Not All Trips Are the Same: 20 Travel Trends Changing the Way We Explore the World

Travel isn’t simply a means to getting to a place.

People travel for different reasons, have different sentiments and expectations today. Some make a vacation to get away from burnout. Others go on vacation to go to a concert, get away from their technology, look for cooler weather, or just go on vacation and do nothing.

The new travel trends are changing the way people travel and are becoming more personalized, meaningful and experience driven. Where do you want to go is a question that is increasingly becoming “How do I want to feel?”.

The transformation is also impacting the types of locations individuals opt to reside in. They are looking for more peaceful places to stay, natural adventures, less fast-paced travel and places that enable them to really unplug, recharge and get lost in the moment. It’s a trend that’s closely connected to the increasing popularity of handpicked nature vacations in which the vacation experience is as much a part of the vacation as the location.

Whether you’re looking to escape, relax, explore new foods, or enjoy some stargazing, here are 20 travel trends that are transforming the way we are traveling around the world.

All of these travel trends point to a shift in the focus of travel away from sightseeing and toward experiences, emotions and personal well-being. 

Menty B Travel: The Emergency Escape

Menty B Travel is a travel experience for those who are feeling overwhelmed by life and need to travel, but don’t have the time for a long trek.

People don’t come to the island to see the sights, but to relax, gain new perspectives, and refresh themselves. 

Where to try it

India

• Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh [Stays in Dharamshala]
• Rishikesh, Uttarakhand [Stays in Rishikesh]

International

• Ubud, Bali
• Chiang Mai, Thailand
• Queenstown, New Zealand

These places provide nature, other pace and space to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Room Rotting: The Art of Doing Nothing

In the past, it was thought that vacationing without doing anything was a bad idea, but now it’s a travel trend.

The concept of Room Rotting is to book a lovely hotel, villa or nature retreat and make the most of your time there.

What it looks like

• Sleeping in
• Reading books
• Ordering comfort food
• Watching sunsets
• Having a private pool to enjoy
• Listening to the sounds of rain 

Best destinations for Room Rotting

India

• Private villas in Goa
• Luxury stays in Udaipur
• Mountain retreats in Himachal Pradesh

International

• Maldives Overwater Villas
• Santorini, Greece
• Lake Como, Italy

Sometimes, the best itinerary is no itinerary at all.

Dry Tripping: Travel Without The Hangover

The emphasis of Dry Tripping is on wellness, nature and conscious experiences, rather than on nightlife and partying.

In lieu of bar hopping, travelers engage in hiking, yoga, wellness retreats and much more, all in an attempt to reconnect with nature. 

Best destinations for Dry Tripping

India

• Rishikesh
• Auroville
• Munnar [Stays in Munnar]

International

• Ubud, Bali
• Koh Yao Noi, Thailand
• Costa Rica

It shows that a wonderful trip doesn’t have to be made with the help of booze.

Micro-cation: Small Trip, Big Reset

A micro-cation is a brief vacation of 2-4 days.

Ideal for long weekends and hectic schedules, these getaways enable a traveler to refresh themselves without having to take a long vacation.

Great destinations for a Micro-cation

India

• Lonavala [Stays in Lonavala]
• Alibaug [Stays in Alibaug]
• Mussoorie [Stays in Mussoorie]
• Pondicherry 

International

• Napa Valley, USA
• Lake District, UK
• Nusa Penida, Indonesia

Travel is becoming more common and easily accessible through micro-cations. 

Side-Questing: Following Curiosity

Side questing is when travellers deviate from the plan and take advantage of new opportunities.

A secret cafe, a picturesque road, a local tip or an accident of the journey is usually the highlight of the journey. 

Best destinations for Side-Questing

India

• Goa [Stays in Goa]
• Meghalaya [Stays in Meghalaya]
• Spiti Valley
• Rural Rajasthan [Stays in Rajasthan]

International

• Iceland Ring Road
• New Zealand South Island
• Tuscany, Italy [Stays in Tuscany]

The best things are often the ones that you didn’t expect! 

Destination Dupe: Same Vibe, Fewer Crowds

Destination Dupes are lesser-known alternatives that offer a similar experience to famous tourist hotspots. 

Popular destination dupes

These options are becoming more popular because of their lower price, authenticity and less people. 

Why-cation: Travel Based On A Feeling

The first step in a Why-cation is a feeling.

Travelers don’t determine where they want to be, they determine how they want to feel. 

