Booking.com Names ‘Noctourism’ as India’s Travel Word of the Year for 2025

Booking.com Names ‘Noctourism’ as India’s Travel Word of the Year for 2025

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on December 18, 2025

Booking.com, one of the world’s leading online travel platforms, in collaboration with Meltwater, has named ‘Noctourism’ as India’s Travel Word of the Year for 2025. The term reflects a growing preference among Indian travellers to explore destinations after dark, choosing experiences such as stargazing, night safaris, illuminated cityscapes, and relaxed evening explorations that allow for deeper, more meaningful travel moments.

The rise of Noctourism points to a clear shift in how Indians are travelling, moving away from rushed itineraries and sunrise checklists towards slower, more immersive experiences. Travelling at night also offers the comfort of cooler temperatures and a chance to see destinations through a completely different lens, making travel feel calmer and more personal.

The research also highlights a wider evolution in travel vocabulary that defined how Indians explored the world. Alongside Noctourism, terms such as Calmcation, focused on rest and rejuvenation, Microcations, centred around short and efficient breaks, and Frolleagues, where colleagues travel together as friends, gained strong traction. Together, these trends underline how emotion, intention, and balance shaped travel choices throughout the year.

Booking.com’s Travel Word of the Year research analysed over 10 million data points from more than 3,00,000 verified sources, including media coverage and online conversations. The findings offer a clear view into how Indian travellers are redefining travel with purpose, personal meaning, and flexibility at the core.

Among the most influential travel terms of the year, Noctourism stood out strongly, with a large majority of Indian travellers showing interest in night-time experiences. Calmcations reflected a growing focus on wellness and stress-free travel, while Frolleagues highlighted the blending of work, friendship, and travel. Eco-scapes emerged as another key trend, showcasing the rising importance of sustainable travel choices, while Bucket-list breaks represented once-in-a-lifetime journeys driven by long-held dreams.

Other emerging expressions such as Solo Group Travel, Gastro-trails, Impulse Escapes, and Microcations further reflected the desire for cultural depth, food-led journeys, spontaneous trips, and better work-life balance through travel.

The research also revealed distinct generational preferences. Gen Z travellers leaned towards individuality, sustainability, and spontaneity, while Millennials favoured meaningful experiences, cultural immersion, and shared travel with colleagues and friends.

Commenting on the trend, Santosh Kumar, Regional Manager, South Asia, Booking.com, said,

“Travel in 2025 marks a shift towards deeply intentional and personalised journeys for Indian travellers. With growing interest in after-dark experiences such as night safaris, stargazing escapes, and vibrant night markets, Noctourism emerged as a powerful expression of how people want to explore destinations differently. Every trip today is about self-discovery, connection, and experiences that align with personal values.”

As travel continues to evolve, Booking.com’s insights highlight how Indians are no longer just visiting destinations, but choosing experiences that feel meaningful, balanced, and emotionally rewarding.


Postcard Hotel Launches Exclusive Ayurveda Retreat in Old Goa

Postcard Hotel Launches Exclusive Ayurveda Retreat in Old Goa

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 9, 2026

The Postcard Hotel has announced the launch of its latest wellness-focused property, The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat, Old Goa – A Sitaram Ayurveda Experience, marking a new chapter in experiential luxury hospitality. Set within a UNESCO-recognised heritage region and surrounded by vast reserve forests, the retreat is dedicated entirely to holistic healing and long-term wellbeing.

Developed in collaboration with Sitaram Ayurveda, which carries a healing legacy of over a century, the retreat blends authentic Ayurvedic wisdom with The Postcard Hotel’s signature philosophy of thoughtful luxury. Designed as a quiet sanctuary away from everyday distractions, the property encourages guests to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with their inner balance.

Speaking about the launch, Kapil Chopra, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of The Postcard Hotel, said, “With The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat, we have created a pioneering wellness sanctuary in India that offers a comprehensive experience to address unique lifestyle needs and concerns of each guest. The stays here start from minimum seven nights and are all-inclusive healing journeys focused on providing highly personalised programmes for medical wellness, rather than a recreational leisure escape.”

He further added, “In an industry-first collaboration with Sitaram, our intimate retreat supports long-term health, balance and wellbeing by integrating their century-old healing legacy of Ayurveda with the calm of nature, thoughtful design, nourishing cuisine, and perceptive service offered by The Postcard Hotel.”

Dr. Vignesh Devraj, MD (Ay), Founder and Chief Physician, Sitaram Retreats, highlighted the philosophy behind the collaboration, saying, “The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat represents a meaningful convergence of place, purpose, and healing. At its core, Ayurveda is about restoring balance and tapping into the body’s innate potential to heal. Our retreat harmonises these ancient principles with guided consultations, medical insights and personalised care at every step of the tailored wellness programmes.”

Located in the serene surroundings of Old Goa, the retreat is defined by stillness and privacy. At its heart stands a majestic 300-year-old banyan tree, setting the tone for calm and reflection. With only six thoughtfully designed rooms, each featuring private balconies overlooking lush gardens and forested valleys, the property ensures complete seclusion and unhurried healing.

Each guest’s wellness journey begins with an in-depth consultation with resident Ayurvedic physicians, who curate personalised programmes based on individual doshas and health needs. Every aspect of the stay, from treatments and nutrition to rest and daily routines, is carefully designed to support deep restoration rather than leisure-driven relaxation.

