone of the film, which resonates with anyone who has experienced their father's punctuality, while Mohak Nahta, founder and chief executive officer of Atlys, connects the brand's values to the characteristics of Indian dads. Atlys, a visa processing platform , celebrates Father's Day with a relatable film that turns the spotlight on the most iconic timekeepers of Indian households: dads. In the ad, Atlys draws a parallel between the way fathers meticulously prepare for life's small (and big) events and the brand's own approach to visa processing. The result? A visual rollercoaster that's equal parts chaos and calm, much like dads themselves. The ad taps into a universal Indian experience: a father who's always two steps ahead, never breaks a sweat, and makes everyone else look like they're chasing a moving train. The ad opens to a dad waking up before his alarm, as the line flashes: "Atlys is worried. It has competition." It's a cheeky nod to the one person who never needs a wake-up call. He's dressed before sunrise, reaching for the newspaper before it even hits the doorstep; not because the paperboy is late, but because dad is always early. As the household descends into a frenzy of last-minute chaos, he remains perfectly calm, quietly polishing his shoes. While the rest of the family scrambles to get ready for a 6PM event,he remains perfectly calm, quietly polishing his shoes since he got ready at 2PM. When it's the son's time to travel, his documents aren't just in order... they're arranged in alphabetical, chronological and a mysterious third system only dad understands. Because for dad, paperwork is never the reason a trip gets delayed. The final endplate delivers the brand's punchline: Indian dads are 100 per cent on time and Atlys is only 99.2 per cent of the way there. Santosh Hegde, head of marketing at Atlys said, "The tone is intentionally cheeky and familiar because let's face it, every Indian kid has lived this film." Mohak Nahta, founder and chief executive officer of Atlys said, "They represent what we've always aimed to be: ready before time, calm in chaos and borderline clairvoyant about getting things right. That's how we run Atlys." The film was conceptualised and scripted entirely in-house, showcasing Atlys' growing creative muscle alongside its product reliability. The visual language borrows from modern meme aesthetics: tight frames, locked shots and blink-and-you'll-miss-it details, all working to mirror the manic precision that dads and Atlys share. The campaign strikes a chord with anyone who's watched their father turn punctuality into performance art. It's advertising that doesn't overthink itself, choosing instead to celebrate the obsessive world of Indian dads while positioning Atlys as the logical heir to that legacy of getting things done right and on time. Watch the video here:
Hindustan Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Indian travellers shift away from Turkey, Azerbaijan, visa applications drop sharply: Report
Visa processing platform Atlys on Tuesday said visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan have declined by 42 per cent, following the outrage among Indians over the public support shown by both countries for Pakistan after India's Operation Sindoor. The show of support to Pakistan from Turkey and Azerbaijan in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor seems to have shifted Indian traveller sentiment. Indian travellers responded swiftly by deciding to avoid travelling to Turkey and Azerbaijan, Atlys said, according to a PTI news agency report. Within just 36 hours, the platform noted 60 per cent of users exiting the visa application process midway, it added. 'The reaction wasn't scattered, it was sharp and behavioural. People didn't need to be told to avoid certain destinations. They simply moved on, guided by instinct, information, and access to alternatives,' PTI quoted Atlys founder and CEO Mohak Nahta. "That's what modern travel looks like. It's emotionally intelligent, logistically agile, and backed by platforms that let people act fast. In the same spirit, we also paused all marketing efforts for Turkey and Azerbaijan, standing by India and in solidarity with national sentiment," Mehta added. According to the PTI report, the majority of the fall in visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan was from travellers in metro cities like Delhi and Mumbai, showing a 53 per cent drop in Turkey-bound applications, while interest from tier II cities such as Indore and Jaipur remained more resilient, with a decline of only 20 per cent. According to the data from Atlys, the reversal came after a strong start to the year (January-March), when visa applications to Turkey and Azerbaijan had witnessed a growth of nearly 64 per cent compared to the same period in 2024. Group visa requests, including family trips, fell by nearly 49 per cent, while solo and couple applications declined more gradually at 27 per cent. This suggests that larger group travellers, often planning further in advance and more sensitive to political sentiment, reacted more decisively than individual travellers. Atlys' data also revealed that travellers aged 25 to 34 years were the most likely to change course quickly, accounting for over 70 per cent of mid-process application drop-offs for Turkey. Interestingly, women travellers were more likely to switch destinations entirely, with a 2.3 times higher tendency to reinitiate applications for Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam or Thailand, Atlys said. Applications to Vietnam, Indonesia, and Egypt rose by up to 31 per cent. These countries, seen as affordable, accessible, and politically neutral, are now drawing attention from the same traveller base that once favoured Baku and Istanbul.
