“As travellers prioritize eco-conscious escapes, milestone celebrations, and immersive experiences, we’re seeing a clear shift in how journeys are planned and experienced”- Hari Ganapathy, Co-founder, Pickyourtrail
Pickyourtrail, India’s international holiday brand, unveils the top 12 trends for 2025, inspired by how India travelled in 2024.
Travel where the Rupee rules, with favorable currency rates, sees destinations like Japan and Sri Lanka emerging as hotspots for luxury experiences at budget prices. Younger travellers (median age: 31) led the charge to short-haul destinations like Sri Lanka in 2024, balancing affordability with unforgettable cultural and tropical escapes.
Turning layovers into mini vacays is another trend, with stopovers in Istanbul, Doha, and Dubai offering free stays and discounted cultural tours, turning transit time into bonus travel. In 2024, these destinations were among the top spontaneous choices, reflecting a growing love for quick, hassle-free experiences.
Affordable luxury in unexpected places is gaining traction, with destinations like Perth (with flights starting at ₹30k) and Georgia capturing the imagination of budget-savvy travellers seeking high-end experiences without the hefty price tags. This trend mirrors 2024’s family travel spending, where families allocated ₹1.5L to ₹2.5L for trips to value-packed luxury destinations like Bali and Thailand, balancing memorable experiences with practical budgets.
Set-jetting, or travel inspired by pop culture, is shaping bucket lists, with destinations like Croatia’s Dubrovnik (Game of Thrones) and Dubai (Real Housewives) gaining popularity. In 2024, offbeat spots like Dubrovnik and Koh Tao saw a surge as travellers sought cinematic experiences.
Travel smarter, not “peak-season” harder, is becoming a choice for DINK couples and remote workers who are avoiding the crowds by travelling in off-peak seasons. Europe in autumn or tropical paradises pre-monsoon are becoming go-to choices. In 2024, travellers increasingly favoured quieter months to escape the bustle and enjoy cost savings. Marking milestones in style is trending, with milestone celebrations like 40th birthdays in Tuscany or family reunions in Iceland becoming global affairs.
In 2024, milestone travel made up 46% of trips, with families and couples leading the charge in destinations like Bali, Paris, and Maldives. Travel for the show of it, where concerts, festivals, and sports events shape itineraries, is another rising trend. In 2024, event-driven travel rose, with experiential trips combining entertainment and exploration, like seeing Beyoncé in Paris or Coldplay in Bangkok while exploring the cities.
Luxury redefined, or mad money travel, will dominate in 2025, with big spenders opting for Antarctica cruises, AlUla’s wellness retreats, and private overwater villas in the Maldives. In 2024, DINK couples splurged heavily, allocating 60% of their budgets to luxe stays and high-end experiences.
Eco-positive getaways are making sustainability a priority, with carbon-neutral hotels in Scandinavia and conservation-led safaris in South Africa. In 2024, eco-conscious travel saw significant interest, with younger professionals leading this trend. Digital detox in paradise is growing, with retreats in Bora Bora and Seychelles offering no-device escapes.
In 2024, digital detoxes gained traction among senior travellers and busy professionals seeking to disconnect and recharge. Sleep tourism, with dream destinations focused on rest and rejuvenation like retreats in Norway and Chile, is catering to wellness enthusiasts. Restorative experiences like floating saunas and hot springs are the ultimate indulgence for stressed-out travellers.
Finally, travel with purpose, or nature-positive adventures, is becoming a key motivator for travellers seeking meaningful experiences, from wildlife safaris in South Africa to conservation programs in Costa Rica. In 2024, purposeful travel emerged as a key motivator for families and senior travellers.
These travel trends of 2024 are inspired by the couples who dominated international travel, making up 51% of travellers, with DINKs (Dual Income, No Kids) opting for luxe destinations like Santorini, Maldives, and Paris. Bengaluru led India’s international travel, accounting for 38% of bookings, with frequent trips to Italy, France, and Thailand.
The seasonal splits were evident, with summer attracting beach-loving travellers to Maldives and Bali, while winter saw snow-seekers heading to Switzerland and Finland.
Additionally, offbeat picks like Koh Tao and Dubrovnik highlighted that travellers are increasingly ready to venture off the beaten path for unique, less-explored experiences.
“2025 is shaping up to be The Year of Mindful Wanderlust, where travel is no longer just about destinations but about deeper connections, purpose, and personalization. As travellers prioritize eco-conscious escapes, milestone celebrations, and immersive experiences, we’re seeing a clear shift in how journeys are planned and experienced. This evolution is driven by a desire for value, intentionality, and meaningful engagement, whether it’s through rupee-friendly escapes to Sri Lanka and Japan or indulgent adventures in Tuscany and the Maldives. Travel is evolving, and 2025 will be the year it becomes more deliberate, impactful, and aligned with what truly matters to people,” Hari Ganapathy, Co-founder, Pickyourtrail, said.
