Priority Pass reports 56% surge in airport experience visits by Indian travellers to Asia Pacific, ET TravelWorld

Collinson International, a global leader in airport experiences and owner of Priority Pass, has reported a 56 per cent increase in visits to airport lounges and travel experiences by Indian travellers in Asia Pacific during the first half of 2024 compared to the same period in 2023. Thailand, Singapore, and Malaysia emerged as the top destinations for Indian travellers within the region.

This surge in travel reflects a broader trend observed by Collinson International, which has expanded its offerings in response to growing demand. The company has more than doubled its dining, refreshment, and relaxation experiences at airports across Asia Pacific over the past 12 months.

Within India, Priority Pass lounges and travel experiences have seen a significant uptick in popularity among domestic travellers. From January to June 2024, there was a 55 per cent increase in visits to these facilities by Indian travellers compared to the same period last year. Notably, visits to alternative travel experiences such as spas, sleep pods, and restaurants grew by 71 per cent, outpacing the 54 per cent growth in visits to traditional airport lounges. The cities with the highest lounge and travel experience visits were New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Chennai.

Global trends
On a global scale, travel has rebounded strongly this year. Asia Pacific, led by Thailand and followed closely by India, mainland China, Singapore, and South Korea, has become a focal point for travel growth. Collinson International reported a 46 per cent increase in visits from global travellers to Indian airport lounges and travel experiences in the first six months of 2024 compared to the same period last year.To meet the evolving needs of travellers, Collinson International has expanded its network of airport lounges and travel experiences in Asia Pacific by 15 per cent over the past year. The Priority Pass network now includes close to 650 airport lounges and travel experiences in the region, with over 100 of these being travel experiences. In India, the network also grew by 15 per cent.

Sumit Prakash, Country Director, India and South Asia, Collinson International, commented, “Indian travellers are more enthusiastic than ever about exploring both domestically and internationally. They are increasingly seeking new ways to enhance their travel experiences, starting at the airport. We are delighted to grow our inventory of airport lounges and travel experiences to meet the evolving needs of Indian travellers. We look forward to continuing to enhance the experiences of our members and clients’ customers, turning every journey into something special.”Collinson International continues to expand its Priority Pass network with new lounges and experiences. Recent additions include Kyra Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport, lounges in mainland China through a partnership with China Eastern Airlines, and new facilities in Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Thailand.

New airport experiences have also been introduced, such as the Soo Ceylon Cafe and Tea Lounge at Colombo Bandaranaike International Airport, TranSpa and Asian Street Kitchen at Singapore Changi Airport, Yakisuki Yanma at Narita Airport in Japan, and the Capsule Transit Max at Kuala Lumpur International Airport, which offers gym and steam bath facilities.

These expansions contribute to a global network of over 1,600 airport lounges and travel experiences that Priority Pass Members and LoungeKey cardholders can enjoy.