List of Best Travel Stocks in India 2024

Have you ever thought about how you can gain from India’s growing tourism sector? With millions of travelers moving across India’s rich cultural and natural terrains, investing in travel stocks could be on your path to prosperity. 

In this blog, we will discuss the leading companies engaged in the travel sector based on market capitalization and 1-year returns so that your investment journey will be as rewarding as the travels you carry out.

Overview Of the Travel Industry in India

The travel and tourism industry is a major player in the Indian economy, making up 9.1% of the GDP and employing more than 40 million people. In 2023, India witnessed a 106% rise in the number of foreign tourists for the first 6 months of the year as compared to 2022, and its recovery from the pandemic was brisk. From global tourists to domestic travelers, India offers something unique to everyone. Travel and tourism industry revenues for 2024 are projected at $ 22.30 billion, and with a CAGR of 8.87%, the revenues are expected to reach $34.11 billion by 2029. 

The Ministry of Tourism has introduced initiatives like the “Incredible India” campaign and infrastructure projects under Swadesh Darshan to uplift the sector. India’s tourism industry is poised for explosive growth, which will benefit its economy and help create jobs.

Top Travel Stocks based on market capitalization

The Top Travel Stocks in 2024 are:

The travel stocks have been listed in descending order based on their market capitalization in the table below:

Best Travel Stocks in India 2024 Based on Market Capitalization

A brief overview of the best travel stocks in India is given below:

1. Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation Ltd.

Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) Ltd. was incorporated in 1999. It provides online ticketing, catering, and tourism services. IRCTC books in excess of 8 million tickets every day through its website and app and has 66 million registered users. It has brought digital convenience to train travel. IRCTC was listed on the Indian stock exchange in 2019.

2. BLS International Services Ltd.

BLS International Services Ltd. was established in 2005 and provides visa, passport, consular, and citizen services to its clients. The company is a part of the BLS Group. The company got its first visa processing contract in 2005 from the Portuguese Embassy in New Delhi. Between 2008 and 2010, the company started providing services to the Indian Embassy in Spain, Kuwait, Sudan, and Russia. BLS International also provides citizen services to Afghan nationals in UAE, Kuwait, Oman, etc. The company’s headquarters is in New Delhi.

3. Thomas Cook (India) Ltd.

Thomas Cook Limited is one of India’s premier travel and tourism services providers, and it was incorporated in 1881. Their services include travel insurance, foreign exchange, visas, passports, and holiday packages. With its vast network across the country, the company caters to leisure and business travels alike. The company’s business model is based on the integration of conventional travel services with digital solutions, improving customer experiences. 

4. Easy Trip Planners Ltd.

Easy Trip Planners Ltd. was incorporated in 2008 and is one of India’s top online travel agencies, operating under the brand name EaseMyTrip. The company offers an extended portfolio of services related to booking flights, hotels, holiday packages, and bus and train tickets. The company was listed on the stock exchange in 2021. The company’s headquarters is located in New Delhi.

5. Le Travenues Technology (IXIGO) Ltd.

Le Travenues Technology Ltd. was founded in 2007 and offers an OTA platform named IXIGO for travel and hotel booking. It has based its business model on AI-driven technology that comprises flight, train, bus, and hotel bookings, together with personalized travel recommendations. Ixigo is serving millions of users through its user-friendly mobile apps and websites in its endeavor to become a key player in the travel tech industry. 

6. Yatra Online Ltd.

Yatra Online Ltd. is one of the biggest online travel agencies in India, founded in 2006. The business model adopted by the company focuses on providing an end-to-end travel services platform that starts from flight bookings and hotel reservations to holiday packages, bus and train ticket reservations, and car rentals. Yatra offers its services not only to individual travelers but also to corporate clients. Yatra Online was listed on the Indian Stock Exchange in 2023. The company’s headquarters is in Gurgaon.

7. International Travel House Ltd.

International Travel House Ltd. came into being in 1981, and the company has since evolved into one of India’s premier travel and tourism companies. The company caters to domestic and international markets and offers a host of services in areas like corporate travel management, car rentals, ticketing, event management, and so on. International Travel House has spread across the length and breadth of India by opening offices in various major cities. It is a trusted partner for business travel needs due to reliable and personalized services.

Top Travel Stocks Based on 1-Year Return

The travel stocks have been listed in descending order based on their 1-year returns in the table below:

Best Travel Stocks in India 2024 Based on 1-Year Return

The best travel stocks according to 1-year returns are given below, along with a brief overview:

Mahasagar Travels Ltd.

Mahasagar Travels Ltd., founded in 1993, has carved out a niche for itself as one of the more established travel companies in India. The company’s business model involves providing customers with a great network of intercity and interstate bus routes, serving millions of passengers annually. Equipped with a fleet of luxury and sleeper buses, the company ensures its customers’ travel experience is delightful.

An overview of the remaining stocks has been given above.

Key Performance Indicators 

Benefits of Investing in Travel Stocks

There are various benefits of investing in travel stocks, a few of which are mentioned below- 

• Economic Growth: The travel and tourism industry currently contributes nearly 9% to India’s GDP. With economic development and a rise in disposable incomes, the industry is expected to grow in the future, which will result in increased revenues and profits for the companies engaged in this sector.
• Diversification – Investing in travel stocks provides diversification benefits and lowers the risk in your portfolio. 
• Rise in Tourism: India is expected to receive over 13 million international tourists in 2024, which presents an opportunity for travel companies to increase their revenues, resulting in price appreciation of their stocks.

Factors to Consider Before Investing in Travel Stocks

Before making any investment in the travel stocks, there are various factors to be taken into consideration:

• Global Events – Any global event that causes an economic slowdown can decrease travel expenditure and impact the travel industry adversely.
• Government Policies –Government initiatives like Swadesh Darshan and Incredible India help in supporting the travel sector.
• Competition: Due to the rise in foreign tourists, investors must identify companies that will benefit the most.

The Future of Travel Industry

The future of the travel and tourism industry looks bright in India as the revenues from the travel and tourism industry are expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.87% in the next 5 years. Government endeavors such as Incredible India and Swadesh Darshan are improving infrastructure and publicizing lesser-known tourist destinations. By 2025, the country will likely witness over 15 million international tourists, an increase from the 13.34 million tourists expected in 2024. 

Conclusion

To summarize, the travel and tourism industry presents an attractive investment opportunity to investors. Tourism will increase due to rising disposable incomes and support from government initiatives. However, investors must thoroughly analyze the financial statements and analyze key performance indicators and market trends to make informed investment decisions or consult a financial advisor before investing.

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