The travel bug is rapidly spreading in India. Holidaying is no longer just for the rich. Indians are increasingly exploring new options to utilize their holidays and not just a mandatory getaway to a nearby location for a family picnic or the mundane travel to a pilgrimage destination.

Indians are increasingly becoming addicted to exploring virgin locations, take an adventure in their stride and experiencing the varied lifestyle, culture, and food. There has been a boom in the travel market, and travel has become a lifestyle statement. Thanks to social media, charting out travel plans even in an exotic location is no more a herculean task. The coming year will only see it evolve and mature further. Indians are becoming evolved travellers. They are no longer just tourists.

From backpacking to luxury travel, the requirements are varied and interesting. Here are a few travel trends that took the travellers by storm and are here to rule the year ahead.

Solo travelling for an allrounder experience

Adventure trips have become the new trend for youngsters with more people choosing the self-drive option. Better roads and highway connectivity, the young population is opting for road trips. The survey found women are exploring travel options where they could travel without family and friends in a pursuit to discover the inner-self aside travel.

Asian and African locales over European destinations

Brexit has not just affected the economy of countries, but the mind of travellers who are choosing Seychelles, Maldives, and Bali, Mauritius over England, Paris, Venice or Switzerland. These countries have houses exotic hotels and their pristine and quiet beaches are what honeymooners are choosing instead of crowded and polluted European cities.

Adventure sports for travel time adrenalin rush

Indians are not only looking for discovering unique place but also aim to create unforgettable memories. According to hotel booking portal, about 58 percent of travellers plan to allocate their travel budget to experiences. People in India now prefer activities like scuba diving, skydiving, and hot air balloon ride during a vacation rather than relaxing at the hotel.

Murad Osmann styled #fellowmeto travel photography

What started by a photographer named Murad Osmann when he started sharing photos of his wife leading him through their travels as part of a #followmeto series Instagram has become the latest travel photography trend of young couples and even celebs like Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon falling to the trend. Offcourse the trick requires a lot of editing, but with so many editing apps available at the Google play store, it is no more an uphill task.

Homestays and hostels over luxury hotels

Homestays are a rapidly growing segment of the country. This year has seen a larger number of people exploring homestay options, especially in places like Shimla, Manali, Goa, Kerala, Coorg and Pondicherry. Hostels are pocket-friendly options for students or lone travellers and are no longer dingy hideouts. Travel startups are reinventing hostels for backpackers to have an enthralling experience.