Imagine this. You book a vacation-not to explore ten cafes, chase sunsets for Instagram, or hit every "must-do" attraction-but simply to rest. You show up, toss the phone aside, inhale fresh mountain air, and make silence the soundtrack of your trip. No posts. No plans. No pressure.
Welcome to JOMO travel, the newest vacation trend taking over Gen Z.
What is JOMO travel?
Move over FOMO.
Missing out is becoming the new luxury.
A study by Morningstar finds that more than 70% of travellers now prefer calm, mindful getaways instead of frantic, social-media-driven trips. And Gen Z is leading this shift.
JOMO is simple:
- No Wi-Fi
- No packed schedules
- No pressure to "make content".
- Just presence, peace, and personal space
Holidaymakers increasingly opt for digital detox holidays, slow travel, and nature retreats,trips that allow them to recharge rather than perform.
The psychology behind the shift
According to researchers at FLAME University, the move from FOMO to JOMO reflects a deeper cultural shift: digital burnout.
Constant scrolling, instant notifications, and pressure to be "on" at all times are leaving young people overwhelmed. So, instead of seeking stimulation, they're seeking stillness.
Today, slowing down has become the new status symbol.
Time not things is the new luxury.
A quiet cabin in the hills has more richness in it than a five-star itinerary with back-to-back activities.
Off-grid destinations are booming
From eco-lodges in Kerala to forest cabins in Himachal, and silent retreats in Bali, destinations friendly to JOMO are seeing a rise in interest.
- Travellers are exchanging:
- nightlife → for nature
- Wi-Fi → for wellness
- sightseeing → for soul-seeking
Their proliferation demonstrates the fact that young travelers need not merely breaks but breathing room.
Gen Z is driving the trend Morningstar reports a 45% increase in Gen Z bookings for off-grid getaways for 2025. This generation is rewriting what a “good vacation” looks like. For them:
- A quiet morning walk > A full of tourists tour
- A digital detox > A highlight reel
- A moment of presence > A viral post
They're opting for holidays that help them reconnect with themselves, not with an algorithm.
A new definition of perfect holiday
As JOMO goes mainstream, it reshapes global travel culture. The best vacations are no longer about collecting souvenirs, ticking off landmarks, or proving you had fun online. They're about unplugging, slowing down, and finding joy in missing out. Because sometimes the most memorable moments come from the ones you don't share. And Gen Z is finally giving the world permission to breathe.
