Tripadvisor on experiential travel trends in South Asia

Five long-term trends show how travellers are seeking deeper meaning, slower journeys, and hyper-local immersion

Tripadvisor’s first annual Trendcast identifies 14 global shifts in experiential travel, with five emerging as especially relevant for South Asia. These aren’t fleeting fads but long-term changes powered by millions of real traveller reviews, searches, and stories—pointing to a tourism future centered on meaning, immersion, and authenticity.

Key takeaways

• Spiritual travel on the rise: Travellers are blending wellness and spirituality, with demand for astrologer-led tours, sound healing, and crystal therapies expanding beyond retreats into mainstream hotels.

• Water as culture, not just leisure: Bathhouses, conservation diving, and ritual festivals are turning water-based experiences into hubs of social and cultural connection.
• Slow journeys over speed: Eco-conscious travellers prefer scenic trains, boats, and cycling routes that emphasize the joy of travel itself rather than rushing to destinations.
• Food as investigation: Agritourism and farm-to-table experiences are evolving into hands-on learning journeys, where guests engage directly with farming and food preparation.
• Zooming in on nano neighbourhoods: Instead of covering whole cities, travellers explore single blocks or streets for intimate, hyper-local immersion in crafts, food, and heritage.
• Industry takeaway: Hotels, operators, and destinations that design authentic, immersive experiences aligned with these shifts will be best positioned for long-term growth.

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