Unlocking sleep tourism: What it is and why you should try it

Do you wish you could take a few days off work to wake up in a beautiful place, eat, sleep for at least 8 hours at night, swim, do yoga, and sleep some more? Well, you are not alone. While you are just thinking about it, many are doing it. This is called sleep tourism.
According to a report by Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine, 64% of India’s urban population wakes up before 7 am the highest in the world and 61% sleeps for less than 7 hours a day. Indians are affected by ‘one of the biggest epidemics in the world’, says William C Dement, father of sleep medicine who pioneered the sleep study laboratory at Stanford University.
Experts recommend 7 to 9 hours of sleep for adults at night. People are working longer than ever, and sleeping less. This leaves them longing for a holiday where they can simply escape and rest.
Hilton’s 2024 Trends report found that the number one reason people want to travel this year is to ‘rest and recharge’.
Dubbed ‘napcations’ and ‘dream tourism’, this emerging travel trend is known as sleep tourism. Simply put, sleep tourism is a form of travel focused on helping people achieve restful sleep, unwind, and rejuvenate. Its concept revolves around offering travellers the opportunity to enjoy quality sleep and escape the pressures and stresses of their everyday routines.

Sleep tourism is a form of travel focused on helping people achieve restful sleep, unwind, and rejuvenate. (Photo: Getty Images)

Dr. Rebecca Robbins, a sleep scientist, explains that less than three out of ten adults report experiencing restorative sleep, and studies suggest this lack of quality sleep can significantly affect both our physical and mental health.
“As a society, we focus so often on exercise and nutrition, but we’re only now collectively waking up to the importance of sleep. This has resulted in a rise in sleep tourism, with the idea being that you might return from your travels feeling inspired and recharged.”
A report from HTF Market Intelligence reveals that sleep tourism has become a booming global market worth $640 billion, with projections indicating it will surpass $1 billion by 2028.
Instead of opting for a jam-packed itinerary with little time to relax, exhausted travellers are heading off in search of a restful night’s sleep. Instagram is loaded with posts on sleep tourism, its benefits, and escape from hustle culture.
Furthermore, the Skyscanner Travel Trends 2025 report emphasizes the growing popularity of wellness tourism, noting that 70% of Indian travelers are seeking holistic experiences, and 57% prioritize health during their vacations – an alignment that strongly supports the objectives of sleep tourism.
Hotels and travel companies are jumping on the trend and offering sleep-specific benefits like weighted blankets, pillow menus, relaxing treatments, and even classes with sleep experts.

Chronic sleep deprivation is common in modern society. The quality of sleep directly impacts your mental and physical well-being. Having some shut-eye on vacation allows you to reconnect with yourself and explore your feelings and thoughts.

Chronic sleep deprivation is common in modern society. (Photo: Getty Images)

Our brain benefits deeply from sleep. A good night’s sleep helps improves memory, ideas, and concentration. Deficits in daytime performance due to sleep loss are experienced universally and are associated with significant social, financial, and human costs, according to the Indian Journal of Sleep Medicine report.
Sleep deprivation affects your ability to remember, concentrate, make good decisions, and reduces your reaction time. A sleep-deprived driver has the same poor response time as someone who is legally drunk.
Other risk factors of not getting enough sleep include:
According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, these are the recommended number of hours of sleep based on age: