Rise of detour destinations

As global travel evolves, there is a growing liking for unique, less crowded destinations. Whether it is leisure or MICE, the emerging trends are reshaping how we explore the world.

Markus Tan, Regional Director, STB, India, Middle East, South Asia and Africa
Indian travellers have evolved, with changing preferences that now lean towards unique and meaningful experiences. Short-haul travel, especially for spontaneous getaways and long weekends, has surged in popularity. As a result, a seamless visa process has become a crucial factor in destination selection. Singapore stands out with its efficient visa process, offering a swift 3–5 day turnaround.

Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder, EaseMyTrip
Travellers are shifting away from traditional hotspots like Paris and Rome, opting for lesser-known destinations that offer unique, authentic experiences. This trend is driven by curiosity and a desire to explore beyond the mainstream. In India, Ahmedabad, India’s first UNESCO World Heritage City, is gaining popularity for its rich cultural heritage and historic architecture.

Sanjeev Mehra, President, Skål International
Travel trends are evolving, with travellers increasingly moving away from overcrowded hotspots to explore unique, lesser-known destinations. While Europe’s Alps are iconic, the snow-capped peaks of Arunachal Pradesh present a majestic, closer-to-home alternative. Assam’s serene tea gardens rival Tuscany’s charm, while Meghalaya’s living root bridges and waterfalls showcase eco-tourism wonders. Lakshadweep is an alternative to the Maldives.

Sheetal Munshaw, India Director, Atout France
Visas are crucial to the success of any tourist destination. We have seen in the past that positive visa policies have resulted in an uptake in the number of arrivals into a destination. Tourism friendly visa policies also enhance the positioning of the destination and render it more appealing to diverse segments such as incentives, film shootings, weddings and much more. Visas do play a big role in deciding the choice of destination.

GB Srithar, Head – Tourism Services, VFS Global
Travellers will continue to embrace offbeat destinations offering holistic experiences, wellness, and self-discovery. Instead of jam-packing travel itineraries, they will go slow, take in the flow of destinations. Immersion into local and unique is key. India’s youth opt for trips inspired by social media showcase, fuelling trends like “sleepcations” or “calmcations” which allow for multi-destination trips. They may consider combining Singapore’s urban charm with Indonesian island Bintan’s serene beaches.

Robin Lawther, Vice President, Expedia TAAP
Off-the-beaten-path destinations, or detour destinations, are gaining popularity. Expedia Group’s list of detour destinations all experienced an increase in searches over the past year, with 63 per cent of consumers saying they are likely to visit a more obscure destination on their next trip. Whether it’s a detour from Paris to Reims, or a deviation from Milan to Brescia, it is well worth keeping an eye on these rising stars next year.

Yash Vakil, Founder, Arago Travels
Travellers are increasingly seeking out detour destinations that offer unique experiences without the crowds and environmental impact. They are moving away from cities like Paris, Venice, and Barcelona due to overcrowding, high prices, and a decline in quality of life for locals. There has been a sharp rise in passengers travelling around or across the Arctic Circle in pursuit of that perfect picture of the Northern Lights. Destinations like Bhutan, Iceland, and Finland are gaining popularity.

Dheeraj Ranjan Kumar, Director, Balitrip Wisata
We are noticing a distinct shift in traveller preferences. Traditional hotspots like Paris, Venice, and Thailand are seeing competition from lesser-explored yet equally stunning destinations. For instance, travellers are opting for Budapest over Paris for its affordability and charm, Slovenia instead of Venice for its unspoiled beauty, and Bali in place of Thailand for a more serene experience. This trend is driven by the desire for unique experiences.

Nitin Mittal, CEO, Hotel n Apartment
There is a noticeable shift in the venue preferences for MICE industry. Overcrowded and traditional destinations like big cities are being replaced by lesser-known, unique locations. These alternative destinations offer a more intimate, authentic experience, often with lower costs and a focus on sustainability. For example, boutique venues in smaller cities, nature-centric retreats in rural or coastal areas and emerging destinations in countries like Vietnam, Croatia, and Peru.

Aparna Basumalik, Commercial Head – India, Subcontinent and UAE, Europamundo
International vacations are no longer trips that families take every few years. Some are travelling a couple of times each year. With lots of people arriving in the key cities, local lives are getting affected and there is understandable resistance. Europamundo saw this coming long ago. We do visit the main cites and cover the must do, before moving next to the lesser-known towns. When travelling from Paris to London we stay overnight in Rouen.

Christian Schoch, Director India, Switzerland Tourism
Zurich, Interlaken, and Lucerne remain the most popular destinations for Indian travellers. As we see longer stays in Switzerland, other regions are also becoming popular for those seeking unique experiences. In the western part of Switzerland, Geneva and Lausanne are gaining popularity. These regions offer attractions like excellent shopping options in Geneva, the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, Chaplin’s World in Vevey, the Golden Pass Railway, and the stunning Lake Geneva.

Swaytank Maheshwari, Managing Director, Rainbow Vacations
As travellers mature, so do their aspirations for discovery. While classic destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Dubai remain beloved, seasoned explorers often seek experiences that push the boundaries of their journey. It’s not about destinations losing their appeal but about the traveller’s evolution towards unique, offbeat adventures. Analysing recent travel trends from our data, we have observed a growing interest in destinations like Abu Dhabi.

Bhavesh Oza, Director, MyTravelBazaar.com
Tourism is such an enticing activity that people will never forget old destinations but will always look for visiting new ones. Every destination evolves, with some changing every year and others every 5-7 years. For example, Dubai earlier used to offer city tours, desert safaris, and dhow cruises. Over time, it added attractions like the Burj Khalifa and theme parks, followed by the Mus eum of the Future and many more. Tourists always want to explore something new or alternative.

Monish Shah, Founder & CEO, DreamSetGo
India’s outbound tourism is experiencing a remarkable surge post-pandemic, driven by a growing aspirational middle class and the influence of social media. With 25 million Indians traveling abroad between January and October 2024, the momentum is unprecedented. Sports enthusiasts, in particular, are redefining travel trends. While iconic destinations like London remain popular, we see rising interest in offbeat spots like Budapest for F1, and Marseille for rugby.

Hishamuddin Bin Mustafa, Director, Tourism Malaysia – Chennai
Indian travellers are increasingly opting for unique and less-explored destinations. While popular destinations like Thailand, Bali, and Europe remain attractive, there is a noticeable shift toward places that offer immersive and off-the-beaten-path experiences. Malaysia is emerging as a strong contender, with destinations like Langkawi becoming a favourite for its pristine beaches, and luxury resorts.

Jia-En Poon, Senior Manager, Sales, Scoot
Southeast Asia has long been a favoured region for Indians due to its connectivity and this trend continued in 2024. This past summer, Southeast Asian destinations that were the top choice for Indians included Singapore, Bali, and Bangkok. We have also observed travel demand from India to Koh Samui, Krabi, Penang and Malacca. In terms of traveller profiles out of India, we observe mainly leisure travellers, workers, and VFR traffic. India is a country with tremendous growth potential.

Myong Kil Yun, Regional Director – India & SAARC Countries, KTO
Travellers are transitioning from traditional and popular tourist hotspots to unexplored, less crowded, and culturally rich alternatives. They are increasingly seeking destinations that offer unique experiences and allow them to connect more deeply with local culture and traditions. This shift reflects the evolving preferences of Indian tourists, who are now prioritising meaningful and immersive travel experiences.

Compiled by TT Bureau