BENGALURU -- In 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic upended the world, Sharath Krishnamurthy made his first scuba dive and was hooked. As a media professional based in landlocked Bengaluru, with the nearest coast 350 kilometers away, pursuing his hobby takes a bit of effort. But he is unfazed. Every vacation now revolves around a dive site.
There are increasing numbers of travelers who, like Krishnamurthy, will happily travel to specific destinations to combine their passion or hobby with a vacation. Some have even given it a name: "hobbiday," a blend of "hobby" and "holiday." The trend made a tentative appearance under that name in 2024 and is now gaining momentum.
