Explained: Why 'Frolleague' Trips Are Trending Among Indian Professionals

In 2025, a whole new travel trend is being observed among Indian professionals, namely, 'frolleague' getaways. A portmanteau of "friend" and "colleague", the term refers to co-workers who share a personal bond strong enough to transcend workplace and get them to travel together. As hybrid work and with it a blurred professional boundary reshapes the Indian work culture, these getaways are fast making a reputation among Indians and turning into a preferred way for many to unwind, socialise and reconnect beyond the daily grind. Far from being a fleeting fad, frolleague travel reflects a larger cultural shift in how professionals approach leisure, workplace friendships, mental well being at the intersection of travel.What Is A Frolleague? And How Did This Begin?Already in the 2010s, the concept of frolleague had taken roots in Western corporate culture and gradually entered the Indian vocabulary prominently after the pandemic. As work-from-home routines widened emotional distance from traditional friendships, plenty of professionals found unexpected camaraderie in their daily dose of Zoom calls and Slack threads. These bonds, forged through shared deadlines and online work fatigue, blossomed into genuine friendships. In India, where workplace hierarchies have traditionally been rigid, the post-pandemic shift made way for more horizontal relationships, allowing room for friendships across departments and levels.A certain survey from 2024 on Indian travel shows trends of 28 per cent of professionals in cities like Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi having travelled with colleagues in the past year. This was a notable jump from just 8 per cent in 2021. What's more is that the figure only rises sharply among millennials and Gen Z professionals, over 40 per cent of whom say they prefer travelling with their work buddies over family or schoolmates.Why Are Indian Professionals Choosing To Travel With Colleagues?The reasons are both emotional and practical. Frolleagues often tend to be at similar life stages with aligned travel budgets and compatible leave calendars. It becomes easier to plan short trips around public holidays, long weekends, or post-project completions. Beyond convenience, travelling with colleagues also offers a liberation from emotional baggage. Professionals report that such trips help them feel more seen and understood, especially in the backdrop of increasingly alienating work environment.Mental health experts in their turn highlight how spending leisure time with colleagues helps foster empathy and trust, which also reflects in professional spaces. In fact, teams that holiday together have often shown stronger communication, better collaboration and higher productivity at work.Where Are They Going And What Are They Doing?The usual frolleague choices continue to be domestic destinations. Long weekend getaways to places like the hills of Coorg, the beaches of South Goa, or the tea estates of the Nilgiris offer both a considerable escape as well as bonding. Those looking for a more culture-centric capers often head to places like Rajasthan, Varanasi, or Pondicherry. Some who embark on short international breaks orbit to nearby choices like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Dubai and so on, each offering a mix of affordability, comfort and cultural ease.Activities also tend to make it to the list of frolleagues. Trekking, wine tasting, yoga retreats, boutique homestays and even low-stakes adventure sports allow folks to bond without the pressure of formal interaction. Some frolleague groups also incorporate elements of "bleisure", which is business plus leisure. On bleisures, they continue to work and attend meetings from relaxing surroundings of a homestay, or a cabin in the hills.What Are The ChallengesDespite its benefits, frolleague travel doesn’t come without risks. Hierarchies and personality differences can get magnified outside the office. A junior employee might feel obligated to say yes to a senior’s plan, even when uncomfortable. Others may feel overwhelmed by the lack of boundaries when work topics creep into leisure spaces. Travel preferences can clash, and financial arrangements can create tensions if not clarified in advance.To avoid any unpleasant encounter, experts advise clear communication from the outset. Group members must align on the nature of the trip—whether it is meant for relaxation, cultural immersion, or light work. Respecting personal space, setting budget limits, and agreeing on social expectations can prevent misunderstandings and ensure a smooth experience.The Business Of Frolleague TravelThe travel sector in India is adapting quickly to the trend. Packages featuring flexible check-in times, co-working access, and carefully planned wellness itineraries are now available for small corporate groups from a number of travel startups and boutique hotels. For young professionals looking for peer-led experience, travel planners are tailoring packages, frequently fusing Instagram-friendly facilities with aspects of digital detoxification.Additionally, some HR departments are starting to pay attention. Employee wellness budgets are being used informally to support peer-led holiday projects or team outings in companies with progressive work environments. This change, while still in its infancy, suggests that peer bonding will soon be seen as a valid factor in job satisfaction and productivity.What Does This Say About India’s Professional Culture In 2025?The rise of frolleague travel can also be seen as symptomatic of a deeper trend shaping urban Indian life. Professional spaces are no longer confined to fluorescent-lit offices. They are fluid, emotionally charged, and socially significant. As the lines between work and leisure continue to be obliterated, people are choosing relationships that offer both familiarity and friendship.These retreats are more than just vacations for many people. In an increasingly transactional society, they provide a means to unwind, express oneself outside of corporate identities, and feel the joy of community. A defining travel culture that represents the values of a new generation—one that prioritises experiences, emotional connection, and shared progress over conventional measures of success—has emerged from what started out as a casual work friendship.FAQsQ1. What is a ‘frolleague’ getaway?A ‘frolleague’ getaway is a leisure trip taken with colleagues who are also friends—fusing work camaraderie with personal travel.Q2. Why are frolleague trips becoming popular in India in 2025?Post-pandemic hybrid work culture, burnout, and the rise of workplace friendships are encouraging professionals to travel together for bonding and relaxation.Q3. What are some popular destinations for frolleague holidays in India?Hill stations, beach towns, wellness resorts, and quick weekend getaways near metro cities like Goa, Rishikesh, Coorg, and Alibaug are favourites.Q4. Are companies encouraging frolleague getaways?Yes, some companies are co-opting the trend for team-building offsites or subsidising trips to promote employee wellness and retention.Q5. Are frolleague getaways replacing family vacations?Not entirely. They are emerging as an additional form of travel that offers peer bonding, stress relief, and new social experiences alongside traditional vacations.Explained: What Are Carbon Passports And How They Could Impact Travel, Tourism And Frequent Flyers