International travel demand resilient despite crises, says VFS Global CEO

International travel demand demonstrates inherent resilience to global disruptions, with crises typically causing only short-term anxiety rather than permanent damage to the sector, according to Zubin Karkaria, founder and chief executive of VFS Global, a leading visa and mobility services provider.

Speaking at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit 2026, Karkaria noted that during periods of instability, domestic travel demand typically accelerates as travelers redirect their plans inward. This temporary shift in consumer behaviour does not diminish appetite for international mobility, but rather delays it.

"Travel will always come back with a vengeance," Karkaria stated, emphasizing that once logistical hurdles ease and uncertainty recedes, international travel rebounds with notable force. The pattern reflects deep-rooted consumer desire for cross-border mobility and tourism.

The remarks come as the travel and tourism sector continues to navigate various geopolitical and economic pressures. Industry observers increasingly view disruptions as cyclical phenomena rather than structural threats, with historical data supporting predictions of sustained long-term growth despite periodic headwinds.

VFS Global, which processes visa applications and travel documentation for numerous countries, maintains extensive visibility into global travel patterns and consumer sentiment. The company's assessment suggests that stakeholders in the travel ecosystem should prepare for periodic volatility while maintaining confidence in the sector's fundamental growth trajectory.