India, Sept. 27 -- The crackle of a bonfire in a Himachali village, the quiet rhythm of a canoe gliding down Kerala's backwaters, the stillness of a starlit sky in Chopta, the new age of travel in India is less about ticking off destinations and more about slowing down, connecting and leaving behind lighter footprints.

On this World Tourism Day, the spotlight shifts to how sustainability is no longer a lofty ideal for the select few, but a growing force shaping the choices of Indian travellers, tour operators and even state governments.

Santosh Kumar, regional manager, South Asia at Booking.com, notes that "more than two-thirds (73%) of Indians, compared to 42% globally, consider sustainability before booking any part of their trip".

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