‘Noctourism’ crowned India’s travel word of the year 2025 as after-dark travel takes over

After-dark travel is redefining how India explores the world, with noctourism emerging as the travel word of the year for 2025.

Ready to trade sunrise check-ins for moonlit moments? According to a new study by Booking.com, conducted in collaboration with Meltwater, Noctourism has been named India’s Travel Word of the Year for 2025—signalling a growing fascination with exploring destinations after dark, when cities glow differently, crowds thin out, and travel feels slower, more immersive and deeply experiential.

What is Noctourism And Why Is It Trending?

As per the release, Noctourism refers to travel experiences centred around the night—think stargazing escapes, night safaris, bioluminescent beaches, illuminated cityscapes and cooler, crowd-free exploration. The trend reflects a clear shift in how Indians are choosing to travel in 2025: slower, more immersive journeys driven by emotion, intention and personal meaning rather than packed itineraries.

The report notes that Noctourism captured the imagination of travellers seeking unique, low-light experiences that reveal a destination’s character in entirely new ways.

Travel in 2025: More Meaning, Less Rush

Beyond Noctourism, the research highlights a broader evolution in travel motivations. As per the report, Indian travellers are increasingly prioritising well-being, flexibility and deeper connections, giving rise to new travel expressions that defined the year.

The study analysed over 10 million data points from more than 3,00,000 verified sources, including media coverage and online conversations, to map emerging travel behaviours shaping India’s travel landscape in 2025.

The Top Travel Words That Defined 2025

As per the release, these five travel terms stood out for reflecting how Indians explored the world this year:

1. Noctourism: Night-time travel focused on stargazing and low-light stays, with 78% of Indian travellers expressing interest in such experiences.

2. Calmcation: Restorative breaks centred on relaxation, longevity and mental well-being, driven by lifestyle-conscious choices.

3. Frolleagues: Trips with colleagues who are also friends, blending work, bonding and travel.

4. Eco-scapes: Environment-conscious travel aimed at reducing personal impact, with sustainable travel emerging as a key priority.

5. Bucket-list breaks: Once-in-a-lifetime journeys to fulfil long-held travel dreams.

Other Travel Terms Gaining Momentum

The report also points to several emerging expressions shaping travel choices, including solo group travel, gastro-trails, impulse escapes and microcations. Together, these trends reflect a desire for authentic cultural experiences, meaningful social connections and a better work-life balance through travel.

Gen Z vs Millennials: Different Words, Different Priorities

Travel vocabulary in 2025 also revealed generational differences. As per the findings, Gen Z travellers leaned towards individuality, spontaneity and sustainability, gravitating to terms like eco-scapes and impulse escapes. Millennials, on the other hand, focused on meaningful experiences and social connections, with frolleagues, microcations and culturally immersive travel shaping their journeys.

A Shift Towards Intentional Travel

Commenting on the trend, Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia, said that travel in 2025 marked a decisive shift for Indian travellers—moving away from traditional holidays towards personalised, value-driven experiences. From after-dark safaris and stargazing escapes to vibrant night markets, Noctourism emerged as a reflection of this deeper desire for self-discovery and connection.

As the report suggests, India’s travel story in 2025 wasn’t just about where people went—but how, why and when they chose to explore, with the night finally stepping into the spotlight.