Five-day-long weekend drives holiday frenzy
The confluence of Holi on March 25 and Good Friday on March 29 has created a unique fiveday long weekend. This extended break is driving a significant surge in travel demand, leading to price increases for flights, hotels and even cruise bookings.
Travel companies are witnessing a significant increase in bookings compared to last year. “We have received 16 per cent higher bookings for domestic flights and a whopping 50 per cent increase in international bookings compared to last year,” said Nishant Pitti, CEO and cofounder of EaseMyTrip.
TRAVEL DEMAND
Prahlad Krishnamurthi, Chief Business Officer at Cleartrip, said, “Cleartrip has also seen a 16 per cent rise in domestic flight bookings and a 50 per cent jump in international bookings compared to the previous year.”
Travellers are seeking diverse experiences, with both domestic and international destinations witnessing a rise in popularity. “We are seeing a surge in bookings for Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Jaipur, Mathura, Vrindavan, Varanasi and Amritsar,” highlighted Pitti.
Agoda reports similar trends, with Goa, Mumbai and Delhi topping the list, followed by Jaipur, Udaipur, Mathura, Vrindavan, and Varanasi.
“The consecutive long weekends for Holi and Good Friday provide a unique window for people to plan extended trips,” said Krishna Rathi, Senior Country Director, India Subcontinent and Maldives at Agoda. “Whether people are looking to explore India or abroad, it’s a great opportunity to whet the travel appetite among Indians, which has only increased since the recent waiver requirements.”
International travel is also picking up, with Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket and Bali emerging as the most popular choices, according to EaseMyTrip and Agoda. Recent visa relaxations, especially for Thailand likely contribute to this trend. With demand outpaof visa cing supply, travel companies anticipate a rise in prices. “We expect domestic airfares to hover around ₹5,400 and international fares to average ₹13,000, with slight increases likely closer to the travel dates,” said a spokesperson for EaseMyTrip. Cleartrip echoes this sentiment with similar average fare estimates.
Hotel tariffs are also expected to rise, though specifics weren’t provided. “As more Indians look to expand their horizons, Agoda is committed to offering great value deals on accommodations, flights, and activities at home and abroad to help them see the world for less,” Rathi added.
While bus bookings haven’t significantly risen, EaseMyTrip anticipates a lastminute surge similar to previous long weekends. Fares are expected to climb by 810 per cent, with a growing preference for airconditioned buses.
SOLD-OUT CRUISES
Luxury cruise lines are capitalising on the festive fervour, with Cordelia Cruises reporting soldout sailings for the Holi and Maha Shivratri long weekends, as confirmed by Jurgen Bailom, President and CEO of Waterways Leisure Tourism Pvt. Ltd., Cordelia Cruises.