2024 was a wild ride for travelers who threw the rule book out the airplane window. This year, travel trends were less about five-star stays and more about embracing the strange, the adventurous and the unexpected. From doing nothing on flights to traveling to awesome destinations, here are the most unique ways people traveled this year!

rodogging

We all have our own ways of dealing with boredom on a long-haul flight. Most of them involve staring at a screen until you fall asleep. But a new travel trend is seeing men doing what is almost ‘impossible’ in the phone age – doing nothing on a flight. The only exception to the “roaddogging”, no-screen, no-headphones approach coined by its participants is viewing an in-flight map during a long-haul flight. Some people took this to extremes and refused even water, snacks or blankets. This is minimalist flying in its most radical form – just you and the bare essentials.

dark tourism

Dark tourism, a term coined for travel to sites associated with death, tragedy or horror, has become an increasingly controversial topic, and has found its way into India following the landslide in Wayanad. From battlefields and concentration camps to disaster zones and crime scenes, these places attract visitors who want to confront their mortality, learn from history, or simply experience the paranormal. This trend has given rise to a new breed of travel shows like Chernobyl and The Dark Tourist, which explore these dark sites, and provide viewers a glimpse into the world of dark tourism.

sleep divorce

Turns out, lovebirds may sleep better apart! The bizarre new travel trend of “sleep divorce” has forced couples to rethink their vacations. According to Hilton’s 2025 Trends study, 63% of travelers admitted they nap best alone, while 37% secretly dream of a separate bed from their partners while away. And parents? Three out of four people will happily leave the kids behind for a peaceful night’s sleep.

sleep tourism

Forget sightseeing—2024 passengers just wanted to catch some Zs. Hotels offered sleep-enhancing packages with noise-canceling rooms, lavender-scented pillows, and even a “sleep concierge.” Properties like Six Senses, Ananda in the Himalayas and Swasvara in Gokarna offer sleep programs with personalized assessments, Ayurvedic treatments, yoga and relaxation techniques to improve your sleep quality and overall routine.

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