There was a time when summer travel in India meant predictable hill station itineraries, overcrowded sightseeing spots and rushed long weekends squeezed
between office calendars. However, Indian travellers today are rethinking all of it. It is not just about where they travel but also the way they travel. As per new data shared by Cleartrip, this summer's travel trends shed light on a noticeable shift toward high-value, experience-led holidays - particularly luxury "coolcations." As per the data, five-star hotel bookings have surged by a remarkable 108.2% - outpacing both premium and budget categories. Hotels as a category saw an overall increase of over 80%. Then there were air bookings that grew by over 20%, while bus travel rose by more than 35%. This suggested that Indians are not just travelling more, but also travelling differently. Also Read: Jump, Slide, Repeat: Reha Adani Calls Canyoneering At Kawasan Falls A Must-Do Adventure
But What Exactly Is A Coolcation?
The term, as the name suggests, refers to holidays planned around cooler climates and milder destinations. Basically it offers an alternative to heat-heavy beach vacations or crowded urban tourism.However, there is a catch: Today's coolcation is not about roughing it in a basic hillside guesthouse. It is more about infinity pools that overlook the misty valleys, temperature-controlled suites that offer panoramic windows, spa treatments which use local botanicals, and farm-to-table dining experiences that rival metropolitan restaurants.
And hence the 108% surge in five-star bookings. Some of the factors driving this pivot are:
- Post-pandemic Priorities: The years following COVID-19 have fundamentally altered how many Indians view discretionary spending. The phrase "life is short" became less of a cliche and more of a budgeting philosophy. And so, experiences, particularly high-quality ones, have moved up the priority list.
- Rise Of Remote Work: Many professionals now have the flexibility to extend weekends into week-long workcations. For instance: When your laptop is your office, suddenly that five-star resort in Coorg becomes a doable workplace.
- Social Media's Visual Economy: Let's be real! The Instagram-worthy pool shot against a Himalayan backdrop is its own form of social currency. Budget accommodations rarely offer the aesthetic backdrops that today's travellers seek. And so, the five-star property, with its curated interiors, delivers content alongside comfort.
So, Where Are Indians Cooling Off?
The coolcation map is more about emerging destinations. The classics remain Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, and Ooty. These places continue to draw crowds which are seeking relief from the plains. The luxury traveller, however, is increasingly venturing to places like:The Northeast which has emerged as a major beneficiary with Shillong, Gangtok and Tawang offering both cooler climes and a sense of discovery that overcrowded hill stations can no longer provide. Ladakh, despite its challenging accessibility, continues to command premium bookings from travellers.
Coastal Karnataka and Kerala also offer a different flavour of coolcation. They are not cooler in the literal sense, but are definitely defined by sea breezes, Ayurvedic retreats, and a pace of life that itself feels like a temperature drop from the frenetic energy of Indian metros.
