What better day to talk about travel than World Tourism Day? From the journeys we plan months in advance to the ones that begin with a film, a story or simply the urge to get away, travel has a way of changing how we see the world, and ourselves. This week, we’re looking at that idea from several angles: the Indian escapes worth taking before Diwali crowds arrive, the Bollywood films and locations that have made us want to pack our bags, and the remarkable evolution of tourism from a Victorian train excursion to an industry now being transformed by AI.
There’s also a fascinating story in the numbers. Where are Indians actually travelling, what are they spending on, and how does India compare with the world’s leading tourism economies? Elsewhere, new forms of travel and leisure are emerging — from experience-led short breaks to bhajan clubbing — while France’s wine industry is confronting a crisis that could reshape the global market.
And because the way we spend our time matters just as much as where we spend it, we’re also looking at two very different modern-day disconnects: young Indians feeling lonely despite busy social lives, and all of us struggling to hold on to our attention in a world designed to constantly interrupt it.
Settle in, grab your beverage of choice, settle in, and let’s get into it!
Oh, and Happy World Tourism Day to all those who celebrate!
From a Victorian train ride to AI-powered travel: How tourism keeps reinventing itself
From a one-shilling train excursion organised by Thomas Cook in 1841 to an industry now being reshaped by artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and new ways of travelling, tourism has come a long way. We look at the unlikely origins of the modern package holiday, this year’s focus on AI and digital innovation, and how India is expanding beyond traditional monuments and pilgrimage routes into cruise tourism, lighthouses, business travel and lesser-known destinations.
2027’s travel bucket list is here: 50 places and experiences to inspire your next holiday
Planning your 2027 getaways? Lonely Planet has unveiled its latest Best in Travel list, spotlighting 50 destinations and experiences across six continents. From lesser-known alternatives to crowded hotspots and slow-travel adventures to immersive cultural experiences, the list has plenty of inspiration — including two Indian entries that made the cut.
Before Diwali crowds hit, these Indian escapes are worth the detour
October offers a brief window to travel before holiday crowds and tariffs pick up, with clear skies, pleasant weather and long weekends on the calendar. From quiet Himalayan valleys and mountain towns to medieval ruins and offbeat cultural landscapes, these six destinations make a strong case for taking the scenic route before Diwali season gets busy.
Bollywood films that will make you want to pack your bags
From road trips through Spain and Goa to solo adventures across Europe and journeys through the hills and desert, Bollywood has turned travel into some of its most memorable stories. This World Tourism Day, here are seven films that capture the thrill of hitting the road, finding yourself somewhere new and letting the journey take over.
Iconic Bollywood locations worth seeing in real life
From the fort made famous by Dil Chahta Hai and the lake immortalised in 3 Idiots to misty mountain railways, royal palaces and dramatic waterfalls, Bollywood has turned some of India’s most striking landscapes into unforgettable cinematic backdrops. Here are the locations where you can step straight into the scenery you’ve seen on screen.
From bhajans to the dance floor: How devotion is finding a new beat
Traditional devotional music is getting a contemporary makeover as ‘bhajan clubbing’ brings live performances, modern beats, singing, clapping and dancing into a concert-style setting. The format has been drawing younger audiences and recently grabbed attention after Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a bhajan clubbing event in Delhi.
Where Indians spend on travel: Pilgrimages, medical trips, weekend getaways and more
India’s domestic travel economy is driven by very different kinds of journeys — from pilgrimages and medical trips to holidays, business travel and shopping runs. New NSO data shows where households are travelling, what they are spending on and how rural and urban travel patterns differ. At the same time, hospitality players point to a growing appetite for shorter, experience-led getaways.
Where does India stand on the global tourism map?
The World Economic Forum’s 2026 Travel & Tourism Development Index ranks 110 economies on factors shaping travel and tourism development. Japan takes the top spot, while India has climbed nine places to rank 31st — here’s a look at the world’s top tourism economies and where India stands among them.
The wine crisis reshaping the global market
France’s wine industry is facing one of its toughest harvests in decades as extreme heat, drought and shrinking demand pile pressure on producers. With output falling, vineyards being uprooted and growers rethinking long-standing rules and practices, the crisis is changing not just French winemaking but the wider global wine market.
Always connected, still lonely: Why young Indians are seeking deeper relationships
A new Match Group-Ipsos survey of 1,000 young Indian singles finds a striking disconnect between busy social lives and emotional connection. While 75% meet people in person more than once a week and 70% actively try to build new networks, 35% say they often or always feel lonely. With work pressures, digital overload and exhaustion getting in the way, many are now prioritising fewer, deeper connections — and looking for long-term relationships rather than casual ones.
Your attention span is shrinking; science has an explanation
We’re spending less time focused on a single thing than ever before — and it’s not simply because of our phones. From sleep debt and stress to constant task-switching, science is revealing what’s really happening to our attention, and how we can train it back.
