Workplace Bonds Beyond Office: Frolleague Travel Gains Momentum In India

What happens when Zoom fatigue meets wanderlust? For many Indian professionals, the answer is a vacation with their "frolleagues." According to the Thomas Cook India Holiday Report 2025, 28% of Indian travellers now prefer travelling with close work friends, marking a shift in how modern India unwinds and connects. 

 Whether it’s a trip to Miami or just a stroll to the tea stall after a hectic shift, professionals — especially from urban and tier-2 cities — are finally moving beyond traditional travel obligations. Instead, they choose emotional relatability and shared vibes. The growing inclination toward frolleague travel is rooted in its unique ability to offer both flexibility and fun, minus the heavy responsibilities that come with family vacations.

Why Shared Deadlines Make for the Best Travel Itineraries

Since colleagues often share similar life stages, work routines, and financial bandwidth, planning a getaway becomes more feasible and stress-free. Getting to know each other outside the office not only builds stronger social connections but also helps professionals strike a better work-life balance. These trips offer a soft escape from the corporate grind — a way to relax without fully disconnecting from the rhythm of daily life.

“Travelling with frolleagues can create deeper emotional bonds and reduce workplace stress,” says Neha Cadabam, Senior Psychologist and Executive Director at Cadabams Hospitals. However, she warns that blurred professional boundaries and underlying office tensions can sometimes spill into the trip — and later back into the workplace. Her advice? Set clear expectations, limit work-related discussions, and make space for personal downtime.

But it’s not all rainbows and skies — frolleague travel comes with its own valid challenges. Power dynamics can be disruptive, making situations awkward, especially when seniors and juniors travel together. Group decisions often lead to friction, and the risk of office gossip spilling out during or after the trip can result in burnout, backfiring, or workplace disputes. That’s why privacy boundaries should — and must — be respected, even among close friends.

Yet, despite these hurdles, the experience holds a deeper meaning — especially for women professionals. For many working women in urban spaces, frolleague travel offers a sense of liberation — a space that feels safe, familiar, and free from family restrictions or expectations. It allows them to build trust, independence, and a stronger sense of individualism in a setting that still feels socially secure.