Emergent Trend among Indian Professionals: The Appeal of 'Frolleague' Outings
In the ever-evolving landscape of work culture, a recent trend has emerged that is reshaping the way Indian professionals approach travel and their professional relationships. This phenomenon, known as "frolleague travel," has gained significant traction, particularly in 2025.
The term "frolleague" refers to colleagues who travel together as friends, blurring the lines between professional and personal relationships. This trend began to gain momentum as workplaces became more informal and travel became more accessible.
Frolleague trips are not replacing family vacations but are an additional form of travel that offers peer bonding, stress relief, and new social experiences. Activities like trekking, wine tasting, yoga retreats, boutique homestays, and low-stakes adventure sports allow frolleagues to bond without the pressure of formal interaction. The usual frolleague choices continue to be domestic destinations like Coorg, South Goa, and the Nilgiris, and international destinations like Sri Lanka, Thailand, Dubai, etc.
The rise of frolleague travel in India is part of a broader shift in workplace culture and travel preferences. As work-life balance becomes more important, professionals are seeking meaningful experiences beyond the office. This trend is reflected in the growing interest in monsoon destinations, where the focus is on experiencing the natural beauty and tranquility of the season.
Several factors contribute to the growth of frolleague travel. Airlines and travel platforms offer discounts during the monsoon season, making travel more affordable. The trend also reflects a cultural shift towards more relaxed and personal connections in the workplace, fostering friendships that extend beyond office hours.
Companies are co-opting the frolleague trend for team-building offsites or subsidizing trips to promote employee wellness and retention. The travel sector in India is adapting to the frolleague trend, offering packages with flexible check-in times, co-working access, and wellness itineraries for small corporate groups.
Mental health experts highlight how spending leisure time with colleagues helps foster empathy and trust, which also reflects in professional spaces. However, to avoid any unpleasant encounters, experts advise clear communication from the outset, aligning on the nature of the trip, respecting personal space, setting budget limits, and agreeing on social expectations.
Despite its benefits, frolleague travel can come with risks such as hierarchies and personality differences getting magnified, travel preferences clashing, and financial arrangements creating tensions if not clarified in advance.
The concept of frolleague had taken roots in Western corporate culture in the 2010s and entered the Indian vocabulary prominently after the pandemic. Travel startups and boutique hotels in India are providing tailored packages for young professionals seeking peer-led experiences, often combining Instagram-friendly facilities with digital detoxification.
Frolleague retreats offer a means for individuals to unwind, express themselves outside of corporate identities, and feel the joy of community in an increasingly transactional society. While the historical data on frolleague travel is limited, it represents a significant shift in how Indian professionals approach travel and workplace relationships.
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- Frolleagues are blurring the lines between professional and personal relationships, as they travel together, not just for work, but also to enjoy a unique lifestyle experience, participating in activities like trekking, wine tasting, and yoga retreats.
- Alongside traditional travel destinations, frolleague choices increasingly include monsoon destinations that offer a relaxing environment for professionals to unwind, foster better workplace relationships, and seek a balance between work and personal life.
