A shift in how we travel
Indian holiday-makers are increasingly turning away from the traditional whirlwind “city-hop” approach — more destinations in less time — and embracing a “stay longer, explore deeper” mindset. This trend, often called slow travel, emphasises immersive experiences, single‐destination stays and meaningful cultural engagement. According to a 2025 survey by Thomas Cook (India) / SOTC Travel, more than 54 % of Indian respondents plan to extend holiday durations by 5-10 extra days, aiming for trips of “8-15 days” rather than the usual short breaks.
What’s driving the trend?
Several factors are converging to make slow trips appealing to Indian travellers:
- Remote/hybrid work flexibility: With the rise of work-from anywhere models, travellers have more freedom to stay away from home longer and combine leisure with work.
- Burn-out from rushed travel: Many travellers say that returning from a pack-it-all holiday actually felt like they needed another vacation. A slower pace allows for real rest and connection.
- Sustainability and local immersion: Travellers are showing more interest in reducing distractions, fewer flights, and spending more time in one place to connect with local life.
- Experiential over checklist: Indian travellers increasingly prioritise depth of experience over ticking off as many destinations as possible. The Thomas Cook survey suggests “quality, discovery and emotion” are replacing quantity of stops.
How slow travel is showing up in India
The shift isn’t just theoretical — the behaviour is changing:
- The Ministry of Tourism India noted that in 2024 the average duration of Indian travellers abroad increased from 47 days in 2023 to 50 days.
- Indian travellers are favouring destinations such as Spiti Valley (Himachal Pradesh), Majuli Island (Assam) and Fort Kochi (Kerala) — places that lend themselves to staying put, connecting with local culture and slower rhythms of life.
- Destination rankings show places like Chennai being identified as “slow travel-friendly” in Asia for their ability to host extended stays.
What this means for the travel industry
The industry is adapting to the shift in several ways:
- Hotels and homestays are offering long-stay discounts, flexible check-in/checkout terms and dedicated workspaces for travellers looking to combine work & leisure.
- Tour operators are designing fewer destinations per trip, more local experiences (cooking classes, language workshops, village stays) rather than “see everything” itineraries.
- Destinations and state-tourism boards are promoting offbeat-deep-stay products — e.g., multi-week stays in lesser-known regions with immersive cultural programmes.
Challenges & considerations
While the trend presents opportunities, there are some considerations:
- Not every destination has infrastructure to support long-stay travellers (reliable WiFi, comfortable lodging, transport links) — especially in remote Indian locales.
- Employer/employee work-from-anywhere arrangements still vary widely — some travellers may struggle to actually extend stay unless remote work policy supports it.
- While slower travel can reduce the frequency of trips and thus the carbon footprint per traveller, longer stays in very remote areas may still carry sustainability burdens (e.g., over-dependence on local ecosystems).
- Price perception: While staying longer may reduce cost per day, travellers need to budget differently (accommodation, living costs) rather than relying on “short stay” deals.
What travellers should keep in mind
If you’re an Indian traveller considering a slow trip, here are some tips:
- Pick the right base: Choose a destination where you can comfortably settle for 7-14 days or more, with good local amenities, transport and maybe coworking options if you’ll work.
- Shift mindset: Don’t rush — skip trying to “see everything”. Instead focus on connecting with locals, exploring neighbourhoods, learning something new (language, craft, cooking).
- Budget for stay-life: Book accommodation for longer period in advance (often cheaper per-night) and consider serviced apartments/homestays over hotel per-night pricing.
- Pack light and slow: Fewer transitions means less time wasted on packing/unpacking. Use slower transport (train or regional bus) rather than rapid hops.
- Support local economy: Eat locally, use neighbourhood guides, engage in small-business experiences rather than chain hotels solely.
Looking ahead
With remote work and travel + leisure convergence likely to strengthen further, the “slow trips” movement looks set to grow in India. Travel experts forecast extended vacations and deeper stays as one of the defining holiday formats for 2026. For travel-businesses and destinations, catering to slower, immersive stays rather than sheer volume of visitors may define the next phase of tourism strategy. In short: more time, fewer places, deeper experiences. The journey of travel is changing — and Indian travellers are leading the way.
