KAZIN DMC doubles down on Europe as Central Asia demand gathers pace; eyes global recognition

Vikrant Grover, Director at KAZIN DMC, discusses strengthening trade partnerships and the company's vision to become a globally recognised specialist for Central Asia and the Caucasus

Having built its reputation as a specialist destination management company for Central Asia and the Caucasus, KAZIN DMC is now taking its next step on the global stage. The company has opened its first European sales office in Brussels. For KAZIN, the move is about diversifying source markets while reinforcing its stronghold in India, a market it believes will continue to remain one of its biggest growth engines. 

Speaking to T3, Vikrant Grover, Director, KAZIN DMC, said the Brussels office is a natural progression in the company’s long-term global growth strategy rather than a shift in focus away from India and also the company’s vision to create a more branched out business. 

“While Asia and the GCC continue to remain our largest and most important source markets, we have witnessed a steady rise in interest from European travel professionals seeking authentic, well-managed experiences across Central Asia and the Caucasus,” he said. 

According to Grover, Europe will complement rather than compete with India’s outbound business. While India continues to generate significant outbound volumes, Europe presents opportunities across premium leisure, cultural tourism, adventure travel and incentive groups, helping KAZIN build a more diversified and resilient business. The timing also coincides with a broader shift in Indian outbound travel. 

Once considered niche, destinations such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Azerbaijan and Georgia have rapidly moved into the mainstream travel conversation. “Just a few years ago, these destinations were considered offbeat. Today, they are among the fastest-growing outbound markets for Indian travellers,” Grover observed. He attributes this transformation to multiple factors, including improved air connectivity, easier visa processes and competitive pricing, alongside changing traveller preferences. 

Grover also believes the region’s appeal lies in its diversity. From Silk Road heritage and alpine landscapes to luxury hospitality and value-for-money experiences, Central Asia and the Caucasus are attracting honeymooners, families, MICE groups and destination weddings alike. 

He also credits social media with accelerating destination awareness. Images of snow-covered mountains, alpine lakes, ancient cities and modern urban experiences have inspired a new generation of Indian travellers looking for destinations that remain relatively unexplored. 

As a destination management company focused exclusively on the CA region, KAZIN has also witnessed increasing confidence among Indian travel agents, adding that the region is only at the beginning of its growth trajectory. 

MICE leads; experience-led travel driving demand 

Grover believes the Indian outbound traveller has undergone a significant transformation over the past decade, with experiences replacing sightseeing as the primary motivation for travel. “Indian travellers are becoming more experienced and are actively seeking destinations that offer something beyond the traditional Europe or Southeast Asia itinerary,” he said. 

While KAZIN is witnessing growth across multiple segments, luxury travel, MICE and destination celebrations are emerging as its strongest performers. Affluent Indian travellers are increasingly seeking tailor made itineraries featuring private experiences, luxury accommodation, gourmet dining and exclusive access to authentic destinations. The MICE segment, in particular, continues to be one of KAZIN’s strongest growth drivers, as per Grover. 

“Central Asia and the Caucasus offer the perfect balance of accessibility, world-class infrastructure and exceptional value. These destinations allow businesses to deliver premium experiences without the costs typically associated with Western Europe,” Grover explained. 

Destination weddings are also gaining momentum. Countries including Azerbaijan, Georgia and Kazakhstan are attracting Indian wedding planners with scenic venues, luxury hospitality and the flexibility to host both intimate celebrations and large-scale events. Beyond luxury and celebrations, experiential travel is emerging as another defining trend. Luxury yurt stays under the stars in Kazakhstan, Silk Road journeys through Uzbekistan, wine tourism in Georgia, trekking in Kyrgyzstan and immersive cultural interactions are increasingly finding favour with Indian travellers. 

Awareness over connectivity 

While improved aviation links have been instrumental in opening up the region, Grover believes air connectivity is no longer the biggest hurdle. According to him, the industry’s focus should now shift towards increasing flight frequencies, ensuring year-round seat capacity and expanding direct connectivity beyond India’s metro cities. Instead, he sees destination awareness as the industry’s biggest challenge. 

“Many travellers have heard of Kazakhstan or Uzbekistan, but they are still discovering the incredible diversity these countries offer. We need to invest more in education, storytelling and joint marketing initiatives involving tourism boards, airlines and destination management companies,” he said. 

Grover also emphasised the need for faster visa processing, coordinated airline schedules, integrated tourism infrastructure and continued investment in premium hospitality to create seamless travel experiences. Despite the challenges, he remains optimistic that Central Asia and the Caucasus will soon move from emerging destinations to established favourites across leisure, MICE and destination celebrations. 

2025 a defining year

For KAZIN DMC itself, 2025 proved to be a milestone year. “Despite global geopolitical uncertainties and changing travel dynamics, we delivered one of our strongest years in terms of revenue growth, strengthened our partnerships across the region and significantly expanded our market presence,” Grover said. 

“Our growth has never been about adding destinations for the sake of expansion. It has been about building strong local teams, trusted supplier relationships and delivering consistently high service standards,” he noted. The company’s next phase centres on becoming a truly global destination management company. Alongside India, KAZIN plans to strengthen its presence in Europe while also investing in the GCC, Southeast Asia and other emerging outbound markets. 

At the same time, the company plans to deepen its focus on MICE, luxury travel, destination weddings and curated leisure experiences, supported by investments in technology, sales capabilities and local talent. “Our objective is not simply to increase volumes but to create a stronger, more diversified business that is resilient across multiple markets,” Grover said. 

Looking ahead, KAZIN also intends to strengthen partnerships with tourism boards, airlines, hotel groups and travel trade partners as it works towards becoming a globally recognised specialist for Central Asia and the Caucasus.