Chennai: There was a time when monsoon meant putting travel plans on hold. Families waited for the summer, and tour operators treated the rainy months as a lull between peak travel seasons. That seems to be changing—welcome to the era of flip climate tours and coolcations, where people travel to destinations with change in weather on mind.Travel companies say more people from Chennai are choosing to travel during the monsoon, drawn by cooler weather, greener landscapes and the promise of experiences that are difficult to find at any other time of the year. While the usual favourites such as Kodaikanal and Yercaud continue to attract weekend travellers, interest is also growing in destinations in Karnataka and Kerala with mist-covered hills, waterfalls and forest stays.“This time we wanted to enjoy monsoon in Kerala. My wife and I visited the Cheeyappara waterfalls in Idukki district. Petrichor is such a stress buster,” said Bharat Varadarajan, who works in an MNC. Meanwhile 50-year-old J Yohanan and his wife are planning a trip to Madhya Pradesh in Aug to enjoy monsoon there. “I saw the tweet by MP tourism and thought of taking a break,” he said.The trend is not limited to domestic travel. Tour operators report strong interest in destinations such as Japan, Vietnam, the Maldives, Mauritius and Ladakh. Pilgrimage routes, including Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar, are also seeing enquiries from travellers. National parks and reserves including Bandipur, Mudumalai and Periyar draw the interest of those seeking immersive nature-based holidays.Rajeev Kale, president and country head, Leisure, Travel & MICE, Thomas Cook (India) Ltd, said that travellers are increasingly seeking to explore destinations that offer unique experiences and natural beauty. “For the upcoming monsoon season, destinations such as Ladakh, Africa for the Great Migration, China, Vietnam and Japan along with pilgrimage circuits such as Char Dham and Kailash Mansarovar, are witnessing strong interest from Chennai travellers,” he added.S D Nandakumar, president and country head–Holidays & Corporate Tours, SOTC Travel, said that improved connectivity and accessibility have played an important role in shaping travel choices. During the monsoon months, Chennai travellers display a strong preference for hill stations and coastal escapes that offer convenience, shorter travel durations and the flexibility of quick getaways.Travel experts point out that today’s traveller seeks meaningful experiences over conventional sightseeing. “We are witnessing a growing demand for eco-tourism, guided rainforest walks, wildlife encounters, farm-to-table experiences, homestays and stargazing retreats. With rising disposable incomes and social media inspiration, travellers are opting for multiple experiential holidays through the year rather than a single annual vacation,” explained Kale.Nandakumar said that Tamil Nadu’s millennials and Gen Z travellers, in particular, are increasingly drawn to spiritual tourism combined with leisure and adventure experiences such as white-water rafting, river rappelling, kayaking and night treks. “There is strong interest from customers across the state’s tier 2 and 3 markets, reflecting rising aspirations and a growing appetite for diverse travel experiences. Social media continues to be a key catalyst, inspiring travellers to explore multiple shorter, experience-rich holidays throughout the year,” he said.Sriharan Balan, MD, Madura Travel Service, said that Europe is extremely hot during this season and people are opting to travel to Australia which is cooler now. “People are also opting for Reunion Islands. For enjoying monsoon, people are heading to South East Asian countries,” he explained.
