~Survey shows 39% of international travellers make spontaneous travel plans, with 41% opting for visa-free countries~
India’s pioneering travel-banking fintech platform, Niyo, has launched Niyo Express – a 24- hour doorstep delivery service for its international debit card, designed specifically for last-minute international travellers.
The service is currently available across Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Pune and Bangalore. Keeping in mind the summer travel season, Niyo is offering this service completely free for a limited time period.
The launch of Niyo Express is a direct response to emerging travel trends and the evolving needs of international travellers.
Ahead of this launch, Niyo conducted a survey to understand the reasons behind last-minute travel and found that leisure or spontaneous plans account for 39%, followed by work-related travel at 20.6%. Additionally, 27.9% cited other reasons, with family emergencies and visa delays representing 8.8% and 3.7%, respectively. Niyo’s recent annual travel insight report, Niyo Rewind 2024, revealed that 48% of all flight bookings in 2024 were made just 0-7 days before departure, and 30% of visa bookings occurred 16-30 days prior to travel.
This shift has often left travellers scrambling for forex solutions whether it’s cards not arriving on time, being charged steep rates by local forex agents, or resorting to informal group arrangements to access currency. Recognising these pain points, Niyo strategically designed this quick-commerce service to eliminate delays, cut hidden costs, and ensure a hassle-free, reliable, and cost-effective experience.
Niyo Express empowers international travellers to have their Niyo DCB Debit Card delivered within 24 hours, along with doorstep assistance for KYC verification, account setup, and card activation – making travel banking as agile as their travel plans. The service has been launched in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Pune and Delhi-NCR, with plans for further expansion.
Vinay Bagri, Co-founder and CEO of Niyo, said, “As international travel continues to rise, particularly among first-time travellers, and with the growing accessibility of visa-free destinations, impromptu travel plans have become more common than ever. Coupled with India’s thriving quick-commerce culture, it’s clear that the needs of today’s travellers are evolving rapidly. With Niyo Express, we are redefining travel banking by offering fast, seamless solutions that cater to these changing demands, ensuring our customers have access to the financial tools they need, when they need them.”
Niyo’s survey also highlighted that 14.1% of international travellers consciously make last-minute travel plans (within less than a month), while 53.3% plan moderately in advance (1-3 months before departure) and 32.6% plan well in advance (3+ months). Additionally, 41.9% of international travellers are opting for visa-free destinations due to last-minute travel plans.