Examples

For peace

• Kumarakom, India [Stays in Kumarakom]
• Kyoto, Japan [Stays in Kyoto]

For adventure

• Leh-Ladakh, India [Stays in Leh]
• Patagonia, Chile

For creativity

• Pondicherry, India [Stays in Pondicherry]
• Lisbon, Portugal [Stays in Lisbon]

For romance

• Udaipur, India
• Santorini, Greece 

The destination turns into a means to evoke the desired feeling.

Set-Jetting: Travel Inspired By Screens

The impact of movies, television or social media on travel decisions is greater than ever.

Set-jetting is a trend in which tourists go to places that they’re attracted to after watching them on screen.

Popular Set-Jetting destinations

India

• Kashmir [Stays in Jammu & Kashmir]
• Jodhpur [Stays in Jodhpur]
• Darjeeling [Stays in Darjeeling]

International

• Dubrovnik, Croatia (Game of Thrones)
• New Zealand (The Lord of the Rings)
• Paris, France (Emily in Paris) [Stays in Paris]

Certain places can end up being added to your bucket list long before you’ve even typed the name into Google.

Coolcation: Escaping The Heat

Coolcations are one of the hottest travel trends going these days, as many countries experience an increase in temperatures.

People are looking for destinations with cooler climates as opposed to tropical beaches.

Best Coolcation destinations

India

• Tawang
• Kashmir
• Auli
• Munsiyari
• Spiti Valley

International

• Switzerland
• Norway
• Iceland
• Canadian Rockies

The cool air, views of the mountains and fresh air are making these locations more and more appealing. 

Gig Tripping: The Event Is The Destination

Gig Tripping is when a concert, festival, sporting event or live event becomes the impetus for an entire trip. 

Popular Gig Tripping experiences

India

• Music festivals in Goa
• Major concerts in Mumbai [Stays in Mumbai]
• Cultural festivals in Jaipur [Stays in Jaipur]

International

• Coachella, USA
• Tomorrowland, Belgium
• Glastonbury, UK

The experience of the event is the main focus of the trip. 

Some of these travel trends have been reinforced by social media, the evolution of traveler behaviour, while others are based on a broader transformation in traveler life patterns concerning work, wellbeing, sustainability and leisure. 

Staycation: Escaping Without Going Far

A staycation is a vacation that is taken within a short distance from home.

This trend is gaining popularity around major cities with luxury resorts, wellness retreats and nature stays all around. 

Why people love it

• Lower costs
• Less planning
• Reduced travel fatigue
• More flexibility

Sometimes the ideal getaway is just around the corner! 

Workcation: Working With A Better View

A workcation is a combination of remote working and traveling.

Travelers move to other places for work and leisure in a temporary relocation, rather than working from home.

Best Workcation destinations

India

• Goa
• Dharamshala
• Coorg
• Udaipur

International

• Bali
• Lisbon
• Madeira
• Canggu

These places offer stable internet access, motivating environments, and a more relaxed lifestyle, which are all perfect for remote workers.

Slow Travel: Experience More By Doing Less

Slow travel promotes “more time in fewer places.

Instead of making a quick stop at various places, travelers are able to absorb the local culture, local food, local traditions and local lifestyle.

Best destinations for Slow Travel

India

• Kerala Backwaters [Stays in Kerala]
• Pondicherry
• Hampi
• Coorg

International

• Tuscany, Italy
• Kyoto, Japan
• Provence, France

The emphasis is on quality, not quantity. 

Soft Travel: Travel Without Pressure

There may be instances where soft travel and slow travel coincide, but it is important to note that they are not synonymous.

Slow travel is about a deeper level of involvement, while soft travel is about stress reduction, flexibility and ease. 

Best destinations for Soft Travel

India

• Wayanad [Stays in Wayanad]
• Kumarakom
• Tirthan Valley
• Mukteshwar

International

• Lake Bled, Slovenia
• Hallstatt, Austria [Stays in Hallstatt]
• Scottish Highlands [Stays in Scottish Highlands]

No packed itineraries. No pressure to visit all places. So much room to breathe.

Digital Detox Travel: Disconnect To Reconnect

The luxury for lots of travelers is now available to be unavailable.

Digital detox travel is an effort to get people to take a break from notifications, email and social media. 

Great destinations for Digital Detox

India

• Tirthan Valley
• Remote Ladakh
• Meghalaya’s villages

International

• Bhutan
• Patagonia
• Faroe Islands

It’s nature that is the entertainment. 

Main Character Travel: Living In Your Own Movie

In the world of main character travel, it’s all about making cinematic moments.

Imagine picturesque train rides, scenic views, misty mornings, and out-of-this-dreamlike experiences. 

