Asha Menon was nearing burnout. The 35-year-old marketing executive from Mumbai had spent years juggling a hectic work schedule with little time for herself. When her therapist suggested she take a break, Asha decided that instead of lounging at a resort, she would try something more invigorating: a week-long cycling and wellness retreat in Alleppey, Kerala.
Her mornings were spent biking through quiet, palm-lined backwaters, while afternoons were dedicated to rejuvenating Ayurvedic massages. “Cycling through Kerala was incredibly peaceful,” she says. “There were no time pressures, just me, the road, and the scenery.
” Asha’s journey is part of a new trend among Indian travellers seeking vacations that balance relaxation with a dose of adventure and fitness, an emerging phenomenon known as sportscation. The trend, which involves vacations centred around sports, fitness, or wellness activities, is gaining traction, especially among urban professionals seeking a break from routine. According to a McKinsey report, about two-thirds of holidaymakers globally include sports in their vacations, with 30% planning trips purely focussed on sports and wellness.
“The demand for sportscations is evolving rapidly; we anticipate continued growth driven by increasing disposable incomes and a desire for experiential travel,” shares Rajeev Kale, president and country head, Holidays, MICE, Visa - Thomas Cook (India). This shift is partly driven by rising disposable incomes and a de.