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In 2025, the heart of Indian tourism seems to beat not in the buzz of the great hill stations, but in the calm of the second level destinations such as Jibhi, Tawang, Chakrata and Coorg.
From stays in the community in Fort Kochi and Wayanad to digital shelters that are not friendly in Kasol and Chakrata, second level destinations are entering the center of attention.
As mercury and urban fatigue peaks increase, the Great Summer Escape India is experiencing a quiet but significant transformation. Forget the crowds in Shimla or the Ooty traffic grunts: Today's travelers move away from the tired and tired. In 2025, the heart of Indian tourism seems to beat not in the buzz of the great hill stations, but in the calm of the second level destinations such as Jibhi, Tawang, Chakrata and Coorg.
A change in summer sensitivity
The employer is clear: travelers actively seek less commercialized and more authentic escapes. According to Rikant Pittie, Ceo and Co-Founder, Easemytrip, “We're Definitely Seeing a Shift This Summer. As the usual hill stations get More Crowded, Travellers Are Looking for Quiet, Less Commercialized Places To Unwind. Second-Tier Hill Stations Like Shangarh In In Himachal Pradesh, Coorg in Karnataka, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghamalai in Tamil Nadu Are Drawing Attention.
This change is not just anecdotal: Easemytrip data reveal that almost 60% of travelers this year opt for less known destinations about traditional favorites. The trend is driven by a desire for slower and more conscious experiences. “It's not just about escape from heat,” says Pittie. “People want slower and more significant experiences, and second level destinations offer exactly that.”
From crowds to calm: the emergence of out of the ordinary
Echoing a similar feeling is Pranav Dangi, CEO and founder of Hosteller, who has noticed a tangible change in the behavior of the traveler in his properties. “One of the most prominent changes we have seen is the way people have begun to travel compared to previous patterns,” he says. “The guests are now open not only to places in the south, but also in unconventional and less known places in the north for a summer vacation.”
The change is also visible in reserve trends. While South access points such as Goa are still popular, there is an increase in occupation in northern India, especially in conventional places such as Jibhi, Khajjiar and Chakrata. Dangi adds: “Travelers are looking for places beyond Goa in the south and Shimla in the north to avoid extensive crowds in accommodations, tourist places and transport centers.”
Interestingly, this change is not limited to the backpackers of generation Z. Millennials, often balancing the work and passion for travel, also go mass to the quieter corners of the country. Reserves have increased from Monday to Friday, indicating a new type of conscious and conscious trip of the crowd. “This in itself is an address towards conscious trips,” Dangi observes, “instead of hurrying the same famous places and the same weekends when everyone would also.”
Conscious elections and authenticity
Beyond escaping the crowds, there is a philosophical turn in the way people travel. Rikant Pittie points out the emergence of conscious trips, where authenticity is more important than popularity. Today's travelers are rejecting cookie cutter itineraries in favor of immersive experiences, whether you drink filter coffee in a Casa de Coorg house or walking through the misty Shangarh trails.
“There is a growing change towards the conscious trip,” says Pittie. “Travelers now choose calm over chaos, and these hidden gems are found that they need perfectly.”
What follows?
Both hospitality brands and reserve platforms are evolving to meet this demand. From stays in the community in Fort Kochi and Wayanad to digital shelters that are not friendly in Kasol and Chakrata, second level destinations are entering the center of attention.
And although there may not be a unique pattern in this change, as Dangi says, “travelers are now open to newer and out of the common locations.” Whether for affordability, authenticity, or simply for tranquility, this new wave of Indian travel is as refreshing as the mountain breeze in these hidden shelters.
- First published:
