From Cultural Immersion to Conscious Escapes

Indians are embracing mindful, flexible, and experience-driven travel this summer - both within India and abroad, suggest data culled from tourism boards, travel operators and hospitality giants

- Tarannum Manjul

THE SUMMER OF 2025 is witness to a new phase of tourism in India, one marked by curiosity, consciousness and a thirst for immersive experiences. From hill stations and heritage cities to international hotspots and wellness retreats, Indians are packing their bags with a renewed sense of purpose - and we have data to prove it.

According to the Ministry of Tourism's India Tourism Data 2024, the sector is thriving. Tourism contributed five per cent to India's GDP in 2023, with Foreign Exchange Earnings (FEE) touching a remarkable $28.077 billion - a 31.5 per cent rise from the previous year. Foreign tourist arrivals also saw a sharp 124.11 per cent spike, reaching 19.25 million, while domestic tourism skyrocketed with 2.5 billion visits, a 44.98 per cent jump from 2022. Clearly, whether crossing state lines or flying overseas, Indians are more eager than ever to explore.

But where are they going - and why?

From Spiritual Sojourns to Quietcations

Cleartrip's latest insights from their flagship Nation on Vacation campaign show a growing preference for the cool climes of Manali, Darjeeling, Lonavala, and Ooty. Alongside this perennial love for hill stations, spiritual tourism is seeing a revival, with Haridwar, Varanasi, and Amritsar experiencing a notable increase in bookings.

“It’s not just about escape anymore; it’s about connection – be it spiritual, cultural, or personal,” says Hari Ganapathy, Co-Founder of Pickyourtrail. “Indian travellers want more control and flexibility in how they travel. Customisation and curated local experiences are top priorities.”