5 trends that will define how you travel in 2025 Premium

In 2025, Indian travellers embrace shared experiences, noctourism, destination dining, wellness, elevated airport experiences, and AI assistance in travel.

In 2024, Indian travellers showed no signs of slowing down, with rising costs and uncertainties failing to dampen their enthusiasm. Travel was all about creating shared experiences, from attending sold-out concerts by artistes like Coldplay and Dua Lipa to exploring unique destinations with friends and family.

Looking ahead to 2025, this trend of seeking shared experiences is set to grow. From cheering at cricket matches to working with a view of the mountains, Indians in 2025 are expected to embrace travel with creativity, care for the planet, and thirst for meaningful moments.

The noctourism boom

Noctourism, or nocturnal tourism, is shaping up to be one of the most exciting travel trends for 2025, especially in India, where the diverse landscapes and clear night skies create the perfect setting for after-dark adventures. Imagine stargazing in Hanle, Ladakh, home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory and now India’s first dark-sky reserve, or witnessing the mysterious Chir Batti lights in the Banni grasslands of Gujarat. Places like Spiti Valley in Himachal Pradesh offer high-altitude stargazing opportunities, while Coorg in Karnataka provides magical nocturnal experiences amid coffee plantations and dense forests. Then, there are the bioluminescent beaches of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, where the ocean glows at night.

Hotelier Avijit Singh of House of Rohet in Jodhpur says, since 2020 the property has observed a steady increase in interest in night-time activities, such as stargazing and night safaris. “This shift aligns with a change in booking patterns; previously, most guests arrived through travel agents with fixed itineraries, limiting their activity choices. Now, with more guests booking directly or online, there’s greater flexibility to explore various offerings,” says Avijit. He believes while stargazing may not typically be the primary reason guests choose House of Rohet, he believes many will be eager to participate upon discovering its availability. The property offers guests a captivating stargazing experience using a high-quality reflecting telescope equipped with auto-alignment technology. An on-site expert conducts engaging 30 to 40-minute sessions. “Activities like night safaris and evening walks have also gained popularity, reflecting a growing trend among travellers,” he adds.

Destination dining

In 2024, India’s rich culinary heritage attracted a growing number of travellers eager to savour its diverse flavours. The travel and tourism sector contributed around 9.1% to the total GDP of the country, with culinary tourism playing a pivotal role in this growth. Looking ahead to 2025, this appetite for gastronomic adventures is set to intensify.