New Delhi: Travel today is more than just the number of days you are going out to a touristy spot to explore the famous places, eat good food or hang out with
friends and family, or just be in the hotel for days and return. The meaning to look at travel has definitely changed, and to something better, people are now more curious to know about the place, learn history, culture, experience the local living, food and art, they want to unfold and seek experiences which evoke emotion, meaning and deeper connections with the self or the world.
From mindful escapes to micro-breaks and environment-conscious travel, travel in 2025 has seen a major shift and is reshaping the global conversation. Booking.com in collaboration with Metlwater, released a compelling report for 2025, which showed India’s changing travel motivations and the way people now look at travel and experiences.
Top travel words of the year 2025
1. Noctourism
Night-time focused travel on stargazing, low-light stays and after-dark adventures. This is one of the trends which became popular in 2025 and captured India’s imagination as travellers sought cooler nights, slower experiences and deeper immersion.
2. Calmcation
Getaways prioritising mindfulness, relaxation and rejuvenation. As per Booking.com travel predictions 2205, 83 per cent of travellers showed interest in longevity-focused stays and where they find peace.
3. Frolleagues
Trips where coworkers double as travel companions, blending productivity, leisure and shared bonding experiences.
4. Eco-scape
A way to travel more consciously, committed to reducing environmental impact. As per Booking.com’s Travel and Sustainability report 2025, 87 per cent of indian travellers expressed willingness to travel sustainably.
5. Bucket-list-breaks
Taking a break from your usual routine and planning a trip or taking a vacation that you have always dreamt of, or living the moments you thought were nearly impossible.
Other notable words shaping this evolving landscape include Solo Group Travel (solo travel with elements of social connections), Gastro-trails (culinary-focused travel), Impulse escapes (YOLO inspired spontaneous trips), Microcations (short, memorable vacations). These words reflect a deeper desire among travellers for authentic cultural depth, conscious choices, meaningful social connections and greater work-life balance through their journeys.
What is Noctourism?
A blend of night and tourism, Noctourism highlights the rising fascination with travelling after dark to explore a destination differently. Think peaceful stargazing escapes, cool desert safaris, illuminated heritage walks, wellness stays under moonlight, glowing bioluminescent beaches, or simply enjoying more pleasant night temperatures.
Booking.com’s research revealed that 78 per cent of Indian travellers expressed interest in night-time travel experiences in 2025, showing a clear shift toward rhythmic, sensory exploration that prioritises serenity over sightseeing rush.
People are now focused on more personal, purposeful and emotionally resonant travel than just going on a holiday. Seeing this might set up some path for 2026 to help people connect with nature, people and themselves.
