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A quiet revolution is unfolding in the travel world – one that begins after the sun goes down. Across cities, deserts, forests, and coastlines, travellers are discovering that the night holds its own kind of wonder. The rise of noctourism: the pursuit of curated after-dark experiences, is transforming how people explore destinations. Once associated with nightlife and entertainment, noctourism now spans moonlit heritage walks, midnight food trails, guided safaris, and stargazing escapes. For a growing tribe of explorers, the world feels different – calmer, deeper, and more intimate – once the lights dim. The Rise Of After-Dark Travel According to Rikant Pittie, CEO and Co-Founder of EaseMyTrip, the surge in noctourism is reshaping travel demand in India and globally. “Travellers today are actively seeking to engage with destinations after dark. Between 2018 and 2025, noctourism searches in India have increased by 2.5 times,” he says. “Nearly two-thirds of urban travellers now plan to include dark-sky getaways in their itineraries,” shares. He adds that destinations such as Varanasi, Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Mysore, Goa, and Hanle in Ladakh are leading this shift by blending cultural rituals, night markets, and natural stargazing sites to create memorable after-dark experiences. The trend is not only aesthetic but also strategic. Cities are realising that the 6 PM –6 AM window is an underutilised opportunity for economic growth and creative expression. As Sandeep Arora, Director of Brightsun Travel India, explains, “Policymakers are formalising night-time economy strategies with safety design, extended transport, and late-night attractions. Night festivals, heritage walks, and light art shows are now contributing measurably to tourism GDP.” Darkness As The New Luxury The rise of noctourism also signals a broader cultural shift where darkness itself has become a rare luxury. In a world of constant illumination, the ability to see true night skies is now an experience in itself. “Visitors are increasingly drawn to dark-sky regions to slow down, hear wildlife instead of traffic, and see constellations invisible from their cities,” says Arora. These destinations are turning the absence of light into an asset by training local astro-guides, enforcing light-pollution controls, and creating immersive, sustainable adventures under the stars. Culture, Community, And Connection For Louis D’Souza, Managing Partner at Tamarind Global, noctourism represents “a reimagining of our relationship with time and space.” He adds, “The night is authentic, intimate, and unguarded – a realm where destinations reveal their true essence.” Cities and heritage sites are responding with thoughtful curation – from Agra’s full-moon Taj Mahal viewings and Rome’s Colosseum night tours to Seoul’s neon-lit food markets and Marrakech’s storytelling squares. Beyond the thrill of discovery, these experiences also foster community participation, with locals becoming integral to the narrative through performances, guided walks, and artisan markets. As noctourism continues to expand, it is redefining how travellers engage with destinations. It invites them to explore with heightened senses – to notice the glow of lanterns, the hush of streets, the hum of music floating through the night air. For destinations, it presents a rare opportunity to diversify tourism sustainably while revealing unseen dimensions of beauty. In the end, noctourism isn’t about what happens after dark. It’s about discovering that the night, too, has stories worth travelling for.