Wellness programmes range from seven to fourteen or twenty-one nights, offering guests the flexibility to choose a pace that supports meaningful healing. The retreat caters not only to those seeking treatment but also to guests focused on preventive care, immunity strengthening, and long-term balance.

With this launch, The Postcard Hotel reinforces its commitment to creating transformative hospitality experiences that go beyond luxury, positioning The Postcard Ayurveda Retreat, Old Goa as a destination for mindful living and authentic healing.


juSTa Hotels & Resorts Launches Boutique Wildlife Retreat in Jawai

juSTa Hotels & Resorts Launches Boutique Wildlife Retreat in Jawai

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 8, 2026

Onora Hospitality, the parent company of boutique hospitality brand juSTa Hotels & Resorts, has announced the launch of juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai, a boutique wildlife retreat located in the heart of Jawai’s renowned leopard country near Udaipur and Jodhpur.

Situated in Village Bijapur, the newly opened resort offers a tranquil and immersive escape that reflects the rugged beauty, distinctive wildlife, and rich cultural heritage of the Jawai region. Spread across two and a half acres, juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai features 18 thoughtfully designed accommodations, including suites with heated plunge pools, each created to balance modern comfort with a deep connection to nature.

All rooms are equipped with premium amenities such as climate-controlled air conditioning, high-speed Wi-Fi, flat-screen smart televisions, mini-bars, tea and coffee makers, electronic safes, quality linen, workspaces, wardrobes, telephones, and round-the-clock power backup. Select accommodations also feature private plunge pools, open-air showers, bathtubs, private gardens, and spacious sit-out areas.

Commenting on the launch, Ashish Vohra, Founder and CEO of Onora Hospitality Private Limited, said, “The growing popularity of Jawai as a wildlife and experiential travel destination presents a meaningful opportunity for us to introduce our signature style of intimate, design-led hospitality. With juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai, we aim to create an immersive retreat that blends comfort with adventure while celebrating the natural and cultural heritage of the region. This launch also strengthens our expanding presence in India’s national parks, where we already operate boutique resorts in Sariska and Jim Corbett under the juSTa brand and in Ranthambore under Bookmark Resorts.”

The resort offers a curated range of lifestyle and wellness experiences, including a swimming pool, a multicuisine restaurant with indoor dining and an intimate al fresco space, a 1,500-square-foot banquet hall, and a spa with two treatment rooms and a steam bath. Guests can also enjoy indoor and outdoor recreational activities such as carrom, foosball, badminton, and cricket.

Easily accessible by road from both Jodhpur and Udaipur, juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai serves as a convenient base for exploring the region’s key attractions. These include the Jawai Dam, Ranakpur Jain Temple, Pola Lake, guided jungle safaris, and exceptional birdwatching opportunities that have established Jawai as one of India’s most distinctive wildlife destinations.

Known for its dramatic granite hills and its rare culture of harmonious coexistence between humans and leopards, Jawai continues to gain recognition among nature lovers and experiential travellers alike. The opening of juSTa Luxe High Point Jawai marks a significant milestone in Onora Hospitality’s journey to create soulful, experience-led stays across India’s most inspiring landscapes.


Brij Hotels Expands Portfolio with New Coastal Property in Sindhudurg

Brij Hotels Expands Portfolio with New Coastal Property in Sindhudurg

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 8, 2026

Brij Hotels has announced the signing of a new coastal resort in Sindhudurg, marking the brand’s thoughtful expansion into one of India’s most untouched and evocative shorelines. Located just north of Goa, the upcoming property reflects Brij’s continued focus on destinations that offer privacy, authenticity, and a deep sense of place.

The resort is strategically positioned a short drive from MOPA International Airport and just 15 minutes from Sindhudurg Airport, ensuring easy access while remaining beautifully secluded. Set along a pristine white-sand beach, Brij Sindhudurg will feature private beachfront villas designed to blend seclusion with the effortless rhythm of slow luxury.

Guests will be able to step directly onto the sand from their villas and experience the coastline through carefully curated, nature-led activities. These include early-morning dolphin sightings, guided snorkelling in clear coastal waters, and quiet water-based journeys that highlight the region’s rich marine life.

Evenings at the resort will unfold with intimate beachside dining experiences, where locally inspired coastal delicacies are prepared simply and enjoyed against the sound of the waves. Cultural encounters will form a key part of the stay, bringing Sindhudurg’s soul to life through interactions with local communities, regional storytelling, and traditions deeply rooted in the Konkan way of life.

Intimate in scale and soulful in design, Brij Sindhudurg promises a rare and romantic escape that remains closely connected to its surroundings and the unspoilt charm of the region.

Commenting on the signing, Udit Kumar, Co-Founder of Brij Hotels, said, “Sindhudurg represents everything Brij stands for today, quiet luxury, privacy, and a sense of discovery. This is a coastline that has remained beautifully untouched, and our intent is to preserve that essence while creating a deeply romantic and immersive retreat. With Brij Sindhudurg, we’re not just adding a destination, but opening a new chapter in how luxury coastal travel is experienced in India.”

The signing reinforces Brij Hotels’ strategy of expanding into raw, aspirational, and largely undiscovered destinations, offering guests rare access to landscapes untouched by mass tourism while delivering understated luxury and meaningful travel experiences.

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