CT Throwback: From Spiritual To Dark, 5 Types Of Tourism That Peaked In 2023

As 2023 nears the end, we’re sure you’ll be rewinding and looking back to see the year that was! Since we’re all on the memory lane of 2023, we’re also recollecting the types of tourism that trended this year. This year saw a wide range of tourism trends in India. From spiritually inclined to sustainable tourism, here are five types of tourism that saw a rise in India in 2023. 

1. Dark Tourism

Thanatourism or dark tourism is one of the top travel trends of 2023. Unlike lively and happy places that people choose while planning a vacation, dark tourism demands mysterious or tragedy-stuck places. Macabre places that have stories associated with death and suffering often feature in this type of tourism. War sites, accident-prone areas, or any other place that has a tragic tale around it. People go to such places for that spooky, eerie vibe.

In India, you can experience dark tourism in places like Bhangarh in Rajasthan, Dumas Beach in Gujarat, Cellular Jail in Andaman & Nicobar Islands, and Roopkund Lake in Uttarakhand. All these places have some tragedy or horror tale attached to them that attracts thousands of people to visit them.

2. Eco Tourism

Eco Tourism is conscious and responsible travel towards the environment and the people of the place you are visiting. This means less generation of waste, minimising the use of renewable resources, and protecting the biodiversity of the place you are visiting. This helps keep the beauty of the place intact while also giving a sense of responsibility to the tourists.

Popular ecotourism places in India include Kerala, Sikkim, Karnataka, Odisha, Goa, and Mizoram – to name a few. These places are brimming with travel options like backwaters, beaches, mountains, forests, and national parks. Thus, adding to the charm of travel.

3. Wellness & Medical Tourism

Just as the name suggests, medical tourism means travelling to different countries for medical facilities. Over the years, India has emerged as a top destination for medical tourism across the globe. With state-of-the-art institutions, facilities, and medical staff, India tops the list of every medical tourist. Cities like Tamil Nadu, Mumbai, Delhi, Kerala, and Kolkata are some top preferences.

Coming to wellness tourism, this type of tourism is a more voluntary exercise to achieve better physical and mental health by an individual. You can indulge in Ayurveda, Yoga, Sidha, or Naturopathy to achieve this. Some popular destinations for wellness tourism are Rishikesh, Mysuru, Bodh Gaya, Ladakh, and Dharamsala.

Also Read: 10 Days Of 2023 Left, 10 Underrated Indian Cuisines You Must Try Before The Year Ends

4. Agritourism – Punjab & Kerala

Agritourism was another popular type of tourism in 2023. It is all about bringing the urban crowd to the rural roots! This kind of tourism sees people visiting farmlands and staying in farm stays to experience the simplicity of rural life. People visit ranches, farms, vineyards, and other agricultural establishments to disconnect from daily life and experience a new culture.

To experience a farm stay and Agritourism here in India, you can visit places like Punjab, Haryana, Kerala, Maharashtra, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Karnataka. These places have farm stays and special activities planned out to make you experience true farm life.

5. Spiritual Tourism

We have come to a full spectrum here! After dark tourism, another trending type of tourism in India this year was spiritual tourism. Owing to its rich heritage, culture, and religious traditions, many places in India flourished because of this kind of tourism.

If you wish to connect with your spiritual side, then there are many places in India that you can check out! Puri, Amritsar, Haridwar, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Char Dham, and Tirupati are some of the most popular examples of spiritual tourism in India.

Cover Image Courtesy: Unsplash & Wikimedia/Bhangarh Fort

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