Dhyaana Stories

A New Design and Travel Shift Shaping Sustainable Travel in 2025

There’s a quiet revolution in how we travel. In 2025, holidays don’t mean ticking boxes on an itinerary but developing meaningful connections. It’s about slowing down, staying longer, and leaving lighter footprints on the planet. This is the year when sustainability takes centre stage, and the future of travel feels more grounded, greener, and rooted in local stories.

Famous novelist Pico Iyer once said, “Travel is the best way we have of rescuing the humanity of places and saving the uniqueness of our souls.” This sentiment rings especially true today as many people search for experiences that don’t just entertain but also inspire, connect, and transform. This transformation of travel differentiates a traveller from a tourist!

Travel has shifted from highlighting picture-perfect hotels to something far more profound. Travellers today crave authentic spaces where the design tells a story about the land, culture, and people. Forget a butler, concierge or traditional luxury mainstay — sustainable travel is about boutique and eco-conscious properties honouring their roots.

Take ours (Dhyaana Farms) as an example. It is located in the peaceful countryside of Aurangabad, Maharashtra, and everything here reflects a sense of the place itself. The earthy tones of the rooms mirror the lush greenery outside, while hand-carved wooden accents nod to local craftsmanship. Even the most minor details, like the textiles and pottery, are inspired by age-old traditions of the region. Don’t go by our words; visit us at Dhyaana Farms and experience it firsthand! You will fall in love with what this lovely farm stay offers, making it one of the best hotels in Aurangabad.

This focus on thoughtful design is a trend you’ll see in many luxury boutique hotels across various regions of India. They’re not just places to stay; they’re living narratives waiting to unfold. The design doesn’t scream for attention — it whispers, drawing you in with warmth and authenticity. And this is the new face of luxury – eco-luxury.

Slow travel is the new luxury.

The pandemic taught us many things, but one of the biggest lessons was to slow down. People are swapping fast-paced itineraries for the art of slow travel. With mindful practices and a nod to eco-luxury, you’re not rushing from one tourist spot to another but instead taking time to breathe, explore, and truly connect to the heart of that destination.

At our luxury farm in Aurangabad, we proudly make the idea of slow travel come to life: waking up to birdsong, strolling through orchards, and plucking fresh vegetables from the farm to cook your meal.

According to Booking.com’s 2021 Sustainable Travel Report, 68% of travellers want the money they spend on travel to return to local communities. Slow travel offers precisely that.

And the best part? Staying longer in one destination significantly reduces your carbon footprint. It’s travel that feels good for the planet and your soul.

Where wellness and sustainability unite

In this age, wellness refers to finding balance, clarity, and connection in the spaces we visit. As a result, the concept of luxury wellness spas has evolved to include more than pampering. It promotes holistic well-being: mind, body, and spirit.

At Dhyaana Farms, wellness is woven into every part of the experience. You can practice yoga on a sunlit patio surrounded by endless green fields, wander through a herb garden that smells like heaven, or sip a cup of freshly brewed chai while watching the sunset. These are the kinds of moments that restore you from the inside out.

Sustainable travel is the future, a green future.

This shift in how we travel isn’t just a passing trend—it’s here to stay. More travellers are choosing places like ours and other boutique resorts in Maharashtra that prioritise sustainability without compromising comfort.

As 2025 unfolds, we’re embracing travel that’s not about “checking in” but about checking into ourselves. The rise of luxury farm stays and slow, soulful journeys is a reminder that travel should heal both the traveller and the planet. All you do is finding beauty not in excess but in simplicity and leave a destination better than you found it.

In the words of Sir David Attenborough, “The future of humanity and indeed all life on Earth now depends on us.” Sustainable travel in 2025 isn’t just changing how we holiday — it’s shaping a brighter, kinder world.

Bookmark your next vacation for an off-road escape to a luxury boutique hotel in India! Experience conscious luxury at Dhyaana Farms, near the iconic Ellora Caves in Aurangabad, in a serene getaway that harmonises indulgence with sustainability, making your travel choices cleaner and kinder to the environment.

Published on: 07 Jan 2024. Images and text by Dhyaana Farms. ■ Follow Dhyaana Farms on Instagram for more immersive stories. For stays, collaboration, private gatherings, and more, write: stays@dhyaanafarms.com