New Delhi, July 25 -- I recently cancelled my week-long solo trip to Europe to attend the annual music festival in Salzburg and the fireworks display in Munich. The non-refundable tickets had already been purchased but I decided not to go ahead, dreading the thought of leaving my nine-year-old alone at home with full-time help. I have often travelled alone for work but increasingly it is becoming more stressful than exciting. A huge part of me loves travelling, but another part dreads it-invariably I end up asking myself barely hours before any trip, "What's the point of it?"

Sonakshi Verma, 37, founder of a digital communications and brand promotion agency, echoes the sentiment. She hates taking flights, given her fear of enclosed place...