Traditional vacations are out, Hobbiday emerges as the prominent travel trend in 2024

In January each year, the Indian working class eagerly awaits a crucial email: the holidays list for the year. The ‘Holidays 2024’ list arrived in inboxes, boasting 15 long weekends. For those whose jobs encroach upon their personal lives, these weekends spell an opportunity for 8-10 short trips, transforming mundane routines into biannual extended vacations.

However, holidays are no longer mere opportunities to relax on a beach or stroll through hillside Mall Roads. Post-Covid, the purpose of holidays has evolved. The days of being confined to home during lockdowns prompted people to rediscover lost hobbies, from dalgona coffee and baking banana bread to pursuing interests like singing, dancing, painting, and cooking—often shared on social media platforms.

Now, in 2024, the landscape has shifted. The era of Work From Home (WFH) or the Hills has waned, and hobbies have taken a backseat. In this scenario, holidays become a sanctuary. Enter Hobbiday, the major travel trend of 2024. A fusion of “hobby” and “holiday,” Hobbiday represents vacations that transcend mere leisure.

The pandemic-induced YOLO (You Only Live Once) spirit has permeated the travel industry. In 2024, travel is no longer about merely visiting a place. If your trip revolves around one city for two weeks, traditional sightseeing can become monotonous. Travelers seek more than passive observation; they yearn for active engagement. Thus, the surge in demand for holidays centered around personal hobbies.

Sajin Nawshad, Director of Akbar Travels Pvt Ltd, notes the changing preferences among modern travelers. The conventional two-week sightseeing routine has given way to a desire for more enriching experiences. Travelers are willing to pay a premium for customized itineraries that cater to specific interests and preferences. This shift underscores a craving for meaningful and personally fulfilling escapes, a trend that gained momentum amid the Covid era.

Daniel D’Souza, President and Country Head of Holidays at SOTC Travel, affirms the rising demand for luxury travel, with a 25% increase compared to pre-pandemic times. Travel has transcended its conventional bounds and is now about incorporating experiences. Resorts, both luxury and high-end, are adapting to this trend by offering holistic experiences beyond mere accommodation.

Various hotels and resorts across India are embracing the Hobbiday trend:

1. Cooking: Pratap Mahal in Ajmer, Rajasthan, offers an immersive cooking-based activity called “Memories on A Plate.” Guests don a chef’s toque, prepare heirloom recipes, teach the chefs, and document the recipes in the hotel’s recipe book.
2. Stargazing: Resorts like Devi-Ratn Jaipur, The Kumaon in Kasar Devi, and Pench Jungle Camp offer stargazing sessions. Guests can explore the wonders of the night sky with telescopes and expert guidance.
3. Mixology: Taj Palace New Delhi provides mixology lessons with liquid chef Joel Scholtens Lindsay, allowing guests to learn the art of crafting various concoctions.
4. Photography: The Oberoi Vanyavilas in Ranthambore offers photography tips and tricks through their in-house naturalist, enhancing guests’ photography skills amid wildlife.
5. Pottery: Oberoi Udaivilas in Udaipur and Fort Alila Bishangarh organize pottery classes, allowing guests to express their creativity and take home their crafted pieces.

The connection between hobbies and well-being is well-documented, with numerous studies highlighting the mental health benefits of nurturing hobbies. Hobbies offer a necessary respite for the brain, allowing it to rest and recover from the stresses of daily life.

Psychotherapist Sucheta Baidya emphasizes the importance of hobbies in self-care, creating a space for relaxation and distance from stress. Hobbies contribute to mental well-being by providing an outlet for creativity and diversion from the constant demands of work and personal life.

In planning holidays, the Hobbiday trend emerges as a compelling option, seamlessly blending the pursuit of leisure with the nurturing of personal interests. As the travel landscape evolves, the fusion of holidays and hobbies offers a unique and fulfilling approach to vacationing in 2024.