The upcoming August long weekend, featuring Independence Day, Parsi New Year, and Raksha Bandhan, presents a prime opportunity for travel. Travel agencies and platforms like Thomas Cook, SOTC Travel, ixigo, and Booking.com revealed the top travel destinations for Indians and reported a notable surge in bookings and searches for both domestic and international destinations.
Top Travel Destinations For The August Long Weekend
SOTC Travel noted an increase in interest in destinations like Kashmir, Kerala, Ladakh, Varanasi, Goa, and the Andaman Islands. Notably, there is a growing trend for outdoor and adventure activities, with biking trips, hiking, and camping gaining popularity. This interest is not confined to major cities; travellers from tier 2 and 3 cities are also joining the movement.
Thomas Cook (India) Limited observed a strong demand for domestic travel. Popular destinations include Naukuchiatal, Shimla, Dharamshala, Mussoorie, Mahabaleshwar, and Coorg. These locations are particularly appealing to families, young professionals, and couples seeking a quick escape. The appeal of spiritual destinations such as Varanasi and Amritsar is also evident, with a significant year-over-year increase in flight bookings.
Booking Patterns And Insights
Indians are increasingly exploring international travel. ixigo highlighted a 60-70% year-over-year rise in bookings to destinations like Bali, Thailand, Kuwait, and Singapore. Visa-friendly and short-haul destinations such as Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Vietnam are also gaining popularity. The interest in these places is driven by ease of access and affordable travel options.
The trend of “minications” is on the rise, with travellers making the most of the long weekend for short getaways. Booking.com has observed a trend in booking patterns, with 65% of Indian travellers seeking short domestic trips and nearly half interested in short international escapes. Popular international destinations include Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Paris.
According to ixigo, there is a noticeable increase in flight bookings, with a 40-50% year-over-year growth for travel between August 14-20. This surge is accompanied by a rise in average fares, reflecting the high demand. Domestic destinations like Dehradun, Mumbai, and Goa have seen a substantial increase in bookings, indicating their popularity for the long weekend.
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The August long weekend will see a surge in travel, with travellers showing strong demand for both domestic and international destinations. From spiritual journeys to adventure-filled escapes, Indians are eager to make the most of the holidays, exploring a diverse range of experiences.
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