Best destinations

India

• Kashmir
• Udaipur
• Munnar [Stays in Munnar]
• Jibhi

International

• Cappadocia, Turkey
• Swiss Alps
• Kyoto, Japan
• Amalfi Coast, Italy [Stays in Amalfi Coast]

It’s more about the journey than the destination. To make memories that are unforgettable!

Regenerative Travel: Leave A Positive Impact

Regenerative Travel is more than just sustainable.

Travelers do not do so little.Travelers do not do so little, but rather they do so much.

Examples

• Promoting community tourism schemes
• Residing in green hotels
• Being involved in conservation activities
• Selecting local experiences by local people 

This trend in traveling is for guests to go to, and come back from, a place better than they found it. 

Bleisure Travel: Business Meets Leisure

Bleisure travel is a combination of business traveling and leisure traveling.

Business trips are extended by a couple of days to include local trips by professionals. 

Popular Bleisure combinations

India

• Bengaluru + Coorg [Stays in Bengaluru]
• Mumbai + Alibaug [Stays in Mumbai]
• Delhi + Rishikesh [Stays in New Delhi]
• Jaipur + Udaipur [Stays in Udaipur]

International

• Singapore + Bali 
• London + Cotswolds [Stays in London]
• Dubai + Oman [Stays in Dubai]

A work commitment turns into a place to find a fresh place. 

Culinary Tourism: Following The Food

Food is not a part of the trip for culinary tourists. It is the trip.

Top culinary destinations

India

• Amritsar [Stays in Amritsar]
• Lucknow [Stays in Lucknow]
• Hyderabad [Stays in Hyderabad]
• Kolkata [Stays in Kolkata]
• Old Delhi

International

• Tokyo, Japan
• Bangkok, Thailand
• Bologna, Italy [Stays in Bologna]
• Istanbul, Turkey [Stays in Istanbul]

Each meal provides a greater insight into the culture and traditions. 

Noctourism: Exploring After Dark

Noctourism is about the nighttime activities that many tourists don’t consider. 

Unique Noctourism experiences

India

• Stargazing in Hanle, Ladakh
• Night safaris in Madhya Pradesh
• Astronomy tourism in Spiti Valley

International

• Tromsø, Norway
• Iceland
• Atacama Desert, Chile
• Finnish Lapland

As dark nights have become rare, travel experiences are becoming more popular throughout the world. 

The Future Of Travel Is Personal

The one thing that will stick with you from these travel trends is that today’s travel is more purposeful. What is more important, however, is that these travelling trends reveal that travelers are no longer interested in one-size-fits-all vacations, but rather experiences, which match their lifestyle and objectives. 

Individuals aren’t selecting places to visit by themselves. They are selecting emotions, experiences, lifestyle and personal objectives.

Others travellers require a Menty B getaway. Some others are organizing a Coolcation, a Workcation or a Digital Detox. Some people like to experience Slow Travel, others like to experience Soft Travel. Some are creating food-themed tours, concerts, movie sets, health and wellness, and even night sky tours.

The places people stay is as crucial as the destinations they go to, as travellers are looking for slower and more meaningful experiences as well as experiences that involve nature. From a Digital Detox retreat in the mountains, to Room Rotting by the lake, or Soft Traveling in the countryside, selecting the right place can make all the difference to the trip.

It’s no hype, these travel trends are a reality. They embody the landscape of travellers’ new definition of a vacation in a world where experiences are more important than ever.

What sort of traveller are you then?

A Side-Quester? A Set-Jetter? A Culinary Tourist? Or someone who is thinking about his next Why-cation?

In either case, it’s clear that things are not the same for all trips. 

FAQs

1. What are the biggest travel trends right now?

Some of the biggest travel trends include Coolcations, Workcations, Slow Travel, Soft Travel, Digital Detox Travel, Culinary Tourism, Noctourism, Why-cations, and Set-Jetting.

2. What is the difference between slow travel and soft travel?

Slow Travel focuses on spending more time in fewer places and experiencing local culture deeply. Soft Travel focuses on reducing stress, avoiding over-planned itineraries, and prioritizing comfort and flexibility.

3. What is a “why-cation”?

A “why-cation” is a trip planned around a specific feeling or goal rather than a destination. Travelers choose places based on emotions such as peace, adventure, creativity, or relaxation.

4. Why are Coolcations becoming popular?

Coolcations are growing because travelers are seeking destinations with pleasant weather and relief from increasingly hot summers.

5. What is Digital Detox Travel?

Digital Detox Travel encourages travelers to disconnect from phones, emails, notifications, and social media to focus on real-world experiences and nature.

6. What is Noctourism?

“Noctourism” refers to travel experiences that take place after dark, including stargazing, astronomy tourism, night safaris, Northern Lights viewing, and other nighttime adventures.