- Noctourism, focused on night travel, was named India's Travel Word of the Year 2025
- 78% of Indian travellers showed interest in dark-sky and low-light travel experiences
- Other key travel trends included calmcation, frolleagues, eco-scape, and bucket-list breaks
From night safaris and stargazing to illuminated cityscapes and cooler evening wanderings, many Indian travellers spent 2025 exploring the world after dark. In a new study, Booking.com, in collaboration with Meltwater, named "Noctourism" as India's Travel Word of the Year, signalling a shift towards slower, more intentional journeys of exploring new destinations in moonlight. The report indicates that three in four Indian travellers expressed interest in dark-sky or low-light experiences in 2025.
What Is 'Noctourism' And Why Does It Resonate With Indian Tourists
Noctourism is defined as travel centred on night-time experiences -think night safaris, bioluminescent beaches, moonlit hikes and late-opening museums. Noctourism reflects travellers' desire to avoid heat and crowds while seeking deeper experiences after dusk.
"As Indian travellers look beyond the familiar, after-dark safaris, stargazing escapes and culturally rich night markets reveal destinations in entirely new ways," said Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia at Booking.com.
Photo Credit: Pexels
5 Buzzwords Capturing How Indians Travelled In 2025
The analysis highlights 5 expressions that defined the year's mood, pointing to a more deliberate, experience-led approach:
- Noctourism: Night-time travel focused on stargazing and low-light stays; 78% interest among Indian travellers.
- Calmcation: Mindful, restorative breaks prioritising rest and rejuvenation; 83% of Indian travellers expressed interest in long, relaxed retreats.
- Frolleagues: Work-life blended trips celebrating coworkers who double up as friends - balancing productivity with shared discovery.
- Eco-scape: Conscious travel aimed at reducing individual environmental impact; a majority of Indians said they intended to travel more sustainably in 2025.
- Bucket-list breaks: Once-in-a-lifetime trips to finally experience the destinations or moments you've always dreamed of.
Also Read: From Rs 0 Flights To Rs 4.4 Lakh Hotel Stays: What Travel Looked Like In 2025
The research also tracked several other terms capturing how Indians broadened their travel playbook:
- Microcations (short, memorable holidays)
- Impulse escapes (last-minute trips)
- Solo Group Travel (going solo but seeking social experiences en route)
- Gastro-trails (culinary-focused itineraries)
Together, they point to a preference for cultural depth, conscious choices, flexible formats and meaningful social connection.
Photo Credit: Pexels
Gen Z vs Millennials: Different Motivations, Same Momentum
Generational patterns emerged in the vocabulary:
- Gen Z leaned into individuality, spontaneity and sustainability - gravitating towards terms such as Eco-scapes and Impulse escapes.
- Millennials focused on purposeful connection and cultural immersion, with Frolleagues, Microcations and Cultural Trails topping their lexicon.
Also Read: From Maha Kumbh To Ladakh: Where Indians Travelled Most In 2025
How The Top Travel Words Were Chosen
The "Travel Word of the Year 2025" study examined more than 10 million data points from over 3,00,000 verified Indian sources between January and October 2025 - spanning news media, social platforms and online conversations. Using Meltwater's media intelligence and AI-led social listening, the analysis combined keyword tracking, sentiment and engagement metrics to identify emerging expressions and behavioural shifts.
