Nightlife tourism is on the rise.

Travel experts predict that nocturism, or night tourism, which focuses on nighttime experiences, will be a major trend this year.

Rebecca Douglas has been to Iceland 29 times and is booking her 30th trip for one sole purpose: to photograph the Northern Lights. The British traveler began photographing the aurora borealis in 2010 because of her passion for the dancing shades of green, purple, yellow, and blue in the sky. She travels annually to Finland, Norway, Iceland, and the English countryside to capture this colorful optical phenomenon.

Douglas was one of the pioneers of the "noctourism" trend, which focuses on nighttime experiences. Those who enjoy this type of travel often want to escape the daytime crowds and discover the magic of midnight.

A group of Vietnamese tourists watching the Northern Lights in Norway in April 2024. Photo: Dinh Gia Bao

Booking , a Dutch-based online travel platform, has named this the top travel trend for 2025 after conducting a global survey of over 27,000 travelers. 70% of respondents said they had considered destinations with clear skies free from light pollution for stargazing, witnessing once-in-a-lifetime events (blood moon, solar eclipse, total lunar eclipse), and studying constellations. Additionally, travelers wanted to participate in activities such as city exploration , night tours, or camping on a full moon night at sea.

Luxury travel company Wayfairer Travel reports that nighttime travel experiences are expected to increase by 25% in 2024. A large number of travelers are requesting to see the Northern Lights in Norway and Iceland; night diving in the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Red Sea in Egypt. Night wildlife viewing trips in Zambia and Kenya, or stargazing in the Atacama Desert of Chile, are also becoming increasingly popular.

"Nighttime travel is set to revolutionize the tourism industry by 2025 as travelers increasingly seek unique experiences after dark," commented Jay Stevens, CEO of Wayfairer Travel.

Northern Lights in Norway in April 2024. Photo: Dinh Gia Bao

According to luxury travel company Scott Dunn, eclipse hunting could become a highly sought-after experience in the near future. A company representative stated that tourists are increasingly drawn to adventurous journeys to remote areas to witness this unique celestial phenomenon. Greenland is expected to be the next booming destination this year.

However, travelers who enjoy nighttime entertainment don't need to travel too far. Currently, hotels in Hawaii, the US, and Austria offer many stargazing activities. According to NASA, the next total solar eclipse will take place on March 14th and will be visible in many parts of the world , including the Americas, Western Europe, and West Africa.

Douglas wasn't enthusiastic about pre-arranged tours, preferring to plan her own trips to avoid large groups. Besides, large groups often unintentionally cause light pollution from phones and camera flashes, affecting the photographer's experience. She usually travels between August and April, the best season for viewing the Northern Lights, and chooses to stay in remote towns.

"Just a streetlight or indoor light can ruin a photo," the female photographer explained, asserting that taking photos at night is a rewarding experience.

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