NEW WAVE OF CHRISTMAS TRAVEL
Sandeep Singh
Christmas travel in India is moving away from crowded hotspots and packed itineraries toward more intentional, emotionally driven experiences. The 2025 festive season marks a clear shift toward slower, mindful travel, with travellers increasingly choosing mountain retreats, heritage towns, and spiritual destinations for meaningful connections and quiet celebration.
We have 14 properties across North India, that reflect how seasonal travel preferences are evolving. There are have mountain retreats, heritage cities such as Udaipur and Amritsar, and spiritual hubs like Vrindavan, each catering to distinct festive and winter travel motivations.
While hill properties continue to draw travellers seeking cool climates, misty landscapes, and peaceful winter escapes, destinations like Udaipur and Amritsar see heightened demand during winter for their pleasant weather, cultural depth, and festive ambience.
Spiritual destinations such as Vrindavan attract visitors year-round, with winter emerging as a preferred season for introspective travel, immersive local experiences, and quieter holiday celebrations.
EMOTIONS GUIDE TRAVEL
Christmas travel today is guided more by emotion than itinerary. Travellers are consciously choosing destinations that allow them to slow down and reconnect — with family, nature, and themselves. I believe hospitality should support this intent by creating experiences that are grounded, personal, and deeply reflective of the destination.”
Similarly, heritage towns such as Amritsar and Udaipur are gaining festive relevance beyond sightseeing. Guests are increasingly drawn to experiencing Christmas through local cuisine, traditions, and storytelling, resulting in celebrations that feel layered, immersive, and rooted in place rather than standardised.
Meanwhile, destinations such as Udaipur and Rishikesh are seeing a distinct Christmas travel pattern shaped by vibrant cafe culture and riverside experiences. Popular cafes, live music venues, and thoughtfully curated festive menus are drawing younger travellers and urban families seeking relaxed, community-driven celebrations. These destinations blend social warmth with scenic calm, making them increasingly popular for Christmas stays that feel festive yet unhurried.
Sandeep Singh is Founder, Rubystone Hospitality
