So long, vacation! Time for summer of staycations: Indians dive into shorter, curated experiences closer to home
Amidst geopolitical uncertainties and rising temperatures, Indian travelers are increasingly favoring staycations. Families are opting for short, local, and experiential getaways, driven by convenience, disposable incomes, and a desire for instant gratification. This summer, curated experiences like heritage walks and culinary retreats are defining the trend, blending leisure and productivity for a seamless escape.
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New Delhi|Bengaluru: On May 13, when an IT professional in Noida learnt that his daughter had scored 96% in her Class 10 board exams, he set about planning a celebratory family getaway. With temperatures rising, a trip to the mountains seemed fitting—until he was reminded of the recent border tensions. Even though the situation was beginning to normalise, the uncertainty made him rethink.Befitting his daughter's achievement, he zeroed in on Landour in Uttarakhand—often called the tiara of the Queen of Hills—a safe, scenic retreat that allowed the family to escape without venturing too far, lest the situation deteriorate.This Sunday, they return home after what many are now calling the trend defining summer vacations: a staycation And he's not alone.As summer sets in, a growing number of Indian travellers are opting for short, hyper-local, and experiential getaways.'The appeal lies in convenience, rising disposable incomes, geopolitical caution, and the desire for instant gratification, with cost savings on flights and logistics making frequent local escapes more achievable,' said Rajeev Kale, president, Thomas Cook (India).According to Kale, 'This summer marks a clear evolution in leisure travel—from traditional vacations to deeply experiential staycations . Curated experiences like heritage walks, rooftop glamping, culinary staycations, spa retreats, and work-from-hotel escapes are driving this shift, offering a seamless blend of leisure and productivity.'Micro-destinations such as Alibaug, Coorg, and Mashobra remain top picks for clients of Thomas Cook (India), alongside emerging favourites like Karjat and Panchgani. Staycation bookings surged early in March 2025, typically ranging from ₹6,000-15,000 per night.At SOTC Travel, the trend is similar. SD Nandakumar, president, SOTC Travel, noted, 'This summer, we're seeing Indians prioritise hyper-local experiences that offer rejuvenation and discovery, giving an uptick to the trend of Staycations.''Our data highlights strong traction across micro-destinations—Lonavala, Igatpuri, Kabini, and Lansdowne—with rising interest in boutique homestays, private villas, and experience-led itineraries like vineyard brunches or riverside yoga,' he said. In addition to families, solo travellers and corporate teams are jumping on the bandwagon, said experts.Rikant Pittie, chief executive of EaseMyTrip, said, 'About half of urban holidaymakers are now opting for quick breaks instead of extended vacations.'He observed, 'Interestingly, 'sleep tourism' is also catching on — nearly one in five travellers now cite rest as their main holiday goal, leading hospitality brands to offer amenities like herbal teas and wellness therapies.'Pittie pointed out that even a resort-heavy location like Manesar near Delhi NCR is drawing interest. 'A noticeable uptick of 20% in staycation bookings for summer 2025 began around March 2025, with peak demand expected in May-June.'Travel choices are being shaped more than ever by viral content and social media chatter.Manjari Singhal, chief growth and business officer, Cleartrip, said, 'What's interesting is how much social media and trending content are influencing these choices. They're shaped by what's viral, what's been shared, or what feels culturally relevant. People are actively seeking, sharing them, and turning them into plans.'
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