Sulogna Mehta
Have you ever booked a holiday to prioritize rest and sleep over conventional sight-seeing, shopping and adventure-packed itineraries? Interestingly, in India, said to be one of the world’s most sleep-deprived nations, the trend of sleep-focussed vacations or napcations is catching up for certain travellers.
What is sleep tourism?
Disconnected from the hustle of stressful urban life, sleep tourism or napcation entails choosing tranquil retreats where one can relax and get an adequate quality sleep in a comfortable bed and undertake restorative and rejuvenating therapies instead of engaging in activities and frequenting noisy hubs to chill out. Recognising the importance of rest and sleep for overall health and productivity, sleep tourism also includes customised programmes for wellness activities such as sleep-enhancing cuisine, aromatherapy, spa and yoga, sound healing sessions for sleep etc.
Surveys and studies report sleep deprivation
According to the travel search engine Skyscanner’s Travel Trends 2024 Report, around 85 % of Indian travellers are now more mindful of their sleep and well-being while travelling and on transit, with 20 % even considering sleep as one of the main activities for their next holiday. The global market for sleep tourism was estimated at $74.54 billion in 2024.
As per a latest survey undertaken by community social media platform LocalCircles, which included over 40,000 participants across nearly 350 districts, 59 % Indians get less than six hours of uninterrupted sleep due to various reasons such as external sounds, distractions caused by mobile phones and other digital devices, medical conditions, frequent usage of washrooms, mosquitoes, early morning schedules or household works etc.
Another research article published in the ‘Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine’ and undertaken by the Department of Life Sciences of the University of Mumbai, states that as per Nielsen study on sleep habits, 61 % of urban Indian populace sleeps for less than seven hours a day.
Sleep-tourist clientele
As per tourism and hospitality industry experts, a 15-20% increase has been observed in demand for sleep-centric wellness stays in the past few years. “After staycations during the pandemic, napcations are among the newest travel trends in the backdrop of competitive business deals, stressful traffic and chaotic city life, demanding projects and their ticking timelines, 24/7 digital burnout. People are becoming aware about the adverse effects of sleep deprivation on the physical and mental health as well as on productivity, which is a medically proven fact. Clients seeking sleep tourism are mainly in the 30-50 years age bracket. They include white-collar professionals, business entrepreneurs, urbanites with hectic job schedules – all of whom prefer sleep tourism for a much-needed holistic wellness experience and they would rather stay at one resort rather than hopping from one site to another,” informs Jatinder Paul Singh, CEO and co-founder of Viacation Tourism Private Limited.
Globally, the sleep tourism trend is largely driven by urban professionals, including corporate executives, entrepreneurs, self-employed creatives, and even high-performing students who experience long work hours, erratic schedules, and chronic stress.
“We noticed a growing interest among professionals from metro cities across India, seeking natural and culturally rooted destinations where they can disconnect from high-pressure environments. The most common reason shared by these travellers is the need to restore balance — mentally, emotionally, and physically,” informs Pardeep Kumar Siwach,deputy general manager (accommodation), Mayfair Spring Valley Resort, Guwahati.
Ideal destinations to check-in and doze off
From reposeful retreats in the Himalayan hills to luxurious seaside sanctuaries, India is redefining relaxation with its sleep-focused or restorative travel and indulgence in the art of slumber. Customized programmes, including aromatherapy, yoga nidra, spa sessions and sleep-inducing cuisine, ensure that guests leave not only well-rested but also rejuvenated and recharged to return to the grind.
Some ideal and popular napcation destinations include the peaceful and less-crowded mountains, hills and forests of North-East such as Meghalaya, sleepy and tranquil Himalayan retreats of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and also those of the Nilgiris like Coorg, Yercaud etc. The seaside destinations of Goa and Kerala are also sought-after. Among the foreign getaways, Bhutan and Krabi island in Thailand are potential places for napcation. Ideally, locations should be somewhere with fresh air, greenery, calm and peaceful vibes, and a laid-back life.
Sleep-promoting diet and therapies
Pradeep further explains, “Sleep tourism is more than just a good bed in a quiet room. It’s an immersive wellness experience that blends hospitality with holistic health practices. Apart from sleep-centric stays, we include customized cuisine with ingredients known to promote better sleep, like herbal infusions, magnesium-rich meals, and calming desserts. Aromatherapy with essential oils such as rose, geranium, eucalyptus, orange and jasmine are used in rooms and spa treatments. We also encourage calming activities like light yoga, deep breathing, meditation, nature walks, stargazing, relaxing spa treatments and digital detox. Some guests try journaling or get guidance on improving their sleep. Also, physical activities like swimming, light hiking, or playing low-impact sports during the day can help regulate energy levels and reduce stress.”
Lifestyle recommendation
Amardeep Singh, General Manager, The Westin Resort and Spa, Himalayas shares, “Those who come for sleep tourism are recommended certain lifestyle changes such as establishing a consistent sleep schedule, avoiding noisy environment, reducing caffeine, sugar, alcohol and pre-bed screen time, minimising usage of electronic gadgets, eating light early dinners, practicing gratitude journaling and breathing techniques, moderate and low-impact physical activities.”
Beyond comfy bed, customised cuisine & therapies
Sleep tourism goes far beyond a comfortable bed. It involves an epicurean experience with sleep-inducing treats like chamomile tea and matcha-chocolate.
Aromatherapy: Use of lavender balm, essential oil, sprays, and aromatherapy eye-masks enhances the sleep environment.
Spa Therapies: Signature Ayurvedic treatments like Shirodhara and Sarvanga
Yoga and Meditation: Mind-body practices including sunrise yoga, breathing techniques and sound healing sessions, rooted in Indian wellness traditions that complement sleep routines by reducing anxiety and grounding the body.
Into the lap of nature with Hiking, cycling, birdwatching, nature photography
Digital detox: Minimising usage or steering away from electronic gadgets like laptops and smartphones.
Creative introspection and ideation: Journaling is encouraged for ideation, creative writing and revaluation of life’s path.
Harish Gopalakrishnan, General Manager, The Westin Goa, sums it up, “Sleep tourism invites guests to shift into a gentler rhythm of living, where every activity is chosen with rest and recovery in mind. To craft a restorative retreat for the guests, we offer a ‘pillow menu’ to suit their sleep style, soothing lavender balm, and calming chamomile tea to help them relax. Guests are also encouraged to explore wellness rituals like nature walks, yoga, spa and curated sound healing sessions using Tibetan bowls or soft frequencies, each helping slow down the nervous system and prepare both the body and the mind for deeper sleep.
