Travelling levels up with ravelling levels up with gaming-inspired getaways

Time of India

23-05-2025

It's game on for travellers as video games emerge as major sources of wanderlust. According to a Skyscanner report, 88 per cent of Indian travellers say locations in their favourite video games motivate them to book international trips.
But beyond virtual inspiration, gaming conventions are also emerging as significant travel drivers. This intersection of gaming and travel has resulted in the emergence of 'gami-vacations'. The rise of gami-vacations, or gaming-inspired getaways, also aligns with a growing desire for exploration among Indian travellers. Mohit Joshi, travel and destination expert at Skyscanner India, notes, 'With 66 per cent of Indians planning to travel more in 2025, global exploration is a top priority as they seek out destinations that offer enriching experiences.
Indian travellers are not just exploring new destinations; they're seeking meaningful and collective travel experiences.'
What is a gami-vacation?
'Gami-vacation' is a term coined to describe travel experiences that combine the excitement of traditional travel with interactive elements and concepts drawn from video games.
When virtual worlds spark real wanderlust
For a growing number of Indian travellers, the immersive worlds of video games are sparking a desire to explore real-life destinations.
'Being an introvert, Death Stranding became an escape for me. Hideo Kojima's beautiful depiction of Icelandic landscapes resonated deeply, and I longed to visit. Last year, I booked a trip to Iceland,' says Vishnu Nair, a gamer from Mumbai. Aditya, a lawyer based in Delhi, shares, 'When I got the opportunity to go to Europe, I made sure to include the whole city of Rome and Amsterdam in my itinerary because of Assassin's Creed.
Ubisoft is known for making the historical locations as accurate as possible to real life, so I knew that the places I'd visit in Rome will be accurate. I visited the Colosseum, Pantheon and Castel Sant'angelo, which are all featured in the game — and it felt very familiar.'
With India's gaming industry expected to reach `32,472 crores by year-end, gaminginspired vacations are gaining serious traction, giving rise to trips that include VR previews, game-inspired locations, AR city walks, themed stays, eSports tournaments, and meetups with popular streamers
Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder, EaseMyTrip
'Gaming events emerge as key travel motivators'
Sundarraman Ramalingam, India Manager, Niantic Inc., notes that location-based gaming and eSports events are not only driving travel but are also major contributors to it.
'Last year in Bengaluru, Pokémon Go launched an event attracting attendees from as far as Germany and Japan for the chance to catch Pikachu. Typically, over 80 per cent of participants at such gaming events are from outside the host state, with a significant number of international participants.
People enjoy these games and value the opportunity to explore new places through them. While this travel trend has been strong among those from Europe, Japan, and the US, with more eSports events happening globally, we're seeing increased travel from places like Delhi, Kolkata, Bengaluru and Mumbai, and hopefully, this will only grow.'
'Younger generations lead the convergence of gaming and travel'
Gen Z and millennials are leading the charge in both the gaming and travel spheres, according to Rikant Pittie, CEO and co-founder, EaseMyTrip. He shares, 'Gami-vacations are redefining the future of travel, driven by Gen Z and millennials who are blending their love for gaming with real-world exploration. Indian travellers are expressing interest in visiting destinations they've discovered through the immersive worlds of their favourite games, seeking experiences that mirror the storytelling, interactivity, and emotional depth of virtual adventures.
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Gaming-themed tourism initiatives on the rise
The growing popularity of themed experiences and dedicated tours catering to fans of series like Grand Theft Auto in cities such as New York, Miami, and Los Angeles, and Assassin's Creed in Rome and Egypt, suggests the tangible impact of these games on tourism. Likewise, following the release of the samurai action-adventure stealth game Ghost of Tsushima, the town of Tsushima in Japan reportedly experienced a surge in tourism as players travelled to visit the game's recreated landscapes, subsequently leading to an official partnership between tourism authorities and the game developer.
67% of Indian gamers admit to packing their gaming gear to get their fix on the go, even on vacation - Skyscanner
'Future of travel will see imagination take precedence'
'With India's gaming industry expected to reach $3.8 billion (`32,472 crores, approximately) by year-end, this trend is gaining traction, giving rise to trips that include VR previews, game-inspired locations, AR city walks, themed stays, eSports tournaments, and meetups with streamers. What once seemed niche is now being embraced, with support from governments and tourism boards recognising its cultural and economic potential.
Gamivacations blend curiosity, culture, and digital innovation — proving that the next era of travel will be shaped as much by imagination as by geography,' Rikant says.
88% of Indian travellers are inspired to book a trip abroad based on locations from their favourite video game - Skyscanner